as the Footnote to Howl becomes an afterthought

as the Footnote to Howl becomes an afterthought

 

 

 

phases of revolutions

the movements put asunder

peace signs scribbled

with misspellings

and awkward punctuation

when ellipses are drawn

but there is no carrying on,

only periods

defined by endings

love dies

marches resume only in a few minds

and others who used to not mind at all

suddenly don't care

 

phases under erasure

a cog in the political machine

a cog in protesting the gears

to try to stop them from moving

and burying us in their wake

 

if only we would wake up

put an extra cube or two of sugar in our coffee

and sweeten the cup of resentment

till it scorches our tongues enough to use them again

 

voices of voices over silence

poetry screams

but off the page, 

just mute syllables

that don't care if they count anymore

 

iambic pentameter died with the old poets

and the sixties might have died with the Beats

there is still a pulse

recognized in current poetic content

 

but is there enough discontent

to resuscitate the heartbeat of concern

and for the matter to matter?

 

erin-cilberto

9/1/19

Reviews

[h d e rushin]

there are few poetic revolutionaries.....and certainly no poem revolutions, or revolutions that spur poetry, or poets that allow a receptive state of mind predisposing to revolutionary acts. "howl" was the revolution not the cruel and crumpled queer Ginsberg....and certainly not in 1959. I feel you brother on this one.

"the young and foolish laugh at love
so they slowly run away
confident and sure that fate
will bring another love their way" the Four Tops.."Just Ask the Lonely"/

your amazing...dana

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind review, dana
and yes, great Four Tops song...one of their first hits...not a big chart topper but a terrific song nonetheless.
j.

[h d e rushin]

yes it was brother...a great, great song.

[kentuck14]

Enjoyed the jam of images . . . you make protest real in that real protest comes with emotion . . . and one can sense it here . . . to the point that all the images are somewhat never complete . . . hard to express the full meaning. As far as we see real concern . . . I feel as Margie . . . the young are too wrapped up in personal angst and cannot get out of their bubbles. Not all mind you . . . but too many. Concern requires critical thinking . . . and our present age avoids that like the plague!
T

[jacob erin-cilberto]

amen to that Tom...thank you for your insights.
j.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Your message is so strong here J. Yes, where are the angry voices, the Ginsbergs, of today? “If only we would wake up”- your brilliant verses exhort us to care, to act. “Voices of voices over silence..poetry screams..” Your poetry screams a warning to wake us from our societal torpor. “But is there enough discontent..to resuscitate the heartbeat of concern..and for the matter to matter?”-greatest lines, and question, ever. I hope there is a viable answer. Kudos on this MasterClass write.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind review, Annette,
j.

[barleygirl]

Your poem is thought-provoking with sharp references woven thru-out. Your msg makes me wonder if the younger generations have the intensity & perseverance to bring about necessary change. From reading the outpourings of the youthful, I get an impression many are howling, but it's more from personal psychic pain, not so much looking outward to rampant injustices, planet-wide. Your questioning has often crossed my mind as this toilet flush swirls on & on . . . is the resistance ever going to be as highly-fueled as perpetrators seem to be? (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you are so insightful, Margie...thank you for your words,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

We live in a world where there is much divide and hatred. It fester continually. We don't need any new conflicts to add to the problem, there is plenty left from past endeavours to sadly keep everyone nourished in negativity. Not sure I fully understood your intentions here Jacob, but this is how your lines spoke to me.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Chris,
j.

[nazia]

Mutiny, rebellion and war. They do not need a cause anymore. Old discontents, meaningless feuds all are enough for people to devour one another.
A though provoking piece of work. .. Kudos :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful review, nazia,
j.

[Kesch (Finding Julia)]

poetry screams
but off the page,
just mute syllables

love this part, this is very good. enjoyed this

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Kesch.
j.

[Lorry]

Just when you think the discontent would be at boiling point, it turns out it's just simmering along. The rebels have no cause anymore, despite ongoing proof to the country.
Maybe the settlers have finally settled for indifference Jacob. Pity.
We are the last audible echo of that time and someone needs to revive shouting a bit louder.
The last line sums it up perfectly.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your understanding words, Lorry,
j.

[Lorry]

You're welcome. And I meant contrary, not country. Damn predictive text.