love's fragile focus

love's fragile focus

 

 

snapshot snap shut

the eyes reddened

an old Polaroid

of when we could be captured together

within that little white border 

perfect colors,

except for those eyes

 

something raging,

under the surface

beneath the waves of smiles

lurking,

 

a man-of-war stinging a heart

penetration to the veins

the blissful blood stopped like a clock

coagulating in cogent carelessness

 

but now that album

rests in dusty repose

and most of the pictures in my mind

 

are of me, alone.

as someone clicked the shutter

before my blinds were drawn

 

and the sorrow i felt

was overexposed 

...

 

 

erin-cilberto

10/31/15

Reviews

[Alfred Kukitz]

You almost make me feel bad being a photographer. However, I find your words and ideas on par with a Leica or other fine cameras.

Regards,
al

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you are a wonderful photographer, my friend....

and thanks for your kind words,

j.

[...]

I always prefer B&W photos. They seem to capture "loves fragile focus" more deeply without the distraction of color. Another heart tugging piece of art, Jacob

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, lynn...and me too on those old B&W photos...

j.

[dan]

jacob, a lot of delicious old-school photography references (some of your readers may not know what a Polaroid id), brought back memories of looking through my parents old photo albums, the dreaded red-eye (before THAT meant an LA to NY flight). And the end when you are alone in the pics dwelling in your mind's eye is very poignant and heart tugging. I'm saving this one in my library favorites, so thank you for that. Very well done, sir. take care...dan

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, the other "red eye"

thank you for your very kind review, dan.

my parents old photo albums are all old black and white pictures...from the 20's 30's and their grandparents and aunts and uncles...really old old pics...but so cool...

thanks again,

j.

j.

[rubie]

this one makes me think of S & G's "Kodachrome"....

i love that song, and the message therein....

great piece, my friend....

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, a Paul Simon solo hit...but sounds so much better in concert when they do it together...

thank you for your words, rubie....you know how i feel about S&G ....so your comment is much appreciated.

[rubie]

ahhh. yes, i forgot. it was a solo by simon....

thanks for the correction....

[Autumn Lyric]

Ahh the old, faithful polaroid... love your poems for there clear and condensed style and just sheer connections of human nature. your last three stanzas stand out in my mind as if I really know this feeling, very emotional and we all feel this at some point in our lives, the sadness and of times being the last one standing reflecting on the memories of the past when we all could fit into that white border and smile... Nicely done...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, LaShaye...

j.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Jacob, even in the fifties, we were cool
with our Polaroid cameras and red eyes.
Now we worry about losing our cherished
photos on our I-phones due to lack of storage
and not understanding I-cloud. Love's
fragile focus. truly🐯 Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Pat.
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

i learn and re-enforce my learning whenever i read your stuff ...you use so many of the tools of poetry and your metaphors are always strong ... reading this poem i feel this subtle sadness ... it is a weight but years have trimmed it bearable :}
and oh those polaroids ... very cheap but a marvel when introduced ... thought i was doing OK having bought one ... a little more for the film but less expensive than taking them in to be finished ... so many of mine have lost the glue and the backs have separated from the pics :( getting old really can be a b***h ;)
E.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your keen insights into the poem, E. and your kind words...always inspiration in reading poetry, i think...

j.

[Einstein Noodle]

:) yep! ........

[ms. barrie]

remarkable metaphors depicting a melancholic, cynical state of emotions/mindset
your pen always leaves an intriguing mark on the reader
thank you for sharing!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, barrie...

j.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

" All my colors seem to fade to black and white..." I always enjoy the metaphors.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

ah they do do that, don't they?

thank you, Fabian.

j.

[B. Boileau]

Through the eyes of Laura Mars ? A magnificent testament to melancholy memory and how one's persective changes in time. As always a pleasure Im glad your unblocked !
bill

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Bill...

j.

that was a really cool movie, by the way...Faye Dunaway...