a virtual me

a virtual me

on the 21st day of some month

in some year

at some point in time

the point is aimed at my heart

which doesn't really care anymore

because there is no nourishment

when only quiet exists

when only lonely exists

when only hands reach

and the preacher will preach

from a remote perch

somewhere confined in a make-believe church

a virtual altar

virtual pews

virtual bibles

with very real parables

of very real plagues

of very real death

on the 21st day of some month

in some year

at this particular point in time

this particular point in time

i pray to be the target

when only quiet exits

my hands are tired of reaching

i am no one.

erin-cilberto

11/21/2020

Reviews

[Patricia]

One can be surrounded by hundreds of people and feel this loneliness as if there was no one there. It can be just for a moment but that moment can feel like years, but add the virtual world it is overwhelming with all theses souls and no way to reach out but for a keyboard. This is a terrific emotional write!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, Pat,
j.

[Robert Trakofler]

boom! But those hands of yours have such a powerful reach! Jacob this is pure poetry at its best wow this is so damn good! I started writing about much the same theme this morning thinking about a lady i know that has been in quarantine for 10 months not leaving her room at her living facility in all that time! I feel so many hearts that are suffering right now! You painted those feelings brilliantly in this poem good sir!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for relating to my piece, brother bunny...
it is tough these days with all the separation...
j.

[Cherrie Palmer]

...when only hands reach...
Jacob this is power packed and timely.
...empty hands, for empty hearts. We will need to find that pioneer spirit, and with a little wisdom and care, fill our hands with life.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Cherrie,
j.

[Cherrie Palmer]

:) you are always welcome.

[Ruth]

Blimey - this reached the core Jacob, amazing Jacob! What to do when the void calls, attempt not to call back is an answer but then what if it is not so easy...one of my favourite pieces of yours :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it's never easy, is it, Ruth?
thank you for your kind words.
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

There is such an empty cavity, a chasm of hopeless depth when one is older, confined and lonely. Covid has emphasised this for many as the little comfort single elderly people had is not available under covid rules. Hoping this is not a feeling you share Jacob and simply another of your amazing contributions to poetry!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, John,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

We are safe in a virtual world. Step outside and there are risks. It is temporary. All things pass. This will be gone before too long but the loneliness of lives without people is taking a shocking toll. We are all someone even though it may feel as though we don't exist. Wishing you a good night's sleep and some peace.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, yes the toll.
appreciate you, Chris,
j.