58 years to the day---that pink dress

58 years to the day---that pink dress

it's going to be 2022

in a few minutes, 

feel an hour left to the fleeting life

that barges through decades

like a tow truck dragging my heart

through the dramatic surges,

the painful dirges

the flowers ticking away blossoms

that can't follow me where I will go

but the pond is deep

ashes fly

then sink into memory

it's going to be 2022

in a few minutes,

I think I will pick a few roses.

erin-cilberto

11/22/21

Reviews

[shadrach hah]

Hi Jacob, roses have always been my favourite flower, the essence and aroma of love. Roses always mean the same to me, no matter what the situation. That was a terrible day, Jacob. Even those who were not Americans were shocked by this terrible moment in history. I have had to learn what I can about this moment, through documentaries. I was about two years old. I still can't fully understand why this did happen. A deep sadness. Every time I see anything about JFK, I have a tear in my eye. That says a lot about the man, that his memory can still evoke such strong feelings. Have a wonderful evening....Mike.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Mike...it was a tough day....

I was in 8th grade...nuns told us to go home, President had been shot.
very surreal.

[shadrach hah]

It would be, Jacob. So many people were lost on that day, from the young to the old. Have a wonderful Friday....Mike.

[Patricia Wedel]

Yes, Jacob… Roses for a beautiful
Lady in Dallas…. I remember whom I was talking with and where I was when I heard on the Radio that JFK had been Shot… The World stood Still… Your Poetry is a Kiss of History… Amen

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, and those roses on the back seat of the blood spattered car...really haunting images from that day.
j

[Patricia Wedel]

I was about 25 years old and worked as a Secretary for Vitro Laboratories in Wheaton, Maryland where they designed Submarines for the Navy… we will always Mourn the loss of Camelot… especially in this day and age.. thanks for sharing… it must be Cold in Chicago… but you have your Memories to keep you Warm… tenderly, Pat

[John the Baptist]

Indeed, most memories do sink into that pond, but that day and that moment remain fused into my awareness, a phenomenon experienced by many at that time. I recall that pink dress and the great nationwide mourning that occurred. For years, I believed I would never experience an emotional shock to match that one. Then came a September day in 2001.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, very similar in impact....I was only in 8th grade when it happened....harder on September 11. I was watching about the first plane hitting, and then saw the second one as it hit.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
It is like most remember where they were both times, both days. Thank you, John,
j.

[Corset]

I remember my mother was still alive and weeping that day I was sitting on the floor in front of a black and white and too young for the dress to have any significance for me, but I remember the sobs and the feeling of confusion of why everyone has gathered about and cried, that's about it the rest I learned from documentaries. The reference to Roses is heart-wrenching, what were you doing that day Jacob? were you old enough to buy the beatles album that was released that day?

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I was in 8th grade when JFK was shot....the nun sent us home from school...
I didn't get that Beatle album that day, but eventually got all of them...and never forgot those newscasters trying to hold it together that day, Cronkite, McGee, Brinkley...etc.
thank you, Corset,
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I recently saw a documentary on the JFK assassination and the images of that pink dress still stood out in clarity beneath that bright sunlit day. The world stopped moving for that briefest of time. And we mourned in its colors. A very haunting and moving poem J.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Carlos,
j.

[Gee]

Had to Google this to understand...they say folk always remember what they were doing when this happened, so sad Jacob :(

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and some of us remember too vividly...thank you, Gee,
j..

[Dave Brown]

I never saw the pink dress but I still clearly remember sitting in my car between classes

[jacob erin-cilberto]

And I can just imagine the thoughts going through your mind at the time...much like many of us.
read moreAnd I can just imagine the thoughts going through your mind at the time...much like many of us.
j.

[lessa (kenzie)]

I'd rather pick roses and then rely on 2022, Who knows what this next year will bring, hopefully it is better than the past two. amazing write and one to ponder on.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

surely hope it is, Alex...
this has been a rough two years for sure.
thank you,
j.

[lessa (kenzie)]

I am hoping and praying on that. No problem

[Ruth]

Time is of the essence so it is said and isn't it just that as time flees ever more quickly...melancholic as it is elegantly articulated...how many take the time to pick roses or just be instead of doing...lovely write dear Jacob :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we need to pick them soon...tomorrow may not come.
a friend who was my age, just died of a heart attack last Saturday...pretty sudden and shocking...he was part of our trivia team....a really nice guy....took care of several friends' yards for free...a real giver....going to the visitation later today.
j.

[Ruth]

I am so sorry Jacob...sad news...

[lightsong]

2.2.2, a master number... let's hope at least it will be better than 2021. my years are not 58 but my pond also deep, so deep actually that I don't know where the depths are. yes please Mr. J, have some roses and smile that's the best to do.

[lightsong]

Thanks to Miss Margies' poem I see how my review has nothing to do with your poem. sorry about that.

https://www.writerscafe.org/writing/barleygirl/2795747/

[jacob erin-cilberto]

are you kidding, lightsong...
Your review has everything to do with it...much of it is autobiographical, but set against that event in a way. Thank you....
j.