the Band

the Band

hapless, helpless, homeless

as hellaciously heartless heathens

profess such rabid faith

they foam prayers at the mouth

while concussed on hypocritical percussion

beating their own drums loudly

but not even hearing one quiet strum

of those below the stage

singing a song of desperation, starvation

expiration

we are all excommunicated before the last gospel

is read,

humanity is dead

in the water

even Jesus

refuses to walk upon.

erin-cilberto

11/25/22

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

Our earth is ruined; our people are ruined.... the hapless freaks who spread the gospel don't even know what's going on "down there in the dumps" ... "below the stage"; they are too caught up in their faith...but little do they know they are not accepted by Jesus.... so all humanity is ex-communicated; I suspect the "band" is the what's below(?) we have wrecked ourselves and our planet....and not even Jesus can fix it....
PS I don't believe in Jesus, hell, the bible, etc....but this poem is a more than that!!!
Best, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I appreciate your review very much, Betty,
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

you're very welcome J.
Best, B

[Jon Mahaffie]

I think your poems with religious overtones/references are your best. Something nearly universal to all of humanity, different flavors, scents, and sounds, but often pointing at the same universal truths. Everything we do as humans either recreates worship or warfare, every single aspect of our lives not tied to sleep, shitting, or sustenance, and that definitely includes sporting events (I'm thinking football and soccer (hello, World Cup!), cable news, video games, social media, etc; Once our attention spans and senses of self are completely shot, there's no way we'd even be receptive to a last gospel once manifested. The human-generated "waters" Jesus refuses to walk on are probably of the same sort he saw on the pinnacle of the temple after having fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, that Satan was tempting him with. You can change this, you can control this, prevent this, if you bow down and worship me. Jesus probably wanted to. Prophetic. He knew how bad it would get.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very insightful words, Jon,
j.

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

To walk on the water required faith, but also a reason. Peter needed Jesus to command him to follow/walk on the water. But I forget Jesus' reasons. Idk, the last stanza brought something out of me. This is a powerful write. The world is in such a bad place. I just read a poem Coyote wrote expressing the same. Nicely penned. tyfs

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Cyprian,
j.

[Scott Kris]

Ouch!!!
And yes, this place is dead already.
Thankfully there is hope and sparks of the Devine still shine in our human experience.

There really is so much truth in this poem. From the neglect of those in need to Jesus being done with this state of humanity.
We will only have His Ghost until all is made new. But I get into theology here. And, oddly, so much of human history is based in theology. Making us all the more dead while trying to be more alive.

You might help me understand the title?
Maybe we are all just playing our part in the band of this world? Hmmm? Maybe this and much more I assume.

You poetry has the unique quality of meaning several things at once and could also just be emotion beyond assignment of meaning. Just a response, an observation… a theoretical fact to base the next exploration of thought.

I moved the experience of reading and contemplating this poem.

Scott.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

probably all of those, Scott.
thank you for your words,
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

biting satire .. hypocrisy is a major stumbling block for us all .. would we ridded ourselves of it .. perhaps the world would come to terms with itself .. the consonance is scathing as presented .. rich history in the Church .. in scandals, lies and ....... hypocrisy; but also the Faith that Jesus himself taught his Apostles .. gave them authority and set up a hierarchy to make needed decisions .. is preserved with it's stains there is also much selfless giving ... incredible closing line sir .. one of the best says i! what a horror to think Jesus would feign to walk among our muck and mire ...after all that was done to the Christ .. an innocent lamb .. He yet forgave and I dare say, forgives us still ;) powerful and thought provoking poetry sir .. love the impactful consonance!
E.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

oh my, do I ever appreciate this review...
so much hypocrisy....so much
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes :(.....................

[willweb]

This poem makes me wonder. I think back to when I was a 17 year old hippie, listening to my father speak of the state of the country, disliking when we would flash the peace sign, the world was going downhill fast. I couldn't see it and probably would have paid it no mind had I looked. Now as I am much older I wonder...do I sound like my father? I look at the world and I believe I see the same things he saw.

This felt a bit angry and understandably so. Its message does not fall unheard to the ground. And once again I wonder...what will my grandchildren think of the country, the world when they are my age?
Nicely crafted Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

ah we went through much of the same...my parents' generation just didn't understand us at all....most notably me. You understand where this came from...

j.

[W. Barrett Munn]

This sounds as if were written after being subjected to a rally for Trump. It id s good but demoralizing poem.

Winston

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Winston,
j.

[John the Baptist]

Yes, that band is beating their drums louder and looking for revenge in the coming year. Their messiah couldn't walk on water, but he can wallow in the mud with the worst of them.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, wallowing with the best of them.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

We have lost the plot. We are led by spineless and corrupt politicians. Money is the new religion, nothing else counts and organized religion is responsible for most of the unrest around these days. I long for the days in the past when life was uncomplicated. I am showing my age. Hell is here on earth and heaven? Well I did once believe it existed. Strong write J and fab alliteration.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Aye Aye....on the organized religion comment...
holy holy holy holy cow they are out of control....and just as disdainful
j.

[red93]

A cry of existential angst here, and powerful too. When so much is wrong with the World, where does one begin ?
Excellent Work ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, where does one begin...good point, red...
j.