the worm at the bottom of the bottle

the worm at the bottom of the bottle

 

 

a journalist's nightcap

tequila in the taxi ride home

the story to be printed tomorrow

 

half-facts, half-manufactured

at the factory for inflatable mistruths

the old cat sleeps on the hood

 

it is warm and believable

like the child's game,

getting warmer, warmer

 

hot, now

the story is out in the morning

as the moon fell for the byline

and the sun rose with the headline

 

and the presses took a vacation

just when the answers

were printable

the comic strips oozed sarcasm

 

with every caption

the hung over reporter

covers the eyes

as the glare of sincerity

 

rips the conscience

into shreds,

and the paper, like tinder

burns too easily.

 

 

erin-cilberto

5/26/2023

Reviews

[John Sullivan]

As a former student journalist, I must protest! :p

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Sorry, John...but there are those who just want to uncover the truth, not be stars.
thank you,
j.

[John the Baptist]

What do you call a hundred journalists chained together at the bottom of a lake? A good start.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, a good start...
thanks, John,
j.

[FGFRANKLIN]

For some reason this reminded me of Hearst and the yellow journalism that brought about the Spanish-American War. America bought into a war solely based upon the rumors of unethical reporting. It's mind boggling really but more and more we see how such things could be in observing our media today. When a ship sinks and the first thing we look for is a scapegoat to blame instead of the reason behind the actual explosion we get an idea of the mindset of a particular flight of the psyche. I've seen it in so many cases, let's place the blame and move on. But to actually address a problem at its root cause and look for a solution to prevent further accidents and incidents seems too labor intensive for some. It's easy to point a finger in blame. It's a bit harder to fix the issue. This was an interesting and thought invoking read. I enjoyed.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your in-depth review, Fabian.
j.

[Ted Kniffen]

I remember being told ... believe half of what you see, but none of what you hear.

Advice that unfortunately escapes those who accept social media as God's own truth. Anything and everything is fair game and the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

I knew quite a few reporters in the 60's when I worked for the local newspaper ... they did tend to imbibe a bit but it never seemed to affect their writing.

More should stand up against the untruths and misinformation but Edward R. Morrow and Walter
Cronkite are no longer with us, but their spirits are surely spinning in their graves.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, spinning in their graves along with Reasoner, Howard K. Smith, Huntley and Brinkley...the ones who just told it like it is and didn't embellish for ratings.
thanks, Ted,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Once upon a time I could read a newspaper or listen to the news and believe what was being said. You know that thing called impartial reporting. Where’s it gone? In the gutter that’s where. Newspapers and media channels are mega business governed by fat cats pedaling their own biased slant, particularly when it comes to politics. These days people’s lives are ruined by media witch hunts. I hate where we are. I research my own stuff out and then form an opinion. Most journalists are going for sensational headlines, which in turn line their pockets. Where is that old breed of journalists? There are still a few left. Great poem dear J. To the point, so accurate.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Impartial reporting? What's that???? :)
Thank you, Chris,
j.

[Weeping willow]

Love your words, so much that flows through the news isn't real anymore. We live in a time of half truths and lies. No one really know what is true anymore ;-]

[jacob erin-cilberto]

maybe poets have a sense, though.
I hope we do. Thank you, willow,
j.

[Lisasview]

Good morning Jacob,
I take away from your words far more than is on the surface. And, I do enjoy hidden meaning and metaphors.
Bring in the cat is marvellous and I believes adds flavour to the scene.
It is getting harder and harder to hear what is on the news. I remember a T.V. series, can not recall the name..about a newspaper man who wrote things that were untrue and then the same day the newspaper was published that particular untrue thing happened...Clever idea for a T.V. show ...I liked it.
And, I really lied these words of yours...
rips the conscience
into shreds,
and the paper, like tinder
burns too easily.

Lisa, already on my computer

[jacob erin-cilberto]

That show sounds like something Rod Serling would have created...thank you for your kind words, Lisa,
j.

[Lisasview]

He was one of my most favourites... Would love to see Twilight zone again...

[W. Barrett Munn]

This is truly wonderful, Jacob. Every journalist needs to read it and memorize it-that already live it.
It is the sad truth of today-stenography as journalism.

Winston

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your understanding words, Winston,
j.

[Soren]

This one is a mind bender. I love tequila and maybe I'll go on a bender. You can't believe everything you read. I believe what we want to believe, what is comfortable and convenient. Truth is easily dispensed with. Very nice Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Used to be the old newscasts and newscasters just gave us what was going on, and that is it....no entertainment, no ratings...
thank you, Soren,
j.