Curious Things

Curious Things

A Poem by jacob erin-cilberto

Curious Things


I thought what I wrote was art
pondered famous paintings
and not so famous paintings
thinking that was art

I looked at sculptures and graffiti
assumed it was just more art
saw magicians ply the art 
of sleight-of-hand
I saw complicated cathedrals
structures displaying intricate 
art in their patterns

I thought what I wrote was art
and then knocked on my new neighbor's door
he introduced himself as Art---
I was so discombobulated
so flummoxed
I returned to my house
having forgotten to ask for the cup of sugar
which was the purpose for my visit

So, I sat down at my table
took my coffee with just cream
and read some of my poetry
which I thought was art.


erin-cilberto
9/20/24

© 2024 jacob erin-cilberto


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Reviews

The Art that you met in real life and wrote about in your poem is now both art and Art! I think the larger question of "is this art?" isn't really meant to be answered as a yes or no question, but rather used as a functional expression (like Memento Mori), to use when considering if both your general trajectory and individual actions are making the world better. In real art there are combined aspects of learning, doing one's best, growth in some regard, surprise or unexpectedness of some kind (which implies learning of something new or hearing or seeing something presented in a whole new way to you), and passion (both in the sense of the Christ and the more general meaning of an enthralling interest). If you have the energy and time for it, why not make what you're doing in the moment as close to art as it can possibly be? I think there are three general types of people in the world, each primarily able to either 1. make the art, 2. determine if something's art or not, or 3. determine why it's art; the artists, scientists, and philosophers.

Regarding the poem, very pleasant, easy read with some nice humor at the end. And I appreciated the insight about you earlier having assumed the sculptures and graffiti were art off-handedly whilst not being as gracious to your own work and assuming the same.

Posted 2 Months Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

2 Months Ago

It is funny isn't it? The more we get an answer the less we get an answer as to how exactly to defi.. read more
To ponder whether your writing is art - something I have never done, but I believe art - like beauty - is in the eye of the beholder and you my friend are an artist. Your words left me with a smile today and have left me wondering if you ever got that cup of sugar. :) Julie

Posted 2 Months Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

2 Months Ago

I got turned down for the sugar! :))))
Thank you for your kind words, Julie,
j.
Hi jacob erin-cilberto

My review (CuriousThings):
*A light hearted writing piece. It encouraged me to ask what were you going to discover more which meant art .
*Easy to understand and introducing new words for readers. One would at least take a pause for a while to ponder its usage here.
*For me prose comes easier than writing a poem , so I kind of liked it, Keep writing!
Cheers,
Ansr


Posted 2 Months Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

2 Months Ago

Thank you for your kind review, Anne,
j.
:) ... such food for the soul J. maybe if you were looking for flour things would have been different .. all said and done dear friend .. you are an artist ... with intellect, experience, education and most of all ... passion and honesty .. all said and done .. it's the effort that counts says i!
E.

Posted 2 Months Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

2 Months Ago

those are very kind words, E.
Thank you,
j.
Just hang him on the wall and call him Art. This was worth a smile. Art can be most anything born in the observation or speculation of the appraiser but I think nature makes the most beautiful art...sunsets, sunrises, golden canyons and colorful petrified wood, gemstones, crystals and plants not to mention all the exotic and colorful birds and other animals. We humans make an effort in stone or paint or scribbled lines but we are about as remote from the masteries and mysteries of nature as the cavemen decorating their walls before recorded history. The greatest art to me, I think, is life, itself. I enjoyed the read as always. F.

Posted 2 Months Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

2 Months Ago

I agree....life itself is art....and there is an art to making the most of our time here.
Tha.. read more
Fabian G. Franklin

2 Months Ago

Less stressed and more blessed...that's what I always aim for.
gave me a good chuckle. wasn't sure where this headed but took an interesting turn. oftentimes it is the unexpected that opens our eyes to other truths, views and possibilities. nicely related.

Posted 2 Months Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

2 Months Ago

Thank you for your review, Pete,
j.
Hard to know whether one's own art is art. Really good to have the occasional comments. Good to be able to place stuff on sites such as this. Some nice thoughts here, J. But that neighbour! Gee!

Posted 2 Months Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

2 Months Ago

WE often rely on the comments we get to figure out if what we write is art or just jibberish.
.. read more
Of course it's art! It's a reflection of metaphors and nouns, of superlatives that are articulately defined by the voice you have nurtured, written by your own hand and connotation. I've always believed that if it moves you by any centrifugal force, it is the creation of artistry.

Posted 2 Months Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

2 Months Ago

I do like Art Garfunkel....he is art in voice.
I like your idea that what moves us is art.read more
Words expressed in a simple form flow with art as it leaves the spoken words of ink on the page stained with art in colorful form of simply black ink. All is art taken in many forms ;-} Nice write.

Posted 2 Months Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

2 Months Ago

Thank you for your kind review, willow.
j.
Should I have laughed at the end of your poem, sir? But then, even humour is art, there are ways to express off the cuff, slip on apple peel or ice can fidget lips to twitch or tongue-wed-throat to noise!
Arty crafty humourous sugarless thoughts still go down really well, modernism at its best or impressionism clothed in rich colour. It all has a place when you drink what you drink and read whatever you consider is your art.. which is indeed, art.

Posted 2 Months Ago


0 of 1 people found this review constructive.

jacob erin-cilberto

2 Months Ago

Yes, please do laugh...I would hope to be clothed in metaphor that makes some sense.
Thank yo.. read more

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Added on September 29, 2024
Last Updated on September 29, 2024

Author

jacob erin-cilberto
jacob erin-cilberto

Carbondale, IL



About
Originally from Bronx, NY, I live in Carbondale, Illinois...teach English at a community college and have been writing and publishing poetry since 1970. I am here to read for inspiration from other po.. more..

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