imagination most wanted

imagination most wanted

i have been trafficking words

for years,

many without their consent

blindfolded

moved around a page

added to a line

because it makes poems happy

and  a successful write is proposed ransom

one never paid,

no wasted intellect,

wasted verbiage

getting away

the process is nearly foolproof

nothing can go wrong

the law of semantics will never catch me

until it does,

and the punishment

is solitary confinement 

without the company

of one inspiration.

erin-cilberto

10/29/22

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

Sticks and Stones May break your Bones… but Words are treasures to set us high where Eagles fly…. Born to gather like Eagles and be a Symbol of Freedom from tyranny… for ever and ever… Amen… Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes to that, Pat...
thank you,
j.

[AYVID N]

If words could speak, they'd have so many grudges against us. It wouldn't be pleasant to be tried in their court. The punishment at the conclusion of the poem seems scary enough.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

what a great reply...but now I am a bit scared of the words....:)))
j.

[Laz K.]

wow, what a great extended metaphor! it's fascinating to wonder about the nature and teh process of writing. this meta-text does it so well while being entertaining, fun, but also containing a few drops of bitterness. "trafficking words," "the law of semantics" - taken in context, these phrases are genius!
creative work is its own reward - or sometimes, punishment.
fantastic write!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind words, Laz.
j.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Just love this my favourite verse the last !! Well done I say

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Julie,
j.

[W. Barrett Munn]

Inspriation comes from pushing a pen across the page. Until it doesn't. Then what? Then keep pushing until the pen runs dry. And then open a vein.

Winston

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Winston,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

A terrific metaphor here J. Your opening line grips the reader and that final stanza, what a curse and punishment that would be. Don't want to think about it.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

as poets, we all don't want to think about that....but god, it does happen doesn't it?
thank you, Chris,
j.

[andrew mitchell]

A library of words and knowledge you are J. And how well you apply your craft to paper. Another great piece.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for the kind words, andrew,
j.

[Lorry]

Perfect Jacob. I've been looking for a new dealer, so if you've got them, I'll have a dime bag of nouns and a few grams of vowels please. 😊

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Okay, but not here, Lorry....
meet me around the block, in that doorway where we won't be seen.
j.