The Show Must Go On

It is all a front!

The Show Must Go On

I smile as I cling tight to the sinews of hope,

the tendons and ligaments that keep me

dangled above the darkness of the precipice.

I stare into that abyss knowing it is close

and that these muscles will not hold me forever.

I tire, but still I smile for fear of abandonment,

for fear that patience will wear thin

and those I love and trust will lose their strength

to come to my high wire performance

to watch the show again.

 

26/11/14

Author's Note

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"the poet is an acrobat climbing a high wire of rhyme"
ferlinghetti wrote that about poets...we take risks, putting on our word show...but we have no choice, the abyss is too close...
and to keep from going over the edge, we need to let it out---we need to write it.

i really love these last two poems you have posted...you have written me to a "T"---

[John Alexander McFadyen]

You are a poet and a scholar Jacob and I could never match your command of poetry and literature so I guess I stick with the emotion. Many thanks.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you are humble, John...that is a good quality....your metaphors, personification are all wonderful...and your poems have such life...
we are just two poets, making our way...two different voices.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

You are very kind Jacob. Thank you!