There is no Red Badge of Courage here

There is no Red Badge of Courage here

 

spread rumors

we are a dying society

hate is a whisper

in all the ears 

of those who feel immune

 

but the desertion of values

the cowardly retreat of love

scream of a destiny

being ignored

I hear it as I sit

 

bent over the keys

my fingers crying.

 

erin-cilberto

9/14/24

Reviews

[redzone]

Hi Jacob!! I have missed your poetry, my bad as my time is spent elsewhere.
They say, "HOPE" is a dangerous thing. But hope takes courage, I think. The courage to look deeply into the chaos and see the possibilities of a springtime breeze on a freezing winter's night. The courage to see there are forces working every day to bring forth this spring breeze. And I might add while you may deny it (your title and crying fingers), there is HOPE that seeps through your words. The words of a poet seeking, clamoring for a better world in the face of these days of "deserting values" and "cowardly retreats". Your pen never fails to inspire Jacob. At least for me.

I hope you are well!!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your very kind comments, Curt...
I am doing okay, and you?

[redzone]

I'm good Jacob, thanks. A bit of rough year but, cue in that famous Mark Twain quote here.

[MsJewel]

So much truth in your words Jacob. It's a scary world...
Julie

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your words, Julie...I wish we could be feeling a togetherness in something besides fear.
j.

[Ken Simm.]

Unlike today there is so much truth here. Of dying empires, (they never last) and what unfortunately comes out of the death throes.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Amen, Ken....thank you.
j.

[light and ashes]

I hear it, too, jacob. I think many of us do,
and it isn't good.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, light...
j.

[light and ashes]

You're welcome..

[adornoscousin]

This poem...I wonder if people in ancient Rome knew their empire, their society was crumbling...do people know when they are at the end of something? this poem made me think of that...I think we are at the endof something

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I am afraid you are right....the end of something...
Thank you for your words,
j.

[Marie]

Today, across the world, people live in fear. Everybody has something to fear and I can't quite remember when fear took hold of us and we made the transition from being happy and peaceful to being riddled with fear. Our world has changed so much that sometimes it is difficult to believe I grew up in the same world I was born into. There are so many negatives in our society today: Racism, hatred, nobody seems to be happy with their lot in life, nobody wants less, everybody wants more and my 'Hobby Horse' drugs, they now rule society as do those who take them and killings are an every day event in our news as a result. The values that we held have disappeared into the mists of time, deserted. Rumours, disinformation and fake news rule the day and as a whole our society is disintegrating more and more with each passing day. Love is not easy to find anymore, wondering if 'True Love' has disappeared also into the mists of time? Mankind is screaming, but no Knight in shining armour is coming to our rescue. It is something we have to do ourselves: Rescue ourselves! Truth be told, I can't see this happening, but... Who knows? We might wake up one morning and wake up to ourselves, I live in hope, dear J... Thank you for writing this amazing poem and waking us up to reality. Indebted to you for sharing...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

We are not learning from past mistakes anymore...we are bringing them back...doing them again...we are being so stupid.
thank you for your response, Marie. WE poets speak but who listens except other poets?
j.

[Marie]

. Most welcome always, dear J... Yes, we don't learn from history sadly, we repeat it. WE poets listen to each other, that is a wonderful thing, dear J... Wishing you a very blessed, happy and joyful day, dear friend...

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Jacob.. I bought a Black Ebony Upright Piano ( made in Korea) .. at an upscale Antique Shop .. and also Sheet Music of all the Romantic Music 🎶 of the Sixties … The Blues are the Songs that Touch my Soul. Also The 🍇 Grapes of Wrath are in the Background… my friend. softly, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"I'll be there, Ma. Yeah, I'll be there!"

[Patricia Wedel]

Precious Memories…. Take me Home… softly, Pat

[Thomas W Case]

Superb work. You state the hard truth very well here in a creative way.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Thomas,
j.

[Desert Knave]

Ugly seems to be becoming the state of the union in a hurry. ~Jim

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Sure is...thank you, Jim,
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

Our values as a whole have declined over the years...they have become tragic in so many ways; no one is courageous any more, we all fear something...what does love mean anymore? trust? We fear for our lives, literally... our society as a whole is failing, due to divide, hate....what is our destiny????
Warmly, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Our destiny does not seem to be a pleasant one, Betty...thanks for your understanding.
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

always a pleasure J🌷
warmly, B