Presence

Presence

A Poem by jacob erin-cilberto

Presence



the smell of plastic pine
simulated cones on rubber Wreaths
white blank bulbs pulsating with light

Angels baffled at the sight
shepherds in confusion
follow neon stars
deep into a city night

a jolly old man
mugged in Central Park
someone said his name was Nicholas
his stolen sled a new statistic

it's the eve of the day
reindeer splattered on the highway
trying to hitch rides
to yesterday's holiday

because today there is no heart
merchandising too much a part
of what once was a First Noel
but now has turned from a Midnight Clear

to a world of fear
as the Drummer Boy's beats
get slow and heavy
and two feral elves

pass by a burnt-out Chevy
some charred Christmas wrapping
and a baby in a cardboard manger
fearing for his life.


erin-cilberto
12/23/19

© 2019 jacob erin-cilberto


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as the Drummer Boy's beats
get slow and heavy
and two feral elves

pass by a burnt-out Chevy

Absolutely fantastic lines. Unfortunately, Christmas is so commercialized now. I think some people don't even know what the holiday means. Goodwill toward men lasts for one day.....and then it's back to the old routine. Very sad. If Santa really came down chimneys, he would probably be shot. Excellent write here, Jacob. Merry Christmas to you...which seems like the wrong thing to say after this review! Lydi**

Posted 4 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

4 Years Ago

oh geez, good point...he probably would be shot.
so much fear and mistrust these days...
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Gee
Just about sums up Christmas, or the world that is portrayed in the media these days.
Surely there must be much more good than bad in the world Jacob.
Loved this
Merry Christmas Jacob, hope you have a great day :))

Posted 4 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

4 Years Ago

let us hope there is...thank you for your words, Gee...and Merry Christmas to you as well.
j.
When Santa applies for a concealed carry permit, you know we're in trouble.

Posted 4 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

4 Years Ago

geez, John...it sure does feel like that might happen one of these days soon.
think he would .. read more
John the Baptist

4 Years Ago

Good question. A guy who runs around in a red suit and wriggles down chimneys might be denied for me.. read more
And we still can't think beyond our own Christmas trees and over-decorated homes...beautifully written...

Posted 4 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

4 Years Ago

thank you, DIVYA,
j.
Have yourself a merry little christmas. This is what we have, ho, ho ,ho. I wonder if cretain leaders will get ghosts visiting tomorrow night?

Posted 4 Years Ago


Ken Simm.

4 Years Ago

Had to let him go down to England and my daughter Jacob. He was too fine and not flourishing up here.. read more
jacob erin-cilberto

4 Years Ago

absolutely beautiful...and glad you had gotten to ride him...bet he misses you as well. Animals love.. read more
Ken Simm.

4 Years Ago

Don't know about Mooey. His name is dutch it means beautiful but my two dogs. Yes unreserved love. M.. read more
There are presents and presence and what I know as I grow older is that the true meaning of Christmas is lost. Gone forever. It has become a commercial exercise which starts earlier and earlier each year. Expectations are high, and parents want to please their offspring. Presents get more and more expensive and how difficult that becomes for those on low incomes. I remember a time where I was thrilled to get a paint box and I spent the whole of Christmas painting nativity scenes. I wanted to bring the presence of the Lord into my home. Yes in those days I truly believed. Nowadays we would do well to remember the less fortunate at Christmas. Think of others and show some goodwill.

When I read your lines my heart sank at the contrast of what was and what now is. Depressing, but so true, particularly in our cities.

Chris

Posted 4 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

4 Years Ago

thank you for your understanding and compassionate words, Chris.
those days are gone...just m.. read more
The first thought that popped into my mind was "new age poetry" which is truly a reflection of the times. I found myself enamored by the comparisons between what is and once was. You've created a piece that is at once both tangible and intangible by contrast. Maybe France was onto something with the telling of Krampus.

Posted 4 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

4 Years Ago

thank you for your kind review, AA...
j.
I hear you Jacob, see the wounds and the heart-aches of a cruel world... your words, necessary and urgent tear off the cover of the façade of "joy to the world, goodwill toward men".... I am not a believer in any gods, nor in immaculate conception.... but the world does not have to be this way, the needed charities mentioned below by Dale and you show how we could organize society differently.... there is no shortage of resources or people to solve these difficulties.... but there is a shortage of the understanding and willingness to do what needs to be done.... and this I think is what makes the madness so hard to take and so openly raw...

Jacob your poem is a manifesto of sorts and one that we need to listen to and heed... thank you for writing it...

Posted 4 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

4 Years Ago

thank you for your kind review, Curt....love your understanding of the missing Goodwill toward men.<.. read more
We have seen good and bad places. I went to Africa on food, water and medicine missions in the nineties. I learn. My life, not so hard. Here in Michigan. Many good charities helping the poor. In our world, sameness is still alive. Rich people getting richer and the poor. Forgotten. A wonderful realism poem. Thank you Jacob for sharing your amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

Posted 4 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

4 Years Ago

thank you for your kind words, and thank God for those charities...bringing back some of the real me.. read more
Coyote Poetry

4 Years Ago

The charities are needed and you are welcome Jacob.
Amazing and true...deep out of the heart of you...when we look deeper we see what’s true...just wonderful as always...🌹half ppl celebrating without knowing or caring about the meaning..,no belief ....sad but true...🌹

Posted 4 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

4 Years Ago

thank you for your words, Kelly...
j.
&lsquo;Thoughts In Time&rsquo;&#127801;

4 Years Ago

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

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Added on December 23, 2019
Last Updated on December 23, 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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