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
Kind of an ironic ending. I sense a kind of lightheartedness in this. Nice one, J.
You sense correctly. But a light-hearted slant to something that can be a really big problem in America.
j.
A cancer among the freckles…now that is an interesting take. As a poet, you are saying they heal..Are short story writers considered a placebo?
Being that I write both, would I be considered a test subject? Hmm
I like this.
Your reply made me smile. Thank you, Fia.
j.
I’m glad I can be goofy sometimes.
And by the way….I envy those who can write Short Stories….I do not have the attention span. Started four different novels…got through 40, 60, 40 and 60 pages in each and lost my momentum.
But then our current person in charge of health would just ignore the freckle as nothing to worry about or a Democratic hoax.
j.
This poem is so clever and darkly funny. The metaphors are brilliant, especially the idea of freckles as little poems and “melanoma words” as a threat. It makes the piece feel both whimsical and sharp, a tone perfectly captured by its fantastic title, “Dangerous Advice from a Poet Playing a Doctor.” Great Write, j.
Thank you, RomaJ.
j.
Brilliant work, my friend.
Thanks, Thomas.
j.
hmmm let’s see, I don’t write short stories, I don’t have freckles, so all I can do is read your poem Jacob. And if you don’t mind my saying, it’s one fukin’ freckley good poem. The kind of freckle poem that gets under the skin of those who think they know art but understand nothing at all. Why do such people run our society, create cultural wars, and are a menace to humanity?!
So here goes a reading: once upon a time in Frecklesville….. LOL
-Curt
I just drove through Frecklesville…
Kind of a spotty town.
j.
Powerfully penned, Jacob. Incredible write my friend. Appreciate you.
Damian
Thank you.