borderline

borderline

 

 

the sparrow lies prostrate

wing broken

a groundling now

prey for the fat cats

who molest the poor

tear apart their nests

break up families

 

another child chirping

helpless

attachments flew away

orphaned 

the world will digest him

other birds will glance

from below heaven's cloud

 

as they become disinterested passersby

because they have no choice.

 

 

erin-cilberto

5/29/23

Reviews

[FGFRANKLIN]

This was a good read. Did you know that squirrels often eat baby birds as well as eggs in the nest? It's true. So some of the squabbling we see at the feeders between birds and squirrels isn't only about who gets the sunflower seed. Birds and squirrels are actually mortal enemies.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and sometimes the rich and the poor are as well, but it is too one-sided.
Thank you for your metaphorical reply.
j.

[FGFRANKLIN]

It may be, but consider this, in the battle of "survival of the fittest" those who have more real experience at actual "survival" might have a pronounced edge in the game. The danger of having everything always provided for you is that you obtain no knowledge or skill at how to provide for yourself. I'd like to drop a few of those spoiled rich off in the wilderness without Bear Grylls as a guide. Sometimes "knowledge" depends upon what you know about your immediate surroundings and how you can apply that to survival more than facts and figures learned in a classroom. The perspective may be contingent upon the situation. There's a fairytale story I read to both my daughters called The Plain Princess by Phyllis McGinley
that relies upon the gaining of that very perspective. It may be a form of conceptual semantics enlightened by necessity.

[lovelymarina]

Jacob,

You never fail to amaze me.. the way you compose words to create such a vivid image is truly a gift... Yes, I will pray. The world is falling apart as we know it. Thank you for another captivating poem...

-Marina

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I really appreciate you stopping by this one, marina,
soon, there will be no world left to fall apart.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Great metaphor J. Yes the fat cats in big business and government are only interested in making mega bucks, they do not care about the poor, or inflated food and energy prices. People are being made homeless because of increasing rent and mortgage interest payments. The cost of living is disturbing. The title borderline made me reflect on the children of refugees and immigrants who are separated from their parents. That is cruel beyond words. Twenty first century living for you. What a mess.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very understanding review, Chris.
j.