a barrel full of bodies

a barrel full of bodies

 

 

if the barrel points

the shadows splatter

scatter

matter no more

until the names are shared

in the headlines

 

and when the firearm drops

with the shooter's name

 

we are inviting

the next barrel

to point.

 

 

 

 

erin-cilberrto

5/4/23

Reviews

[Beccy]

Not being a citizen of the USA I hesitated at first to speak on this subject. But what is happening today in what I still consider to be a beacon of light in this bleak world, is manifest and I have no doubt that James Madison is looking down in horror now that the lunatics seem to have taken over the asylum.

1791 was a very, very long time ago, and now, over two hundred years later those words 'the right to bear arms,' have become so divorced from their original intent that it is surely time for change, as one more death, particularly that of an innocent child, will be one too many.

And as you so rightly point out jacob, to name does not shame, it simply encourages those with such sick and twisted minds to seek out their fifteen minutes of fame.

Beccy.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, Beccy, the divorce is final and they have gone their separate ways....the meaning of it then and the meaning of it today.
thank you so much for addressing this piece,
j.

[Crowley]

Unapologetic truth. I love the point and especially the poet who sharpened it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Crowley,
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

This is so true J.... I'm so sick and tired of these mass shootings...and the worst part are the copycats...so it ends up being one after another....in my lifetime I don't see a big change in gun laws...and it's become a sick trend to kill someone over a mistaken property, or kill an innocent man because he is black.....
I'm over it! Great write!!!
Warmly, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

It is a horrible situation...
thank you for your understanding, Betty,
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

It certainly is horrid, and now more mass shootings!
You're very welcome J
Warmly, B

[Chris Shaw]

And the focus becomes the shooter, not all the victims he has blown away. He becomes famous and like a magnet attracts even more nutters to copy cat. Naming them doesn’t help one bit. Terrible situation in USA with mass shootings, but who is brave enough to get a grip and control the situation?

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I don't know, Chris, but I wish we could figure it out before so much more loss of life.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

It's sad and true. One literally has to get to the point of apathy. Otherwise, the heart would bleed out.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I don't have much blood left, Linda.
thank you,
j.

[W. Barrett Munn]

Be careful, this kind of poem can paint a bullseye on your chest.

Winston

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, I am sure of that,
thank you, Winston
j.

[keith]

'friends romans countrymen
i come to bury caesar
not to praise him'

prophetic words haunting our reasonings
target on ones chest ain't all that bad

good write jacob good message

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

There arefar too many mass shootings that I am scared to watch the news anymore

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I know, it is like two a week anymore.
Thank you, Dale,
j.

[Gee]

The more publicity the more those that seek attention plans and carry out the next atrocity. Putting it bluntly the good ol' USA looks pretty fucked up looking on from the outside. To combat gun violence sell more guns. How many shooters have actually been stopped by a member of the public legally beating arms, very few if any I'd suspect.
Hope you are well Jacob

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, very few....thank you for your insights into this controversial topic...
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

It is sad we make killers famous Jacob. Powerful and worthwhile thoughts shared my friend.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Ever since the first ones came to be...and they started telling us their names...I have thought this.
thank you, Coyote,

[John the Baptist]

The last five lines send an extremely important message. Every time a mass murderer is named, it's like telling all of the isolated, resentful malcontents, "Hey, this is the way to get even and get famous simultaneously." Thus do we create and stoke ambitions.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, famous...in such a negative way...but they don't care.
thank you, John