Would you like to sit this one out?

Would you like to sit this one out?

 

 

marigolds country-line dance

as bombs provide the soundtrack

a bleeding nation serves as the slippery floor of fate's D.J.

 

He speaks between songs and bombs

in some foreign accent,

nobody moves

they just watch the flowers

get blown to bits

 

the garden filled with empty seats

the women partners with severed limbs

can't dance or hold hands or carry their dead babes

 

to graves

but he sleeps at night just fine,

listens to Tchaikovsky as he tucks his conscience

 

against his red pillow,

the color of what is on his hands

 

the ones he still has,

unlike the missing dance partners

in a land that has become 

a bland field of headless stems.

 

 

erin-cilberto

8/5/22

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

The horrors of war know no end. You juxtaposition them here against the mundane beauty of common flowers; a beauty unappreciated in a living nightmare. Very strong imagery and scenery none of us wish to visit or have thrust upon us but a necessity to be aware of, always aware.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for making me feel my work might be relevant....
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

Marigolds were the first Flowers I remember my Mother planting…. Bright orange yellow… like the Sun. I met Roger at a Country line-Dance… What are the Chances that Roger had PTSD from
Bombs over Laos … taking care of Veterans is a Play on Words… A Wall full of Names.. Well versed with Honor. Now the foreigners are buying thousands of Acres of our Land… “Our Country Tis of Thee … Sweet Land of Liberty. Amen

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I thank Roger for his service, Pat.
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

So Sweet of you to thank Roger. He was a Navigator in a Refueling Recognizance Plane… they only had Fuel on their Plane to refuel Jets in the Air. Once Roger navigated by the North Star when the Instruments were not working. He later .. after that .. went to New York University and passed the Bar… He spent his entire Career helping Veterans obtain their Benefits, especially the most difficult cases where there were many Issues. He is an Unsung Hero.. as are many Veterans. Thanks, Jacob… I will pass your thank you to Roger… we are enjoying the end of Summer. Be blessed.. always… your Poetry is so Good… I am chasing Clouds of Wonder… where I see Images in the Sky. Gently, Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

Yes, I would like to sit this one out, as I have no limbs with which to dance, while the bombs go off, but thank you for asking.....our country is torn apart, and my family is dead.... other than that I'm fine... many soldiers have died too.... when will this war ever end?...then when the bombs stop, you can pick me up and dance with me in your arms....
Great!
Best, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is a powerful reply, dear Betty...very powerful...
it is better than the poem.
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

No way J….but thank you….and you’re very welcome too!
Best, B

[Bryan Sefton]

It's amazing isn't it? One man speaks and thousands follow. The world divides and we have war. And we can't find a substitute. So we all fall down like it's a game.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, unlike Weebles...we DO fall down.
thank you for your insight, as always, Bryan.
I value your visits,
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

Poor people, who live in war torn areas. The sound of war become norm. Your description was honest and true. A scary world for many Jacob. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I just wish poets could be heeded more...and wars would just stop...they achieve nothing.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Jacob.