This Poem, Full of Cliches by Eileen M. D’Angelo

This Poem, Full of Cliches

This poem is too new to be out
unsupervised, too new to know
that it’s substandard, that it’s missing
it’s mark— too fresh to know
it should be humbled by its shortcomings.

This poem is not ready for prime time
with its rambling pointless lines,
lines that can’t pin down how it feels
to read the headlines every goddamned day,
lines that fail to state the sense of fear,
chaos, and impending doom.

This poem should say something
shocking— something, anything
to save us in these turbulent times,
steel us from this tense political climate—
something stunning— but it’s mute.

After all, on a clear, snowy January day,
a woman, a mother and a poet
had her face shot off by an ICE agent
who muttered as he strode off, fucking bitch,

and the country goes on, as the machine
churns out lies for an alternate narrative,
as we each wait for someone else to step in,
or for someone to save us.

I want a poem for her—
but where are all the words
that should come easily— words
to rain down justice and humanity?
Words to raise a candle in the dark?

*

Eileen M. D’Angelo, author of several books, including “The Recovering Catholic’s Collection,” (from Moonstone Press, 2023), is the Executive Director of Mad Poets Society and former Editor of Mad Poets Review, has coordinated over 2000 special events in the tri-state area and was the subject of a tribute event and anthology by Philadelphia’s Moonstone Arts Center. She has twice been nominated for a PA Governor’s Award in the Arts and Pushcart Prize, and published in Rattle, Manhattan Poetry Review, Paterson Literary Review, Drexel Online Journal, Wild River Review, Philadelphia Stories, Philadelphia Poets and others. Additionally, D’Angelo has commentary in an anthology from WordFire Press, Shadows and Verse: Classic Dark Poems with Celebrity Commentary, edited by NY Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry. She judged open auditions for the pilot program of Russell Simmons’ and HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, at New Market Cabaret, as well as conducted workshops and performed original songs and poetry on WXPN’s (88.5 FM) World Café Live, BCTV (Berks County Public Television), at the Painted Bride Art Center, at South St. Arts Festival at Rosemont College, Hedgerow Theatre, St. Joe’s, Montco Writers’ Conference, Kelly Writers House, Manayunk Art Center, Delco Community College, National Federation of State Poetry Societies, and Delco Women’s Conference, Philly Fringe Festival, and other venues.