allow for the variables

allow for the variables

 

old engineer

solves equations

with a well-oiled mind

 

looks at poetry 

with the skepticism 

and sarcasm

 

of an old engineer

who has mathed his way to the top

of the units he climbs

 

construction

his bailiwick

deconstruction 

mine

 

now an old poet

raised by that skeptic

I have engineered memories

he'd be proud of 

 

as I finally solved the equation

of what he meant to me

all of the variables lie dormant now

but the solution

matches the letters I wrote him

but never sent

 

love can defy gravity

engineers may write a poem

and poets might engineer

a solution to life's question

 

why Have I Englished my way

to the bottom,

maybe Dad can figure that out

 

and give me the answer

when we meet up 

on the next unit.

 

 

erin-cilberto

1/31/2021 

Reviews

[Robert Trakofler]

well if you worked your way to the bottom then you have a few more feet to dig to get down to my level:/ I can say with absolute certainty that your father is smiling down at you from his lofty position! I have been lucky that my dad has read my words and is impressed he says he doesn't always understand them but he enjoys them for 4o years he didn't know about my closet poetry until one day he found a published piece and now he gets mad if i don't send him my latest:)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

but isn't it cozy at the bottom? did you bring the beers?

I think my dad is smiling...I hope he is....
The only time my dad really complimented my poetry is when I did the PBS show Studio A Cafe...and did a poetry/blues duet with my clarinetist friend Eric.
It was fun....and we got our own half hour special during the last year of the show, after doing several short segments on the program.
j.

[Robert Trakofler]

oh wow, I wish I could see that show! any links? that would be awesome to see!!! P.S. i bring some of my friends homemade wine

[Coyote Poetry]

Yes, me too Jacob.
"and give me the answer
when we meet up
on the next unit."
I like and I will do. Maybe the old mentor will know the real answer? Hello my friend and thank you for sharing the entertaining and amazing poetry.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Coyote, I am still learning.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Jacob.

[Lorry]

Perhaps we only get to solve one piece of the puzzle, but each puzzle has its family and love ones close and when connected, we don't even realise we spend so long looking over our shoulder at the next pieces work and having a slightly different angle, see things they missed. But they do that to us too, unknowingly or knowingly and I'm sure some of their silence is pride at what their child can do that he finds incomprehensible.
Maybe if he tried he could write a poem that would end all poetry... Just don't go round trying to build any bridges Jacob 😊

[jacob erin-cilberto]

what an incredible review...and as yours always do...helps me learn just a bit more about myself.read morewhat an incredible review...and as yours always do...helps me learn just a bit more about myself.

thank you, Lorry,
j.

[Lorry]

You are too kind, but thank you/ you're welcome

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Some equations never quiet tally up but the common denominator is always love ...defying gravity and loosening all...1+1 sometimes equals 11...2 side by side....🌹

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Kelly...
j.

[‘Thoughts In Time’🌹]

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[Patricia Wedel]

Engineers never die.... they just evaluate
the variables. Working for Engineers was my Balliwick for years..
and then I worked with Patent Attorneys which was a "Shoe-in" because
the Specifications is what it is all about.... "Intellectual Property".
truly, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I have a section of my 102 class in which we discuss "Intellectual Property"---interesting perspectives from students as to exactly what that is. Thank you, Pat,
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

It started out that Robots were “Intellectual Property”... but then I discovered that WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) in Geneva, Switzerland, is the Headquarters— and encompasses all Patents. I remember typing Specifications for a Robot... Perhaps it prepared me to understand Poetry and
Poets to a greater Degree. Also, our Poet Margie Barley Girl was a Technical Writer for years... go figure... the Mystery of the Mind. truly, Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

As we get older, we realize why our parents told us some of the things they told us. It is a wonderful epiphany actually. You have not Englished your way to the bottom though. I think you have climbed the beanstalk your dad "mathed" for you. If you do meet him in the next "unit", he will be proud. I really felt this one, Jacob. Our parents were our foundation and even though they are gone, their words and thoughts live on through us. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your understanding words, Lydi...that beanstalk was awfully tall.
j.

[DIVYA]

This is so heartbreakingingly beautiful...yes, I think he'd be proud of the way you solved life's equations. Ultimately, engineering with love is what really counts. He must be smiling somewhere, waiting to tell you some day that you excelled! Kudos!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

He was a good man.....short on compliments and hugs for most of our time together, but the last few years...it was different.
Hugs and compliments became commonplace, and I finally learned of his appreciation for me as my own person.
thank you, DIVYA,
j.

[Ted Kniffen]

Fathers. Hard to live with ... even harder to live without.
Mine served in the engineers during WW2 ... does that count?

We look back and say 'what if' when we already know the answer. There is no magic to change the situation.

I like your take on the relationship ... the first poem I ever wrote was for my dad ... he asked if I had actually written it.

Good one j.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

of course it counts..during WW2, my dad helped design ships for the navy...they worked for Gibson Cox...he and his buddy....then they tried to enlist but were turned down...told they were needed to design the ships not sail on them.

[Ralph Proenza (Docralph..]

I LOVE this metaphorical poetic narrative. It strikes at the heart of many father/child relationships, I'm sure! -Ralph

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Ralph...appreciate your kind words.
j.

[andrew mitchell]

Acting in theatre had the same stigma attached back then not seen as a real job in those same days. One had to get a real job! Great writing with this one, polished as , a real gem.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think poets are actors in a way...we perform our little skits of rhyme or free verse monologues hoping the audience will connect.
thank you, andrew,
j.