motions in an apathetic circle

A Poem by jacob erin-cilberto

i want to be intellectual,

but simple

i want to write deeply metaphorical poetry

yet easily imagined and related to

i want to be sophisticated in my manner

yet approachable

i want to write tragedy

in comic tones

i want to be me,

yet Gary Cooper, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Bogart

smoking a cigarette on a dark corner of life

i want to love you till the end of time,

but be by myself more often than not

i want to write you engaging poetry

without caring if it is accepted or rejected

i want to be immune

yet feel every ache, cut, scar

that bleeds existence into a poet

i want to be you

not me,

never me

i want to live outside myself

in the safety of my own mind

i want you to understand

all that i don't

and hold that in highest regard

without regards to what i write

after all

it's all just a bluff

and i am holding a dead hand

even as the fingers still touch

the breathing keys.

erin-cilberto

6/7/17

© 2017 jacob erin-cilberto

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Reviews

Jon Roggie

How else to look at our own work? Doubts cause self-ridicule. Learning to distance from a familiar write takes practice, and a touch of pain.

Posted 6 Years Ago

6 Years Ago

you are so right, Jon...thank you.
j.

John Alexander McFadyen

Wow Jacob! This has an incredible tone that alters as it progresses. It begins with a slow and reasoned expression that develops into bright artistic desire but ends in the tragedy of aging and losing faith in life and love. So full of pathos.

Posted 6 Years Ago

Surya

Dead fingers touch the breathing keys......Every line I feel as from my own conscience...I loved it...:)

Posted 6 Years Ago

6 Years Ago

thank you for your kind comment, Surya...
j.

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1312 Views
23 Reviews

Shelved in 5 Libraries

Added on June 8, 2017
Last Updated on June 8, 2017

Author

jacob erin-cilberto

Carbondale, IL

About

Originally from Bronx, NY, I live in Carbondale, Illinois...teach English at a community college and have been writing and publishing poetry since 1970. I am here to read for inspiration from other po.. more..