punch line

punch line

 

 

bow-tie demeanor

rigid collar

voice in strict regiment

 

 

and then

laughter

like that of a jester

 

the miracle

of turning gravity 

to levity

 

when unwrapping

the gift 

of humor.

 

it loosens the top button

of uneasiness

with a few flamboyant words

 

and then the soldiers

fall out.

 

 

erin-cilberto

12/21/24

Reviews

[Titilayo Sarah Eguridu]

It’s a cautionary tale!
You can’t tell how hard the joke will hit you!
It could instigate delicious giggles, deep belly laughs , convulsing inspiring laughter.
The comedian is the platoon commander and the audience his soldiers.
After the punch in the line…the parade is over.
This poem feels like a metadrama.
I am still unraveling it!
I had fun reading it Erin.
Thank you for sharing

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your insights, Titilayo,
j.

[Titilayo Sarah Eguridu]

You're welcome Erin

[John the Baptist]

We must have humor in the current national and world atmosphere. I say this even though I can't think of anything funny about Trump or Putin.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

me either...thanks, John,
j.

[W. Barrett Munn]

This, I think, harkens back to your heyday days (daze?). Well constructed.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Winston...ha ha, yes, we had those days didn't we?

[poetgurl]

very wise words, really enjoyed this

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for the kind words,
j.

[redzone]

humor!! we humans need it, from dad jokes, to stand-up and everything beyond. Some of the best humor came / comes from examining the contradictions in society, life. Richard Pryor, George Carlin, the early years of SNL for example. Or slapstick, Laural and Hardy, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and the list could go on and on. Lately in our society, we have lost the ability to laugh at ourselves, our foibles and quirks, the silly things we say and do. In my opinion, one of the great ways humor was used was during WW2 and the Nazi occupation, the Cabaret was born and mocked Germany, fascism right in front of the Gestapo. We need, desperately, humor in today's world as we fight against oppression everywhere.

Thanks for your poem Jacob.
-Curt

[jacob erin-cilberto]

All of those very funny....and I constantly watch youtube videos of Mitch Hedberg, John Pinnette and others just for a diversion.

[Thomas W Case]

Fantastic metaphor. HAS A TON OF WISDOM.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Thomas,
j.

[Dylan Macadham]

" turning gravity to levity." a Quote worthy of the Greats!
I too believe Levity rules!
(also, "Punchline/Soldiers" ...great metaphor!)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Dylan,
j.

[Poetic Beauty]

Laughter many times can leave then the mood and situation. It can help people connect with each other

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, it surely can. Thank you P.B..

[Soren]

What a great poetic description my friend. The falling out of soldiers can be taken somewhat darkly as some far from danger find humor in the tragedy of others. Reaching here my friend and feel free to bury this thought in the grave of the unknown soldier

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Never would bury anyone's thoughts, Soren...I like where you went with this. Thank you.

[Desert Knave]

In my childhood it was only my humor that got me through. Yeah, it changes everything when you choose to laugh at what you can laugh at. ~Jim

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Humor got me through three divorces among other things....almost lost it the first time.
Thanks, Jim,
j.