days of splintered lore

days of splintered lore

the barn with rusted hinges

broken wood stanchions

clasping memories around the neck of tormented insight

the milk long dry

the teats, useless, hanging like a hound dog expression

no longer finding the scent of love

close the door, and let the swallows linger in pity

they saw us once when we were fertile

when we mattered,

but they repose in regretful flight

and simply remember the bustling heyday

when straw hopes mattered

and the cows knew enough

to come home

or lie together before a storm.

erin-cilberto

10/20/15

Reviews

[rubie]

the barn imagery is so spot-on with this one, because the most beautiful barns are the ones that are the oldest and have weathered the most storms...

terrific piece....so evocative.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, rubie.
j.

[alifeacoustic]

Ageing is seen as a disease to some, that only happens to others and they don't want to think of it happening to them, so they live in oblivion in the hope it will not touch them, but nothing can stop its path. Wonderfully captured, as ever Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, alife.

j.

[Zugzwang]

I really got a sense of wistfulness with this poem...the metaphors were painful and sad. But there was something peaceful and comforting about the barn...despite the decrepitude it's still home. So for me there was a sense of comfort with the sadness. I think this one will stay with me for a while.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i think barns are always filled with some kind of peace, have been for me since i was a little kid in Vermont...spent many hours in the comfort of them...smelling that hay...milking the gentle cows...

thank you, Zeitnot.

j.

[Zugzwang]

Ahhh...it makes more sense to me now. Thanks Jacob.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Jacob... Growing old is full circle
when love is more tender and skin becomes
softer, like a new born baby. Sights and sounds
of birdsong seems more beautiful... Dawn and
a new day with new adventures in a horse
and carriage. truly, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Pat....love your insights into my scribblings.

j.

[Chris]

this is wonderful, Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Chris.

j.

[Olivia]

I really enjoyed this piece, I felt like you were trying something different, and was really taken back about how good this it

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Olivia...

j.

[Insight "MH"]

The reality of being old and useless is hard to accept to some people, but to me, when I become old I will look at myself as a swan which becomes white and beautiful after being ugly at a young age as in the story of "The Ugly Duckling" I will become better than I was before. This poem is really beautiful and I especially like this line "when straw hopes mattered", lovely imagery. Thank you for sharing this fine piece.

Insight.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for sharing your thoughts on how you relate...

j.

[Insight "MH"]

You are mostly welcome.