the paradox of fairy tales

the paradox of fairy tales

A Poem by jacob erin-cilberto


the paradox of fairy tales

 

 

 

bedtime stories rush like waterfalls

into adolescence

surprise endings cause consternation

shotgun weddings, heroes' downfalls

 

the tales grow mundane

embellished for enticement

but fictionalized for infatuation

as the truth

 

runs out of energy

like the wattage on the night light

that helped us sleep better

 

and keep those monsters contained

                                                  in the closet...

 

 

 

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

11/21/15

© 2015 jacob erin-cilberto


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Featured Review

those fairy tales get to us when our eyes are new and the juice of origination is 100 proof...and yes, they do lose their wattage, so 007 has to keep circling through and mr schwarzenegger becomes pathetic, and tinkerbell has grown old on red carpet...but, nevertheless, they got us in the beginning, and taught us magic and red carpets, and set us free into the kingdoms of hope, where the good guy always wins in the end...great job jacob

Posted 8 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

jacob erin-cilberto

8 Years Ago

wonderful insights...and a smile...thank you for your review, Ed...

appreciate your w.. read more



Reviews

I have met some of those monsters and a few are not to bad, just misunderstood. They like to cuddle but because of poor hygiene no one likes to hug them.

Regards,
Al

Posted 8 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

8 Years Ago

:) thank you, Al...

yes, bad hygiene...thanks for the smile this morning..
read more
Nice fun piece you have crafted here. And fairy tales are a bit strange once you break them down.

Posted 8 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

8 Years Ago

thank you for your words, Willard,

j.
Simple thoughts are surely the stepping stones to mighty tomes!? Without the mixed mentions of tinkerbell, the ogre's roar, the dragon's fire... how on earth does a thinking mortal move into more adventurous worlds? Your words so often set me thinking, as they should... and these are no exception,

'..as the truth . runs out of energ .. like the wattage on the night light.. that helped us sleep better ..'



Posted 8 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

8 Years Ago

thank you for your kind review, emma...

j.
fairytales provide inspiration and vision for a life filled with smiles however as we tend to get older fairytales just don't seem to have the pull they use to. Sad really. Love the final line keeping monsters contained in the closet.



Posted 8 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

8 Years Ago

thank you for your words, Troy.

j.
How things change, how people evolve with time and how fairy tales become horror ones. I know one thing for sure, your talent and skills never run out of substance and creativity. A wonderful poem...:).....................

Posted 8 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

8 Years Ago

you are so kind, Sami...

thank you.

j.
Sami Khalil

8 Years Ago

You are welcome. .....:).......
Maybe if more of us believed in fairy tales they would come true more often, but ...monsters sleep better in closets, and most times they are more afraid of you than you are of them.

Posted 8 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

8 Years Ago

that is probably true....they are...like the bully at school whom the little guy punches in the face.. read more
love the last stanza.

life is no fairy tale, and so many privileged and pampered kids get a rude awakening when they get to school and life beyond school.

the best lesson we can teach our children is best put by the rolling stones: "You can't always get what you want..."

Posted 8 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

8 Years Ago

thank you for your words, rubie.
j.
Yeah, the monsters stayed in the closet but the skeletons started piling up.
Great read, Jacob!

Posted 8 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

8 Years Ago

ha, yes they do...thank you, Jimmy...

j.

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Added on November 25, 2015
Last Updated on November 25, 2015

Author

jacob erin-cilberto
jacob erin-cilberto

Carbondale, IL



About
Originally from Bronx, NY, I live in Carbondale, Illinois...teach English at a community college and have been writing and publishing poetry since 1970. I am here to read for inspiration from other po.. more..

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