at least the reclining seats are comfortable

at least the reclining seats are comfortable

 

 

 

the farce is on

no one in the audience

is munching their popcorn

they are all staring with perplexed gaze

 

there is humor somewhere

but not in this play

not with these actors

an American flag hangs from the rafters

like an executed criminal

 

the dialogue appears muted

the masks are off

naked smirks

expressive enough

 

like a silent movie

that skips the subtitles

the secret is in the script

that is unfinished

 

and with the final curtain

comes down hope

the patrons drive home

off the road

 

America will get bad reviews

the protagonist

is antagonistically prone

even the Muppet critics

 

are laughing at us

for attending

I want those subtitles

even though the lips

 

are moving counter human-wise

and I have already wasted

soul change

on a ticket.

Reviews

[Amanda Renee]

What a great title in so many ways!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Amanda,
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

A powerful piece of poetry, J. Words that are needed in times like these. They echo those of the past poets who spoke out against injustice of their times. You honor them with your words, my friend. In historical sense poetry has its most indelible resonance upon a society when it speaks out against the silence of concession. Thank you for your words and voice in these most difficult of times. CLE

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, Carlos.
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear J... the reclining seats are the only good part about this poem.... the rest is our misery...summed up really well by you...there is nothing to be positive about these days...it's all going down hill...the American flag means nothing.... only power grabbing is really"in".... so we might as well sit back in our recliners and read a good book!!!! Well done, always J
Warmly, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

either do that or write a poem...
Have to find a way to write a happy verse....have to.
Thanks, Betty.
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

YES! Happy verse if you are able...
Always a pleasure!
Warmly, B

[John the Baptist]

The American flag image in this one is so telling. Also, damned frightening. The 60's were disturbing, but I always had no doubt the captain was on the bridge and trying to steer aright. Now, he is "antagonistically prone" and also diagnosable. Worst of all, this circus has just begun.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, and unfortunately, we have ringside seats.
j.

[DecentlyOkayWriter]

naked smirks
expressive enough
like a silent movie
. . .
(My favorite part, you know the drill.)

Oh, why focus on all the going-ons when you could just lean back in your chair. . It's easier to enjoy the play when you're comfortable (maybe oblivious), you know.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Oblivious could be a wise map to chart.
j.

[Lydia Shutter]

Brings to mind, "All the world's a stage..." We are living in a play, aren't we? The producer and director are not asking us for our input and if we give it, well, it is ignored. So go ahead and eat the popcorn....enjoy what you can. Those seats make it almost worthwhile. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

So true, Lydi, so true.
thank you,
j.

[Desert Knave]

Kind of hard to relish the popcorn when the play has gone all out of kilter. ~Jim

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Absolutely! Thank you, Jim.
j.

[Lorry]

Love the line about America getting bad reviews. I'm actually surprised Scotland isn't getting more flak because of his Scots granny, but as the saying goes "if you break it you buy it... and no refunds!"
😃

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, no refunds. And I hope once this segment of years is done, we can get back some respect. Thanks, Lorry.
j.

[DIVYA]

I sense much anguish in your words here, my friend. But nothing good is really happening elsewhere in the world, either and it seems like a new drama unfolding everyday on the global stage. This is so deep...this is an amazing poem.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your very kind review, Divya...
j.