Directions to Understanding

Directions to Understanding

 

 

what are your criteria 

to be loved,

and love back?

 

what are your guidelines?

I didn't see instructions

inside your heart

 

I am not adept

at just looking at illustrations

of what it should be

 

I need step by step 

steps to climb

just a simple man

 

I want to love

and the box said

for "16 to adult"

 

Merry Christmas is every day

of unwrapping you

and being able to 

 

put our hearts together

to be loved

and love back.

 

 

erin-cilberto

11/22/2020

Reviews

[barleygirl]

So many times, people have a set itinerary for how love should go . . . but I prefer when love can be a simple appreciation of whatever comes up from day to day, however each person feels & whatever each person wants to give. I feel sorry for your narrator, contorting himself according to a supposed prescription, but like so many people pleasers, he sees himself catching the knack & not questioning whether its worth it (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I agree with you....whatever comes up from day to day...exactly.
thank you for your words, margie,
j.

[andrew mitchell]

Great write J. Yes do we ever have directions, we go with the flow until someone or something changes the dynamics. It’s how we adapt quickly to these changes. But what of love, love seems to be this big void in which we fill and take out till it’s empty and then wonder where it has gone.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your insightful review, andrew,
j.

[Cassie]

loved this, I have missed reading you

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Cassie...you made my morning.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

Kind, wonderful and generous words shared Jacob. I loved the complete poem. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Coyote,
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Jacob.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Jacob, I love how you put this poem together (pun!) and how tender and loving it becomes in the last two verses. You give us a very welcome Christmas clue into how "just a simple man" thinks about a love construct-needing manuals and step-by-step instructions-so very enlightening! Yes, for sure "Merry Christmas is every day" because it abides in love and abides in our hearts. Early wonderful Christmas wishes sent to you, yours and whomever the focus of this poem may be...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review and I wish the same thoughts for your holiday season, Annette,
j.

[redzone]

perhaps you might title this poem as "Ikea Love Manual".... but they use illustration for their step by step, damn.... in truth, no one knows for sure why we are attracted to another person, there are a thousand theories about this.. but isn't attraction different than love??? and while there is no "put item A into item B then attach C with the D screws, instructions, the manual is mostly based on the societal norms and cultural values of the way society is organized... in other words it is up to us and for most of us, we have no friggin' clue... I personally believe that screw E needs to be used instead of D but then, what the hell do I know???? when it comes to 'love' agnosticism rules or is that anarchy??? probably both!!

another really nice poem Jacob... ah... er... is there a manual for this??? ;0)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

see? even your directions confuse me, Curt. I am horrible at putting things together, especially when the only directions are visual drawings.
I will try screw E and see how that works...
Anarchy in love...you are too funny.
thanks for the smile this morning...
j.

[John the Baptist]

The first part of the poem seems to be an instruction as to what is required. Possibly a little frustration here. By poem's end, though, the tone is more of reassurance. It seems things may be taking off, after all.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insight, John,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

You know J. after reading these lines I smiled and thought whatever happened to spontaneity? Love just happens. It doesn't need an instruction card. There is no right way or wrong way it just happens. And then I thought, what a business venture that could be. What a mint you could make if you had the perfect instruction card, easy directions to follow and then bingo. Satisfaction and Christmas everyday for anyone who wants to find love. This poem was sort of bitter sweet and amusing all in one. Raised quite a few emotions.

Chris

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Chris,
j.