The Mailman

inspired by Paul's "The Letters"

the Mailman

you were sweet words

and a stamp

i was distance,

licked envelope flaps

and unreadable cursive

then we were in the same mailbox

which got smaller and smaller

until the letters were from lawyers

(not ones in love)

and there were plaintiffs

and defendants 

decrees and degrees of friction

then letters of dismissal

dissolution

and evolution

resurrection

as life went on as usual

and there was an unusual calm

that pervaded

after you had so beautifully invaded

my postmark

and left your date

on the seal

of my good nature

postage due.

erin-cilberto

10/30/17

Reviews

[Paul Bell]

To start with in any relationship, there's just two.
Circumstances can change this into three.
Then as you put it so affectionately.
This can lead to all sorts of people invading your privacy. I don't get why you can have drive through marriages. But no drive through divorces. Need to ask my lawyer that question. Or just ask the real lawyers in the bar.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i'd like to know what he or she says about the drive-thru divorces...

thank you for your comment...and for the inspiration to write this one. it is magic how reading others' works and can suddenly get our fingers moving over the keys.

j.

[Paul Bell]

I must admit, Jacob. I'm glad I came across this site.
The diversity is amazing. I was actually tampering with the idea of taking a line off ten different poets, just to see how it would turn out. So if you see a line of yours amongst others. It was done with good intentions.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Hi enjoyed this
Love the mail and checking my letter box
Not the bills or brochures

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words and the smile, Julie.
j.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

No problem yes well enough can’t complain I work in a cancer dept so lots worse

[Beccy]

Perhaps forever stamps are the answer. :))

Masterly as always; I do so very much admire your writing jacob.

Beccy.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Beccy,
j.

[Kasey Miriam]

This contains beautiful, ugly truth.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Kasey....
j.

[Moonie]

What a unique and fresh metaphor to potray the toils and transitions in a relationship. The end hits hard. The whole poem is perfectly worded. I wouldn't change a thing!! An excellent poem, Sir!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review......

j.

[barleygirl]

Many long-ago memories of the way things were done the long & hard way . . . not like the abrupt ghost disappearances of today's online relationships! Love your artfully-crafted metaphor loaded with emotion (((HUGS))) Fondly Margie

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Margie.
j.

[barleygirl]

Coincidentally, after reading both yours & Paul's poem, I had dinner with a friend that's been married SIX times! I've had many blunders, but marriage is not one of them. As my friend discussed his "ex-vs-ex" issues, I found myself relating to your poems all the more! *smile*

[Fabian G. Franklin]

"Return to sender, address unknown..." As Elvis might have said. Collected belongings sent by parcel post. Great metaphor as always. I enjoyed.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Fabian.

j.

[KWP]

what a unique way to portray the end of a relationship ... I like the transitions over time ... its all there ... we can see and feel the disappointment, tension and anger ... we can see it all between the lines. And it's painful.

I like it X

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you so much for reading me, and your kind words, KWP.
j.

[Alfred Kukitz]

as sad as this poem was I really got a chuckle out of it. What an Imaginative love affair gone to junk mail.

regards,
al

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, my friend...
j.

[Gabriel]

You're amazing with words. This is a masterpiece!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Gabriel....

j.

[andrew mitchell]

Had to laugh something must have triggered us both to write about stamps and relationships for I also had a stamp write but I shall now shelve for awhile. A lovely w rite Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, andrew.
j.