Occasional Bells

Occasional Bells

 

 

1972, with you and bells,

not wedding, the blue jean kind

i liked you in them and out of them

just as well,

 

the roots of you showed, broken home,

on your own, too grown

too fast

blond dye, in studious increments

backpack of academic prowess,

i followed you to class

sat behind your wisps of secret thoughts,

whistling to myself some old 60's song

i can barely remember now.

 

but you looked straight ahead,

to and through our future,

while i was left with an old pair of denims

and an empty backpack,

 

looking at wedding pictures

wondering if you really ever happened...

 

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

4/9/16

Reviews

[Nisreen]

I love how you shift through time by using those denims
a beautiful way you see her
and in a way

its like you saw her and knew she was the one
everything about this poem is a work of art

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, she was...i thought, and for longer than awhile...i thought...thank you for your words, Nisreen...

j.

[icelandicblue]

First let me say that I believe the first stanza is absolutely exquisite and very very cleverly constructed. We move through pivotal moments together, our paths cross, we occupy moments of time together, and yet we find ourselves in different places decades later. We can never remain the people that we were, sometimes the most that we can hope is to hold on to the best of those parts and savor them. We relive them in our memories, and in those moments they become real again. My favorite thing is when those memories infiltrate my dreams and I am able to spend more time with them, interact with them and feel texture of that time. I like the dreamscape because time really has no power there.I love your work Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words in your review, Anne.

j.

[icelandicblue]

I think I know who you are writing about and I hope that she visits you in those dreams often. I was remiss in forgetting what had happened...

[Warrior]

I like the memory aspect of this poem, how the person is recalling to a time in their life.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, B-law.
j.

[Kirsty Woodward]

This is a beautiful piece & really sparks some different emotions. I feel nostalgic when reading this, remembering a certain time in ones life/relationship but also a longing for that person. I'm not sure if thats exactly what you were trying to convey, but that's what I got. It's a funny feeling to look back at ones pictures & remember a certain time with a certain person. How life & people change & nothing ever turns out how we think it will. But, I guess that's the surprise of life.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i really like your insightful review, and have always had the philosophy that what a reader sees and if a reader can relate some way, that is what i was trying to convey...

i appreciate your words.

j.

[Matching Socks]

That's a tough one isn't it. Looking at the old wedding pictures.
We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun and then the hurricane came in...
Still, memories are memories and some are good.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, and in this case, many good ones...the earlier ones...

i like your Terry Jacks reference...

thanks for your review, Ana.
j.

[Matching Socks]

You're welcome Jacob. :)

[DIVYA]

She did happen, for you to recall the blonde dye and empty backpack in such detail from 1972. But it could be that the mist of the past has made the golden hues seem a shade more golden then they really were and therfore the musing over what could have been, a bit more painful. A poem so appreciated.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, DIVYA, yes, she was very real...fortunately and unfortunately...:)))

j.

[DIVYA]

You are most welcome...

[Zugzwang]

The memories of past dreams...we reflect on them and wonder if the past was ever real. It's funny the things our minds turn to when we reflect on the past.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

like sheryl crow sang "was it every really real"

j.

[Zugzwang]

She's good, I'll have to check that one out!

[James]

Very nice. I love the way you describe the memory, trying to remember the detail. I don't go quite that far back, but I can certainly remember that initial infatuation, following her around trying to think of just the right thing to say.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, and sharing how you relate...

j.

[Lydia Shutter]

A poignant write. Reflecting on the past and wondering how everything could change...not even caring if it changed for the better. The photos are the proof, but the memories you pen make it even more real. Bell bottom jeans, back packs, and 60's songs.....I remember it well and you brought me back. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review....and sharing how you relate.

j.

[B. Boileau]

Notes of Bell Bottom Blues... somewhat melancholy wisps of secret thoughts are. Sometimes tey are worth having. The images in this remind me of old flash back romances. I really enjoyed it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your thoughts, bill...appreciate your kind words.

j.