the times

the Times

 

 

the fire is dwindling

the rug, downy soft,

as i touch you where

it hurts me to love

 

i flinch at the sound

of your fingers

tracing my lines of puzzlement

like a crossword that both

longs and fears being filled in.

 

i am a New York bred noun

with droll adjectives attached

getting cold even as the embers

burn me in effigy

 

even you turned away from the flame

when you knew me better

i am still flinching

and you are no longer there

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

1/7/2021

Reviews

[phill..m]

J, I took your advice and never read, Please don't read this,but just had to let you know I listened. Chomsky said Poetry makes us think, we have to look for a meaning because it's compressed, the most compressed part is the Title. Hope all is well, Phill.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for the smile, phill,
j.

[barleygirl]

I've never seen anyone paint a tapestry that shouts "I FEEL LIKE A DISCARDED PIECE OF RUBBISH!" more deeply than this. I love your abstract depictions becuz every detail is fresh & intensely felt (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Margie.
j.

[AJNJ]

like a crossword that both
longs and fears being filled in.

We are always so conflicted when it comes to love. We want to be filled in and yet we fear to open up. Perhaps here lies the basic problem. When we burn within, the flames can be too strong and drive the loved one away. Then we flinch at the rejection....I totally appreciate.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, too strong...thank you for your words, AJNJ...
j.

[DIVYA]

We are never sure of acceptance. How can we when we are our own greatest critics?. Like two eyes turned inwards, watching ourselves with a bit of disdain. The reasons they left become more about us than them. There was such a sad feeling to these lines.....

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, we are our own worst, aren't we?
Thank you, DIVYA,
j.

[Helen]

This poem invokes strong feelings with powerful words. I loved the lines

as i touch you where
it hurts me to love

Love is always such a risk, especially when we've already been burned.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Helen,
j.

[John the Baptist]

Communication can be a b***h. Many turn away from the flame when they misunderstand its source.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and misunderstanding runs rampant.
thank you, John,
j.

[Dave]

This strikes me as a very sad remembrance of lost love. When the fire and passion that was once there is dimming to the point of becoming nothing more than ashes.
Take care - Dave

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Dave,
j.