Pantomime

Inspired by the writings of prolific poet and friend jacob erin-cilberto. Poetry can tell a great story in so few words...

Pantomime

(The book of love: Poetry)

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

Beneath the tree of wisdom the silent clown had spoke

In conversation with his God in question he provoked

Each movement patterned like a word; sublime within its dance 

To layman's eye oddly curious; indecipherable at glance

"If you exist in everything then why this mystery

To love with joy and lose with sorrow lacks any symmetry" 

But as the way an apple falls the answer was contrite

No conundrum or riddle was revealed only truth in heartaches plight

"Love doesn't know the past; only yearning does, nor the future; only hope does.  Love only knows the now."

Author's Note

Ah, we writers always taking from others either by inspiration or devilish deed. Only we know our true intent. This piece had been ruminating in my mind for about a year. Its premise simple yet grander in scale. When isn't a conversation with one's God not a big thing? I'm being rhetorical of course. I have said in the past I come from writing through the mentality of short story format. It has changed quite dramatically since I joined this amazing community of poets and writers. It's not that I discovered my own poetic ability, but more truthfully was enlightened by the art form by reading many of the works here. I learned to appreciate it and most importantly respect it. Because of my friends here who unknowingly inspire me to ply my craft with the utmost respect, hard work, and love. None more so than J. Thank you, Sir. You taught a stubborn old writer to love poetry for its ability to say so much in so few a word. It is always about the art and the voice from which it comes from.

Reviews

[Maxwell Ryder]

I like how you break the rhyme at the end, and just go for something you want, as opposed to what the rhyme demands.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you for commenting on this poem Maxwell. I felt being direct carried the message more stronger than a verse with ryhme. I think any higher power, including love, would give a simple reply that is candid and straightforward. And as you perceptive point out I felt it is what this poem demanded. Thank you so much again.

[W. Barrett Munn]

Then there is Wallace Stevens: "And for what, except for you, do I feel love?"
And the love he writes about is the muse, prosody, the magic of discovery within writing. Yes, it is a now thing, as well.
W.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me. I definitely will be adding Wallace Stevens to my reading list, especially the artful words you have referenced. I so believe in that magic of writing. One can find redemption, catharsis, atonement, and self within this art form. For one can not know the world better until they know themselves. Writing has taught me how to forgive myself and bring me closer to understanding why I am who I am. To acknowledge these defining truths. In poetry. Thank you so much again for your your insightful comment.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the apple just fell down, hit the ground and then someone picked it up...
and fools who did not trust the word, bit into some knowledge that was not theirs to embrace.
Thus we have a world now with such an uncertain future.
I am really humbled that I had any part in the inspiration of this...
Maybe love can find a way to change the now and lead us to a future we can once again trust.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I could not have said it anymore better than you my friend. Thus the power of art to inspire art. Your works legacy a gift to friends and other writers on their way to their own. Thank you, J, for all words said and given. They are gifts to us all.