a circus of contentment

a circus of contentment

 

 

punctuation is so confining

like chains on a slave of semantics

no freedom to roam

among blossoms of language

that wants its own emphasis secreted

 

let the reader stray where they will

amongst the corpses of missing

commas periods semi-colons

the undead of grammar

 

the poems rise to their purpose

breaking the links, hammering the rings

of security

 

the thrill of near-death of formal tools

it builds defiance into casual mislaying

of words

 

but the audience will pay to see

the show

no reins on the ponies of sinful disregard

for structure

 

let them burn their tickets

in effigy

seize the moment

become the ringleaders of theme

 

they bought the rights

the copyrights

the reading rights

 

to hell with punctuation

I will never use it again

period.

 

 

erin-cilberto

10/3/24

Reviews

[CRISHAM]

Jacob Erin-Cilberto's A Circus of Contentment reveals a deep emotional battle with the constraints of language. The poet expresses a palpable sense of frustration and defiance against the rigid structure of punctuation, likening it to chains that imprison the spirit of expression. There’s a raw vulnerability in the way you confronts these limitations, as if each word released from the shackles of grammar is a small act of liberation. The poem feels like an outcry for freedom—both creative and personal—capturing the tension between wanting to be understood and resisting the need to conform. This emotional conflict resonates deeply, offering a powerful reflection on how we sometimes struggle with the invisible fences that hold back their authentic voice.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you.

[redzone]

e.e. cummings would be proud of this poem Jacob. Except, except for that period at the end. No not the word, but the punctuation (.). And did I catch a comma in one of those lines??!! Jacob, you are too much the English teacher to help yourself... lol ;0).... I can hear you say all this in one of your classes, "students, who needs punctuation?? You never use it properly, so let's dispense with it today". You say this, while handing out their essays with red F's at the top of the page and a note: No Grammar, No Punctuation!!

But I suspect some sarcasm in this poem, cause in the art of language, to be understood, grammar and punction actually matter. Except for e e cummings of course. Loved your poem Jacob. Please disregard where I have gone with it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

love where you took this....yes, you caught a couple commas and that last period...the battle within self of the English teacher...
I must rid myself of those commas, I will throw them away immediately...thanks
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

Wild flowers grow like words in fields of Poppies and Heather under rows of Sycamore trees where the Sound of Wisdom becomes the Inauguration of the Century. A Ship is docked where people flock against the Rock of Destiny… softly, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Pat,
j.