Used Lanterns

 

Used Lanterns

 

 

sure i bathe in moonlight

when the mood suits me

but darkened patches of life

are my corner luxury

that cool feeling of black frost

i can almost lick with fervent tongue

as i silently mouth words i could never write down

on star pads,

too much grandiose suffering made public

as other lovers kiss under those same tablets

with my words breeching their contract

and blame ricocheting off the blank walls of my heart

 

sure i'll strip down to just the bare letters

and pour myself into an ocean of comforting glow

but that will only assuage your bulbous pain---

 

i instead, must burn in the rays

of an unkind orb

seeking to unclad me of my own sorrow

make my poems run naked

and embarrassed in front of people

i don't know

who only want to use me to see into themselves.

 

 

erin-cilberto

5/17/11

Reviews

[apennylate]

I see "Hate Mail" inspired a candid offering to the merciless and unknown gods that govern us poor writers.
Or perhaps it was the very idea of this that sparked that.
I am never sure when it comes to the collective, but I sure as heck am sure of one thing...
You guessed it, effing loved this one.
A lot.
You grabbed me from the first line, and said "sure I could, but that would just befit the monster within you all a bit too neatly for my tastes, so eff off."
efffffing brilliant.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Interesting what you said...maybe your new poem inspired this one to have been written back in 2011...early days for me on WC.
Thank you for your kind review,
j.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Maybe we did time travel......

[apennylate]

I think, if anything, I most likely steal any and all ideas I may have from a pot of overcooked thoughts you had stewing outside your stoop.
Even unbeknownst to me, though I try with all my might to feel special about the words I write...
Truth is, usually someone else wrote 'em first.

[Mariej]

Wow! What a superb allegorical gem! Took my breath away as I read. Your poem spoke both to me and for me, J and I feel it will do so also, to other poets who read it. If a reader or fellow poet cannot empathise with the writer/poet, with what he/she writes, surely it is better to pass the poem by than leave a negative review on the poem/write? I can't express just how much I love this poem and the views you express so eloquently, J! Gratitude with appreciation for sharing, dear friend...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind review, Marie,
j.

[Mariej]

Most welcome always, J...