Backspace

Backspace

 

 

 

the flair

of cursive

letters actually formed 

by moving quill

in different directions

 

how sweet the feel

of the ink's dance

with the page

 

in opposition

to keys that subsequently

go down when fingers 

compress them mechanically

 

like a poet who only expresses

raw feelings

overcooked with form.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

11/28/22

Reviews

[Erudite]

The undeniable satisfaction
of freshly opened White-out
hitting my notebook
then dragged, earnestly, along

each line
of my effortless poem.

(we don't wanna read your doodles)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Erudite,
j.

[Erudite]

I'm sorry, I was in a horrible, bitter mindset when I wrote this review. It's beautiful. It highlights the beauty of everyday actions, much like what Studio Ghibli does with their films

[W. Barrett Munn]

Quill would be nice but I use printer paper (that I've printed and then tossed out) folded half and held by a clip - that comprised my notebook (lots of pages because lots of bad poems printed and discarded). Then I write with a medium tip ball point pen - the risk is that quite often I can't decipher what I've written as my handwriting is pretty bad.

I agree totally that there is something about being able to grab the pen (which I carry attached to my lump of folded, clipped waste paper) and quickly write down a thought that if I don't immediately capture will float off to someone else who might be paying more attention to it. Finicky b***h, that muse.

Winston

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, she is. And my handwriting is so bad now, I can hardly read my own writing...English teachers and doctors...mmm bad penmanship...those nuns who used to give me awards for my handwriting would now say..."what happened to you!"
Emily used her quill...guess she didn't make so many mistakes.
j.

[JD Major]

Ah, yes, when poets were poets and dipped their quills,
and readers were young and lovely and ripe for thrills.
Thanks, Jacob, for your well-writ bittersweet lines.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your poetic reply, JD,
j.

[DIVYA]

Cooked form and the backspace key go together so much.
I love the flair with which the ink dances on the page when words flow freely not captured in tight verses.
It's one of the most spiritual moments a writer feels.
Yet, the temptation to rhyme always lurks for many like me.

how sweet the feel
of the ink's dance
with the page

....such beautiful imagery.....

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, DIVYA,
j.

[willweb]

I sometimes feel that presentation is part of poem, but it really has nothing to do with it. Tapping keys or writing in crayon. As long as it is what you are feeling showing on the page...who cares?

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and hopefully that feeling oozes into the reader somehow.
thank you, will,
j

[Ciara]

Regardless of the tools we use, when writing becomes a process rather than a passion, when we try too hard at some formula we think is the key to injecting meaning, this generally results in something with no meaningful value and a lack of authenticity.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I feel that way, yes...thank you, Ciara,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

I don’t mind how the words get on the page, whether it is by ink and quill or by the keyboard being depressed. What is more important is how I relate to the words and what they mean to me. Your final stanza is interesting J. I have found it more difficult to express raw feelings in form. Free verse gives far more opportunity.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Chris,
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

My old friend. Today I am drinking the Scottish whiskey, listening to Scottish gals music and I am writing and reading. I appreciate your work.
"how sweet the feel
of the ink's dance
with the page"
I write better when I read good words. Dear Jacob. I appreciate your work and when our word dance properly. It is a beautiful thing. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Coyote,
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Jacob.

[Gee]

I read many a poem on here that has accompanying words to tell the reader it is this or that, these often coming across as a " slap my back, how clever am I" especially when the content is nothing to write home about.
I have always typed my words straight into my tablet and then posted, editing perhaps after a revisit or two. Perhaps I should give the pen and paper a whirl!
Good morning Jacob, hope you are keeping well.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Gee,
j.