Belial's Secret

Belial's Secret

A Poem by jacob erin-cilberto


Belial's Secret

 

 

 

sarcastic angel

clipped wings of freedom

chained in guardianship

of her own sustenance

 

in the alley way

the needle,

she's given up prayer

believes only in what goes into her vein

 

as she slips into semi-consciousness

she remembers a certain statue

in a church of familiarity

 

but then the image

dilutes against her will to live

she now wants to fly away

to a god,

she quit believing in

 

when she decided only addicts could soar

high enough to make a difference.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

2/16/19

© 2019 jacob erin-cilberto


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Reviews

Beautifully written. The tragedy of an angel clipping her own wings is a powerful image, and so fitting for the prolific horrors of addiction.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your kind words, Sylvia...
j.
the young men are falling and so are the maidens
It is a sorry situation

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your words, john,
j.
the devil loves to deceive .. its the core of a fallen angel's vain imaginings ... reading your poem moves me jacob ... the addicts life not well understood, even by the best intentions, by anyone but another addict .. i think it is a nightmare ...an illness whose cost can not be measured .. and they are from all walks of life ... no "section" of society is immune :(((((((((((( and if empathy, finished with the praying, turns to a bit of anger ... i am reminded of:
https://youtu.be/3XqyGoE2Q4Y
you remember that one eh!? a moving write sir ...love and peace on ya
E.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

oh my yes, "god damn the pusher man"
yep....thank you for your kind and insightful review, E... read more
This is a grim one. As I recall, Belial was one of the rebel angels in Milton's "Paradise Lost." In this case, the rebel is a female heroin addict who long ago stopped believing in anything but her drug of choice. This time, however, she has overdone it and is losing consciousness. Panicked, she longs for the God of her youth. We are not told how it turns out, but must be satisfied with a good cautionary tale. Well done.












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Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your kind review, John,
j.
' .. as she slips into semi-consciousness .. she remembers a certain statue .. in a church of familiarity.... but then the image - dilutes against her will.... '

Seems incredible that someone can melt a reader's emotions about that dark devil and such an evil addiction. However, j., you've an extraordinary skill - and insight, so, can create refined phrases about virtually anything, whether beautiful or the ugliest area of a bloodstained iceberg.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your kind review, em,
j.
Although I don't review each poem you post, each one is gripping in some way. Here, each line leads into the next and makes me want to read till the end. Sadly, there are many poems here I've read on the site that are only as good as the first couple of lines if even that. It's then I lose my interest.

This poem is a moving testament to the needle and the damage done. ("every junkie's like a setting sun.") Who knows what goes through the mind of someone in that state. I saw a man on youtube high as a kite jump off a building thinking he could fly.

Your reference to religion makes this poem all the more moving.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your kind review, Relic,
j.
A story for many in the poetry Jacob. Need drugs or alcohol to be alive till they kill you. Powerful and worthwhile words shared my friend.
Coyote

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your words, Coyote,
j.
Coyote Poetry

5 Years Ago

You are welcome my friend.
Interesting use of wordplay and dramatic phrasing. Belial even rebelled against Satan because he saw him as gone soft. His blood certainly flows ominously through the veins of his weakened victims - a tragic poison and uncomfortable dimension of today's sad society ... great write Jacob...:-)

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your kind review, Phill,
j.
When people get high they will believe anything, like they will never come down.
Quite a ;powerful piece of writing.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your kind words, Dale,
j.
what a tragic ending :(
well written.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you, Ana,
j.

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Added on February 20, 2019
Last Updated on February 20, 2019

Author

jacob erin-cilberto
jacob erin-cilberto

Carbondale, IL



About
Originally from Bronx, NY, I live in Carbondale, Illinois...teach English at a community college and have been writing and publishing poetry since 1970. I am here to read for inspiration from other po.. more..

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