the ventriloquist under the covers

the ventriloquist under the covers

 

 

she does her best impression

of a tear,

it's glass

she's fragile and quakes

at his stillness

 

even in life,

she feared him,

tried to find a bond

something to attach an emotion

nervous laughter

 

he doesn't respond now

the voice will never soften in her ear

she'll find rest eventually

 

but the glass will always risk

shattering,

long after he's gone.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

3/4/17

Reviews

[Mary]

Your poem captures the long lasting effects of abuse, even death of the abuser is not liberating. Love the ventriloquist metaphor.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

interesting interpretation...i love seeing how poems are intuited...thank you for your thoughts, Mary.
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

fine job jacob! your poem captures that fragility throughout ..matters not he is dead and gone ..i wonder if she did the deed herself and is standing over the body now .. abuse never is erased .. ever .. those abused carry it no matter healing that goes on .. you say it brilliantly, says i, in that closing .. she remains delicate glass .. and always carries the risk of shattering .. i love this poem for it speaks out for those abused .. so many .. way too many my friend
E.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insights, my friend...

j.

[.]

A very thought provoking poem!

Your use of the word ventriloquist makes me ponder on the metaphor behind the word; one that controls the motion and voice of another. Whoever she is, her life must have been a difficult one...controlled and mastered to the point that even though she is now free of those strings, she will always remain afraid and fragile and open to breaking apart at the slightest nudge.

An excellent piece, Jacob. Certainly made this reader think. Very well done.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful thoughts on this one, Doodley.

j.

[Jimmy Yetts]

An abusive husband (or partner) I gather. who's gone on to his just desserts.
Devastatingly portrayed, Jacob!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

interesting reading of this...thank you, Jimmy...i like where you took it...means i got it somewhat universal in presentation.
j.

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

I never let my self believe I was afraid of him. Never let him see any fear in my eyes...in my nature. I walked away when things got too intense. But today. I still look behind me often....still say nothing rather than what I'm really thinking. I find myself walking at the edge of Shadows. It stays. It changes...even when it's hidden in your pocket. I'll never be free of it...never be free of the way it's made me.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

but i am figuring it has made you stronger---and that you have been able to dance away from those shadows....at least far enough that you can walk in your own sun.
thank you for sharing, Queenie...
j.

[Giulia King]

The title got me here, it's different and interesting.
This one really tugged on my heartstrings! I can relate to this one so much..

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Gullia...
j.

[Giulia King]

You're welcome :)

[redzone]

heartbreaking poem Jacob... death hardly ever leaves us with closure.. it haunts either in ways that sadden you for the loss, happy for knowing them, or in this case you lead us into the place where the haunting is one of fear, of heartbreak from abuse/fear of one kind or another.

and sometimes the tear does shatter, because they are no longer there to stand up against them it is the demons they leave behind, the ones in your mind that are even harder to tune out...

chillingly stated poem Jacob... one that will haunt for a while I think...

redzone

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Curt.
j.

[Troy Henson]

This one resonates with me so well in more ways than one, Jacob. I often express too people "never wonder what if as one day it will be too late" and its often not a notion I've taken on board myself until just recently.
Wonderful write, thank you.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

glad you could find a way to relate to this piece, Troy--
thank you for sharing...
j.

[andrew mitchell]

Have the stake ready in case he rises! a chill of a. write j

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thanks, andrew.
j.

[Lydia Shutter]

Some children never make peace with their parents when they are alive and then, when it is too late, they spend their lives wondering what they did wrong or how things might have been. It's a slippery slope. Well expressed. So emotional. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Lydi...appreciate your words...

j.