Pablo Rivera is a writer here on Substack who writes eerie and playful poems about many topics and things in the world. He has been so kind as to allow me to riff on one of his poems, by writing a response poem of my own. I wanted to respond to “Human Mathematic”, because of its emotional reflection on some pressing concerns of our times. You can read his poem in full below, followed by my own response, “Human Evening”. “Human Mathematic” by Pablo Rivera I get nostalgic for these tender vibrations sonic atmospheres soul-gratifying transporting me to bygone days when harmony seemed so charged and real and firmly in grasp but now I catch my breath the hands of death stroking my neck with crimes permeating the air all my periphery perceives is bleak an arsenal of arch nemeses filling my computer screens and there is no recourse no reprieve beyond chasing the fickle pleasures momentary warmth distinctly lacking in these fragments of experience corrupted by distraction my connection is mined from the area benign invisible spaces the glowing white in the eye of smiling human faces Here is my reply, “Human Evening” O silver blue and pulsing glow beneath the window, cars below Make tender hum with you by breaking rules of God And yet your gentle, changing hues transport me well, I’m nodding off You little hellbox mirror for all the darkest human thoughts. And yet your silver, yet your speed, yet your unrelenting greed Disturb me not, can’t leave you off, not while you kindle still so much. For who in timeless windswept moors would ever dream to want to know What sad machines that softly glow would almost bring, could almost show? Good, humble ancients, counting stones would also fall asleep Beside my window, faces plain, wrapped in comfort, deep. Eight thousand changing seasons hence nine thousand solemn years, Still every homo sapien will frown at boxes sating fears. Thanks again Pablo! Be sure to check out his work:
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