Dangerous Advice from a Poet Playing a Doctor

Dangerous Advice from a Poet Playing a Doctor

 

 

freckles

are little poems

on the face

of literature

they frolic about

cute?

doubtful

blemishes?

not really

 

and on the nose of inspiration

they look good

but the melanoma words

that mix themselves in

may be cancerous

 

so perhaps stick to short stories

they may present less threat

to the readers

 

or just get a vaccine

even if it may cause

you to go blind

 

I am sure you could always

find 

a kind individual

to read to you.

 

 

erin-cilberto

9/23/25

Reviews

[.]

Wow... What a title and what a starting. That first line is one of those quotes that must be in the books. And this poem has a story, right? Probably politic. At least a strong thought and I still can't believe the feeling punches in my face after reading your poems, I stopped to think and read again, stopped again and read again... A circle till I get used to the punch. Pwehh

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your very kind words, Beren.
j.

[Soren]

Commas, periods and semicolons may be freckles and are often over looked some strong words are seen as cancerous and on some sites are deleted surgically by the site. Nicely done my friend

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I like that..."surgically by the site"---Thank you, Soren.
j.

[Soren]

Most welcome Jacob

[carl]

Confession : I read your work because it makes me think, wonder, and scratch my head; and sometimes it scratches my itch. Sometimes I read x 6 and still go away wondering, but that's okay it's an enjoyable, encouraging, and profitable experience. Review : A poem is to literature as a freckle to a face. Can be attractive but if they develop into cancer maybe put them in something where they will be less obvious or maybe become a reader or listener instead of an author. Proverbs 15:1 or Be careful little tongue what you say. -carl

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Such an intriguing review, carl. Thank you for this review and also for taking the time to scratch your head at my work.
j.

[Vol]

Jacob,
I relate to your imagery more than you know... The concept of "frolic," is much too neglected in our current culture. But then I grew up in Florida when everyone had a "healthy tan." Our method was to go our for a blistering burn, and once it peeled we were set and didn't burn again but never wore a shirt, either... evidenced today by two Basal cell Carcinomas and a Dr. appointment next week for seven or eight squamous cell spots on the top of my bald pate.
Nothing like a twenty line narrative poem, so quick so clean and a great short story without all those extra words...
Vol

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, and hopefully they will get rid of all the bad spots.
good luck with that, Vol.
j.

[Vol]

Thanks, Jacob!
Not really life threatening, just one more uglifier in the arsenal of slings and arrows we're getting to old to dodge...

[MomzillaNC]

What a cleverly convoluted way to comment on the state of madness while still extolling the virtues of literature — and freckles. As a vastly freckled person myself, I rather appreciated the complimentary light you poem shines on freckles.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, freckled MomZ.
Freckles have such character.
j.

[MomzillaNC]

😎 ty

[emmajoygreen]

You know how to lay your words to tell rather than instruct others to take notice of.. the not always obvious to all situation, event, ad nauseum. What shows and shines is not always the truth but has been polished to appear far better that ever will be: beggared by word povery and sick pretentiousness. Perhaps?

I have freckles, sir.. but hope they are accountble to your kindness rather than criticism.

Take care of yourself as Winter threatens to pinch the toes of falling leaves!!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Hi em,
No criticism ever...there is beauty and character in them...right now in our country, there is an epidemic...it is someone running our health system and possibly causing much harm to the people...Life is scary here...and I am waiting for falling leaves, but something else falling...and it ain't pretty like the colorful leaves.
thank you, em.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Ah melanoma words are indeed cancerous and dangerous. Can be infectious too and spread like wild fire. I read this poem on several different levels. I am focusing on the political here j bearing in mind the hostilities on our planet. As for freckles, they are a very pretty distraction, normally harmless, but I guess even they can turn rogue on the odd occasion. Look where I travelled. Always substance and satisfaction in your poetry and your metaphors are orgasmic lol.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

spot on, Chris...Thank you so much for your insightful review...and the nice comment on the metaphors.
j.

[Emunah June.]

As a lover of both medicine and poetry, I was so excited that you combined these two topics! And as such, you never disappoint. The words and images flow together and its just a beautiful, seamless experience.

I am a Jewish woman, and one thing that we talk about often in Judaism is the concept of "lashon hara" -- the power of words, especially hurtful ones. The words we speak carry such power and such emphasis that they can literally be the one thing thats make or break in alot of situations. Your poem speaks to the core of lashon hara -- our poetry, our stories, they can either be sweet additions or cancerous mix ins, and we need to be careful what we do with them. If art is power, and poetry is art, then its only natural the rest is true too!

You are a stellar poet, and your work is almost flawless. I am so honored I get to enjoy it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, the power of words...as Emily Dickinson expressed, "Words have the power to kill but also the power to heal."
Thank you for YOUR words, Emunah.
j.

[redzone]

hmmm, freckles and poetry, a dangerous mix?? I don't know about that. But then, the people I know with freckles aren't poets, writers, or even into literature, except to read (non-poetry) books. I do think words as freckles are a threat, since isn't it our responsibility as poets, short story writers, or any kind of writer and artist, to be in the forefront of social change? To be an avant-garde, ushering in new forms and movements that affect and infect society with new ways of seeing and thinking about the world around us? Our swords, our words and freckles should be dangerous, a "disease" that cannot be stopped and the more that "kind people" read us, the better.

There I go again, Jacob, tripping out on one of your poems. I am glad you are my "freckle"
-Curt

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I like how you tripped out and appreciate it....
thank you, Curt,
j.

[poetic swan]

Playful yet unsettling, blending whimsy and dark humor. Clever metaphors mix beauty with danger, creating an offbeat, thought-provoking read.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your very kind comment, poetic swan.
j.