the ghost of Christmas Past

the ghost of Christmas Past

I spoke to Sylvia yesterday

she gives her regards to

"the peanut crunching crowd

shoving in to see them unwrap

me hand and foot"

like a little toddler on Christmas morning

tearing into packaging

opening the box 

to tears of joy

Sylvia said she felt joy yesterday

but yesterday was a life away

from her now

she shed a tear of necessity

died a couple months

after the tree shed

and needed to be rejected

much like she shed her heart

to that poet

who wrapped her in betrayal

and sent her sleighing into madness

I spoke to Sylvia yesterday

then she "rocked herself shut

like a seashell"

I could hear the ocean as she whispered

goodbye.

erin-cilberto

12/25/2020

Reviews

[andrew mitchell]

Sylvia Plath like so many, Robin Williams comes to mind where sometime in their life they did have a moment of happiness. Tragically it is those around that fail them not recognising their covered minds.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your understanding words, andrew,
j.

[Lorry]

Ironically, I lost the thread of what I was saying, as I dropped my phone and it jumped to another page. (maybe she disagreed with my sentiment)
Feeling joy yesterday could feel like a world away to her and many more, caught in the tsunami of fear a fragile mind can find without looking, but I do believe she would make for a courteous and attentive conversationalist. Isn't it the way that some can solve others problems whilst their own leaves them looking like a child trying to unwrap presents with boxing gloves on?
And the protective shell must have felt so secure, right up until it was trodden on.
Love when you throw us these bones Jacob, always fascinating to see what others saw in someone I saw too.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful review, Lorry...
I think I may fail with the boxing gloves on...I am not that talented.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

Once, they force me to read Sylvia poetry. I tried Jacob. Did Sylvia like the ocean? Sylvia, I hope she knew some joy in her life. In some photos. She looked content. Hello my friend and thank you for sharing the interesting Christmas poem.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I did my masters thesis on her and Anne Sexton....
loved both of them...yes, very dark both being suicide poets...
but what talent...
In a few spots she had some joy, but always short lived.

[Coyote Poetry]

One of the great poets and you are welcome Jacob.

[Ted Kniffen]

Haunting ... beautiful sentiments ... truly wraps up Christmas ghosts with a poet's eye.
Funny, there is no name other than Sylvia and yet everyone seems to know the last name is Plath ... not Hughes ... although she may have used that moniker at one time or another.

"Sylvia said she felt joy yesterday" ... this line says it all ... that one time in her short tragic life she may have actually felt joy.

Well done j.
We seem to be on the same Plathian wavelength at the moment.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Ted...yes, definitely on the same wavelength..
j.

[Lydia Shutter]

Sylvia Plath....you have written of her before. So did she fall in love with a poet or did Victoria Lucas fall for him? The imagery is stunning....shedding one's heart only to have it wrapped in betrayal! Joy....it is fleeting, but we must remember it....we must. Foggy, this is deep poetry. I love it. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

She did, Lydi. But I am quite sure she would tell you it was Victoria.
the secret is contained in the Bell Jar itself.
thank you for your kind review...yes I have often written of her...I always loved her work but more so after doing my masters thesis on her Sexton.
Fascinating poet both on the paper and off.
j.

[Ken Simm.]

I love poems of complexity. where I have difficulty immediatly understanding all the layering but on further readings I find my experiences will allow me to follow more into the poets intentions. This is one such and I too then find myself listening to Sylvia.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Ken, for delving into this one...
glad you could find something worthwhile within.
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Jacob... I find your poem somewhat comforting .. as I would prefer to pass away by the Sea .. Rocking myself Shut ... like a Seashell ... hearing the Ocean as I say Goodbye. A beautiful Sentiment. Gently, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Pat,
j.