friends and friends of friends

friends and friends of friends

 

 

 

the sky fell on a small house

tears slammed the rooftop

with unquenched dreams

 

he knew them all

lives like unfinished chapters

half-read, half skimmed

many ignored until just before publication

binding securing them within

they cry from the pages

for notoriety

only from loved ones

 

I loved them

I loved them all

every one

like each was the most important word on the page

 

and we all partied just before the copyright

before the ISBN number was pinned on their chests

in reference

 

like some draft number or social security number

a random number

of reference to an existence

just now getting reviews

and critical acclaim

 

but really 

while they lie on their beds

in final pose

 

will they really read all of those posts?

or simply hang a sign on the headboard

saying

"please do not disturb,

just rewrite the ending as you see fit."

 

It was all your lie, anyway.

 

 

erin-cilberto

2/13/24

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

We have history that makes us unique; experience and memories we wouldn't trade for gold. Written out, some may be open to interpretation but now and then our words spark a connection. Connections and communication of thought and feeling across them...isn't that why we write? I enjoyed this.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, Fabian, that is why we write.
j.

[Lorry]

And that is why I am here Jacob.
When they start pinning isn't to you, you really do need to have your big boy, grown up pants on and I for one like nothing better to rock up in my penguin onesie too much.
Plus the whole friends and friends of things around her would probably just about use the digits of one hand, maybe two at a stretch, if I give them my "poor little me" hangdog look!
I tried asking Alexa to promote it, but she reminded me of the restraining order still in place because I kept asking her what she was wearing. ☺
So very well captured, which I'm sure I'm not the only one to say that we are glad that your hiatus was a short one.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Lorry,
j.

[Vol]

Erin,
I really love this site. Probably the best place to put words out there for others to peruse and review. Publishing sometimes feels like "casting pearls before swine." There was a time befor the human brain was coopted by electronics and digitalitis, when people would actually sit and give poetry a serious reading to find its treasures there. Today it is like a professor friend of mine said, "You know, Vol, we are the last literary generation." He was right, Where are today's Hemingways, Steinbecks, Frosts, Eliots or ANY important, universally recognized poets, writers or thinkers... Even artists since (cough, cough) Andy Warhol died? We live in a twenty-first century intellectual desert... so why bother? Except in forums such as this one where poems like yours receive the recognition they deserve.
Vol

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Vol.
j.

[Poetic Beauty]

I like the imagery in this piece. Poems and writing have a life and take on a life of their own. They are ink bled from our inner beings transcripts on pages for others to absorb through books. Eternal thoughts and emotions

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, P.B.
j.

[Poetic Beauty]

You are welcome

[Andrew John]

Aren't so many of us half-read, and half-known? To so many, we are random numbers - even International Standard Book Numbers numbers. Nice read, Jacob, as always.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we are just numbers...ISBN...draft lottery...social security...
Where is the love?
Thank you for your insightful comment, Andrew,
j.

[Thomas W Case]

Powerful work. Very well crafted.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Thomas,
j.

[Poetess]

This poem resonates so deeply. I often ask myself the same questions, but you express it so much more eloquently. You have a true gift of reaching people.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Poetess,
j.

[Sami Khalil]

Many of us die before finishing our chapters, dreams and purposes in life; lack of will, luck and time perhaps with family friends support has a lot to do with it. Some are inflicted with depression, fears, anxieties and hard obstacles that hinder any achievement.
I guess it could be worse like the saying goes or must we count our little blessings?
We could be living in a war zone with senseless killings or poor, dire conditions in the low wrung of countries.
You have achieved great things in my book Jacob, held by many in high regards.
An excellent poem, more so personal I guess.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I really appreciate your words, here, Sami.
Thank you for your visit and your heart.
j.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome sir Jacob.

[Stella Armour]

I sometimes wonder too why i keep on writing when i know full well that it will not be read after my name is gone from view.
That doesn't really matter because whilst i write i am acknowledging that i am enjoying the privilege of seeing , understanding and sharing mind images with those who are of the same personality as myself.
Yes, the books are published, they don't sell , but i didn't publish them for gain ... they are a legacy with other writings that my grandchildren would never know elsewise.
Omg... what a long ramble haha...
when i have gone .... "just think kindly of me " ... that is "me" not the poet.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

And the legacy will live on, Stella...it certainly will.
and we all think quite kindly of you Stella...you are such an important part of what makes this Cafe tick.
j.

[Stella Armour]

Such a kind thing to say Jacob … thank you 🙏

[Soren]

A thought expressed that most all writers have. How much of what is written goes unread and of what is read how much goes not understood. You might say that is the responsibility of the writer to be clear, but I say there is a portion of this guilt that goes with the reader as well. A thought provoking write Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I appreciate your words, here, Soren,
j.