as thyself....

as thyself....

 

 

 

splintered religion

and i am still picking at the wooden cross

embedded in my soul

 

my heart spent its prayers

on Friday fasts 

and too long Lent lasts

 

i loved as implored

by the words between the covers

but she was in a different book

 

and i, looking up to the wall,

watched him watch me

wondering if i were just hanging on to a blind faith

 

and that if my good eyes

really saw you,

the amen of my devotion would 

 

arrive prematurely

grieving at the foot of that cross.

 

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

3/10/19

Reviews

[Benita-Staebell M - Kin..]

Such a beautiful
description my friend

splintered religion
and i am still picking at the wooden cross
embedded in my soul

Most go more towards
the religion it self more
and it's about that intimate
relationship with jesus.

Prayer can be
a personal poem
of the heart and
tears without any
words.

And I find peace
in tears of prayer.

Thank you for sharing

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Benita,
j.

[Benita-Staebell M - KindredPoet]

You're welcome my friend
I always enjoy reading your
work and I always enjoy
your reviews full of wisdom
Thank you my friend.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“But she was in a different book”-could she have been non-Catholic? J., I read here the impossibility, or at least the very high price, of veering away from the tenets and doctrines of a Catholic upbringing- even when love tempts one away. I may be wrong though. Whatever causes the rift, your metaphor of picking at the splinters of Christ’s wooded cross- of the pain and Catholic guilt and self-flagellation- is all too real. The indoctrination goes much too deep, like it or not. I recognize the truth of your words and share them.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

a very interesting perspective, Annette and sure, that fits nicely...i am enjoying the different interpretations of this piece...thanks for taking some time to visit it. Appreciate your insights.

j.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You are welcome j.!

[kentuck14]

As I have mentioned elsewhere on this site . . . faith is a fragile thing. But it is persistent enough to challenge all that we think we believe. A beautiful lyric here, Jacob . . . an honest look at the precarious space between heaven and earth. Sometimes the spiritual in us gets tangled up with the soul in us . . . or our spiritual side gets broadsided by someone's reckless soulish driving!
This poem offers a lot to think about, my friend.
Tom

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful words regarding this piece, Tom.
appreciate your visits very much.
j.

[andrew mitchell]

It was like she was in two minds, wanting to believe but not sure after all maybe to her it’s just a cross and nothing more, what if! Splendid writing j.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, andrew,
j.

[andrew mitchell]

my utmost pleasure Jacob as some one as you of fine writing and poetic calibre of the highest degree I am honoured to have you visit my page. Without you 95% of the time I am nothing with my writes, you bring my page to life on your visit. Cheers to you my friend.

[Stella Armour]

Mary grieving at the foot of that cross .... and the splinters are still pricking at souls .
Indoctrination has a lot to answer for ..

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Stella.
j.

[Cherrie Palmer]

I like how you sketche this, at the foot of the cross religion splinters.
The last line makes me wonder about the bleak ending.
I think as with all faith, hope is our claim to his grace.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and in relationships as well...thank you so much for your insightful words, Cherrie.
j.

[Cherrie Palmer]

You always ask the reader to look, see and feel.

[Mark Mendoza]

How powerful a faith to move us to embracing its symbols that show all around with respect and love. Thank you for sharing j.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful words, Mark.
j.

[H.L. Cerveise]

Well penned Jacob. I so loved the lines, "'..still picking at the wooden cross embedded in my soul." Those words sum up so well how our belief system is deep within us and is both good and bad. Well done!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, H.L.

j.

[Onlyme]

Profoundly beautiful poem Jacob. it's so true. We seek and want to believe and look constantly for comfort guidance and a more stronger faith in general.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Dawn,
j.

[Onlyme]

Thank you Jacob for your poetry, as you make us think, contempt and seek more in our lifes. bless you in general Jacob.

[DIVYA]

The roots of our faith go much deeper than we would like to think. We want to believe and keep looking for signs. We carry the Cross in us. It remains in us much as we try to pick its splintered wood out. Beautifully written, Jacob...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, DIVYA,
j.