red, white and mostly blue

red, white and mostly blue

the raunch

is launched 

on a mid-January day

cities and states

grasp stale rot

a united flag

shorn

people undressed of jobs

of self-respect

by a headless horseman

we all become Ichabod Cranes

hiding under shadowed bridges

in a stalemate with reason

but reason will never

answer the bell

the fight

will be stopped...

and no one will volunteer

to restitch the flag

they are scared to

erin-cilberto

2/19/25 

Reviews

[DIVYA]

people undressed of jobs
of self-respect
by a headless horseman

I just loved these lines! They say so much. Amazing poetry, my friend!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Divya!

[KWP]

Hey Jacob, I read this and I am reminded to ask myself again, where have all the warriors gone?
We humans are silly beings, stirring the pot of life that was only ever meant to be simmered. History repeats, gives us the opportunity to learn and grow, collectively we do not listen. Dumbed down society becomes, may as well simply enjoy the purity of the uninterrupted present moment ...

It's the last line of your poem here bothering me so much .....

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your words, KWP,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Every reason to be fearful, the image of that flag looking tattered and torn, a sorry sight. Blue indeed j.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your words, Chris,
j.

[MCS]

This gets to the heart of the matter like a laser beam! Hats off to you my talented friend.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Mary...

[K. Louis]

This poem gets straight to the point, critiquing societal norms and systems that strip people of their dignity. It's powerful, especially the image of a united flag torn apart, and the fear of confronting the problems that caused it. Well done.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Much fear these days...for various reasons...thank you for your insights, K.
j.

[Desert Knave]

No, it will not be restitched for at least awhile ... maybe just under 4 years. Nice use of words. ~Jim

[jacob erin-cilberto]

It's just sad that it has all come to this.
thank you, Jim,
j.