Red Flags

Red Flags

the little bonfire

scurried towards the woods

as the four sticks

sought refuge with their kind

on a gusty afternoon

the whole family 

perished

and the guilty party

is still on the lam

pictures of matchstick men

on the wanted posters.

erin-cilberto

10/13/22

Reviews

[Zoe Richardson]

For some reason, I pictured the wildfires that burn out of control in so many parts of our country recently, and the wild creatures who perish or flee. You captured a snapshot of something here, whether arson or accident. Very complex and multi-layered!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

very bad here right now with the dry earth and the winds whistling strong.
thank you, Zoe,read morevery bad here right now with the dry earth and the winds whistling strong.
thank you, Zoe,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Sounds like an arsonist has destroyed a whole family here. Such evil. No wonder the red flag warning. Red for danger. Pictures of matchstick men sent a shiver down my spine. How could they? But they do and some get away with it. I hope this one is behind bars soon and forever too.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, for sure...reckless, careless.
thank you, Chris,
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

A complete tale in so few words. I did like. I liked the use of the words. "pictures of matchstick men". Thank you Jacob for sharing the entertaining poetry.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Coyote,
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Jacob.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Red flags are quite the trigger, even more so in the last 2 to 3 decades. Firestarters comes to mind in a quick reading. Getting the mind around the inverse where the bonfire components (presumably still on fire) get snuffed out - united they burn (?) perhaps and divided they 'perish.' But that's probably just me.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I like your interesting interpretation, Frederick,
thank you
j.

[redd Brick Keshner]

I probably have to revisit this at a specific time-mood where I would see it differently, j!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

but your interp. is valid...you see what you see...

[redd Brick Keshner]

That's always cool j, thanks. There is also the concept of the author's intended which isn't or hasn't been at the forefront of discussion for decades now. And sometimes one wonders what did the poet want to express? :-)

[John the Baptist]

It sounds like the account of an atrocity here, but it could be a metaphor for something. Not sure what red flags might symbolize.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

actually the title is literal. Thank you, John,
j.