Polling the Storms

Polling the Storms

 

 

puddles are gargantuan tears

shed by an entity in the sky

wondering why

the earth is so flooded

with misshapen ideas

of existential mummification

 

and torrential rains 

not of a natural kind

but ballyhooed by 

exterminators of life

having thunder in one hand

lightning in the other

 

and the good book slammed shut

because ego and thirst for power

are colliding in clouded mutiny

"water water everywhere

nor any drop to drink"

said Coleridge

 

in "rime of the ancient mariner"

we have an ancient mariner

who is doing a cold play

the tears are frozen in state

we are all clowns with kerchiefs

trying to ice skate

 

on spilled milk

rather than just cleaning it up

and starting over

 

frozen or not

we must sidestep

the puddles

and take a course of action

that might turn the sky

into a clear blue smile

fit to drink.

 

 

erin-cilberto

7/24/25

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

This poem sums up my feelings about my country. Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. The blue skies have turned murky and I am left grieving for a time when values had more meaning. I studied Coleridge and the Ancient Mariner at GCSE level. Now that was a time when I had trust and faith in politicians. Long gone. I guess I am old and showing my age.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yeah, there was a time, wasn't there?

Thank you, Chris.
j.

[Dhaye]

Many undesirable events are happening today- both created by nature and by man. People have their own reasons for their actions...and it's not always for the common good.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, not always. Thank you, Dhaye.
j.

[DIVYA]

Dear Jacob,

This poem is so replete with lasting images and meaning, I cannot pick any one verse. You delight the reader to the core. You make them wonder at your poetry. This is another poem of yours that I'll remember always. Regardless of the state of this world.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Divya.
j.

[John the Baptist]

I see some of the pressing problems of our times alluded to in this one. The lust for power, the threat of environmental disasters, the refusal to take action against lingering problems, etc. At the end is an exhortation to do something rather than letting things simmer. Amen.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we seem on the verge of something...and not something good...
thank you, John.
j.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

This could be taken two ways. About the torrential rain in Texas. Or a metaphorical look at the destruction trump has done to the constitution

[jacob erin-cilberto]

or both at once, I guess...thank you for that sharp look into this mess.
j.