a screaming sky

a screaming sky

 

 

in late September

an October man came to see me

his breath reeked of winter decay

 

I offered him a blanket

he declined, citing

the white one he brought with him

 

the one to cover

our mouths

with the flakes of lies

an air of indifference

 

and we all died

on cold ground

inverted lives

abandoned dreams

virus vexation

 

spewing ashes toward an adverse enigma

we are led to our own funerals

like Hitler's army of clones

 

in late September

I felt the chill of January

a new year coming

 

and nothing I can do to stop it.

 

 

erin-cilberto

10/9/2020

Reviews

[Rose]

Wow. It hits you with such force! Such realism and yet the metaphors are so powerful! I can visualize it so well! My favorite line, by far, is the "His breath reeked of winter decay." Amazing and lovely as always ❤️

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Rose,
j.

[barleygirl]

This is the most powerful piece I've read that alludes to the current pandemic, brilliant in its subtlety to draw the parallel to blankets infected with small pox & given to Natives which wiped them out. That image alone kinda drops the reader to his/her knees, as we picture the current basket of misinformation spewing from the macho man who wrestled his immunity (in such a manly way) from this puny adversary, and the suffocating effect of his mesmerizing diatribes on the ignorant masses. And then your parting shot is the butt-kicker . . . to watch so many willingly taking these lie-infested blankets & smooshing their faces into them with glee. It's unfathomable to watch & feel so powerless to bring clarity to those who want to give it all up for these blankets (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Margie...I appreciate your understanding.
j.

[light and ashes]

So much of this reminds me of my favorite book, "The Book Thief," by Markus Zusuak. The majority of the book is told by the point of view of death. It is a fantastic book, if you haven't read it. I highly recommend it. This poem would fit in there very well. This is amazing work.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for the heads up...and your kind words,
j.

[light and ashes]

You're welcome!

[Ted Kniffen]

I read different ideas in this j. The approach of late fall/early winter and the troubling ncertainty of the seasons soon to be upon us. The "second wave" + the flu may be more than we can mentally handle ... we are on the cusp of something we don't understand and which we are being inundated with more info than necessary it seems.
As for that "chill of January" ... there is a choice to be made ... not an easy one either ... who will be the January man? The king of the twitterverse or yesterday's man who can't seem to remember what office he is running for.
What a choice.

We are having our own issues with the photogenic jackass leading our country down the garden path to a new green oblivion.

Alas and alack ... decisions ... decisions.
Good luck. Take care ... be safe.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I like that..."The January Man" reminds me of that movie with Kevin Kline, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantoino...Alas and Alack.
j.

[Lorry]

I do like your more modern and updated version of "Now is the winter of our discontent" here Jacob, says I, as I automatically turn up the heating a degree or four, while wondering where that chill that ran down my neck came from. It is going to be such a long winter, like watching game of thrones on continual loop until spring time.
All I can think to say is, I hope that october man isn't the november man too and someone tells him, "YOU'RE FIRED! 😀

[jacob erin-cilberto]

but will he pack up his belongs...or adhere to his longing to stay...
thank you, Lorry,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

When I read the copy of this you sent me, I was very much thinking of politics. Reading it again it could also apply very much to the current situation with the virus. Some people just don't care about its spread and I fear it is going to be a very harsh winter with many more deaths. So pleased your break was short Jacob. You are missed greatly when you aren't here.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Chris,
j.

[Cherrie]

The world from our childhood is lost, it is no more than a side note to our memories, and around the corner, something, something we know not.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Cherrie,
j.

[Neville]

hiding behind masks aint the entire solution, but it sure helps reduce the spread and fallout ... I feel so sorry for all those brainwashed into thinking otherwise ... I too feel the grip of January coming but am optimistic that a new Spring will be hot on his heels .................. nice un jacob and then some sir..
N.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Neville,
j.

[Marina]

Political again here, with the virus effects and the uncertainty of the new year rolled into one poem of flagging enthusiasm for what the future may hold in these times of turmoil. It is very easy at the moment to become disenchanted with the world and the way it is chugging along. We are being led by leaders who appear to have less of an idea to combat the virus and offer solutions than we ourselves can offer and it makes for an uncomfortable picture for the coming year. The "Hitler clone" line is very appropriate; we know we are being led down the mortuary path but are powerless to stop it. I sure hope 2021 is a better year but I myself am struggling to find any silver linings. 💛

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, very uncomfortable...
thank you, Marina,
j.