I'm no T.S. Eliot

inspired by Sharonlee's "Conversations with the Universe"

I'm no T.S. Eliot

i am sorry, 

but this will not be "the great poem"

the masterpiece with golden words

it won't be taught in Literature classes

or even in English 101 as an introduction to poetry

it will just be some average lines

with average words

for the average reader

to sop up

then mop up

afterwards, the spillage

of verbiage

that never made the final cut

but ended up like a drunk, totally wasted

swimming in his own vomit of stupidity

wishing he could talk straight

without slurring

as i wish to write a poem

that would be ever enduring

that readers would claim to wish

to have written themselves

i am sorry

i only have the keys

to type a used poem

with lots of mileage

but you can have it real cheap

and have me real cheap

with or without my poems.

erin-cilberto

9/1/19

Reviews

[Tory]

Well, well. This poem brought a smile to my face. A genuine one. It's funny how many poets can be raw and open with their audience about their struggles, their pain, or their joys. And yet I say here you've accomplished something I haven't seen any poet accomplish: being raw and open with the audience about...writing poetry! I love it :)

My favorite part has to be you comparing your poem to a drunk.I think we all have a piece of writing that we feel that way about lol totally relatable.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Tory,
j.

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

I'm giving you a lil' giggle with this review....It's made me remember I should be writing even when I'm not writing! Thank you J!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for the smile, Queenie.
j.

[chrysantheranium]

"to sop up
then mop up
afterwards, the spillage
of verbiage"

I love those lines! I feel like this is a struggle many artists and authors alike have. We're surrounded by so many inspirational pieces, and although they fuel the need to keep working and writing and creating, they can also be discouraging... We compare ourselves to our "masters," we compare our work to the works that inspire us, and we set aside these insufferable standards that we don't let ourselves meet, simply because we make the mistake of "comparing with" instead of "building from." You presented this feeling in a very unique way, even if you may feel that this poem is mediocre - it's relateable to every creator, I'd think, and it's a wonderful read. Good work!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very insightful and kind review,
j.

[Patricia]

well done, always enjoy your writes, writing something ever enduring is the goal, I am sure you already have my friend!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

still trying, Pat..but thank you for your kind words,
j.

[Cherrie Palmer]

your next title "slightly used poems for sale"
"Buyer beware: collection comes with poet"
We have such a need to connect, connecting with people yes, but more than that we try on feelings, and want to connect with them. Then we want to capture them in such away that the reader can feel them too.

..and if wine is going to make you blue I'm taking it away :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insights, and the smile...
wine might if i drank it...better never acquired a taste for it.
appreciate your visit, Cherrie.
j.

[Cherrie Palmer]

I am akways delughted when I swing by.

[Lorry]

You are as far removed from average lines as a gummy bear is to a turnip, Jacob.
Only have the keys to type used poems, is a case in point. I'll be telling people behind your back that I wrote that one 😀

[jacob erin-cilberto]

ha ha, thanks, Lorry....
j.

[Eugi]

“Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood.” ― T.S. Eliot

There's nothing average about this poem, my friend. Well written.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Eugi.
j.

[Eugi]

Most welcome!

[R.E. Ray]

Ah, humility and humor in one poem! I can't help but wonder who among the great poets and other writers actually realized success while alive. And, I often think about Hemingway, drinking as he pounded on an old typewriter, wondering if he ever said, "I can't believe people pay to read something so simple?"

As for T.S. Eliot, it's a good thing you're not him. I recall Emerson once wrote, "Envy is ignorance, Imitation is suicide"... or something similar. Always good to read your original work like this one.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i can imagine Hemingway saying that...
but his simplicity is deep, my students and i have great discussions with "Hills like White Elephants"
thanks for the visit and your words, R.E.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

You don't need to be a T S Eliot, your poetry is unique and there is no need to offer any apologies for anything you have written. You have your doting fans here and who knows what comes further down the line. Filled with the pathos that writers often feel about their own efforts.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Chris,
j.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Love that last verse it’s so original great Jacob

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Julie.
j.