Window Seat

Window Seat

 

 

 

in the pristine chapel

I bowed my head

the rosary heavy in my folded feelings

grief shatters the cathedral glass tears

 

as they fall on an unopened prayer book

belief is a sinister spy

a covert conception 

gets off at the stations of the cross

 

the train failing its destination

death is the conqueror

so many friends getting off early

when they paid for a full trip

 

vacant seats next to me in the pew

faces imagined

harmony in hymnals quieted

as the number of stops increases

 

the tracks are still warm

I am cold

my ticket torn and worn

as I cling to my seat.

 

and the whistle blows silent.

 

 

erin-cilberto

12/29/21

Reviews

[Gee]

Never have never will do religion as I'm not in need of a crutch to me through life.
Like everybody that will read this I too have had folk disembark the train, some far to early, this making the journey a wee bit more sad and lonely with each seat that is vacated.
Good morning Jacob, hopefully all is well with you, the quill and parchment :))

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, for many a crutch...feeling that no matter what they are in life...professing some belief washes away all the bad stuff, but maybe not.
thank you, Gee.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

What a haunting piece of poetry J. It left me stunned in thought as good work should. I was thrown back in time when I was an alter boy at a catholic church questioning my faith and purpose at the tender age of 11. That holy place felt like somewhere the old and infirm would go to find one last absolving word before they shuffled off their mortal coil. I could still smell the varnished cedar wood pews and pamphlets of dry paper blessings strewn on them. It was always cold like a morgue in that place even on the hottest summer days. It never felt to me like God was there.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I was an altar boy back when we were still with the Latin mass...more mysterious, says I.
thank you for sharing, Carlos,
j.

[NFA]

So many times do we find ourselves struggling with faith as we see life occur around us. It's hard to believe that anything could really save us, seeing as life is so unforgiving. There's an evil in life, and I say that as someone who's faithful. But, if everything was perfect, the good would be less special. Although scarce, it does exist. I think you embodied the pain and the second-guessing perfectly in this poem. Loved this!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your very kind review, Victor,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

So many thoughts with this write J. Both with religion, death and the friends I have lost on the way for a multitude of reasons. With me the deaths have been as a result of cancer. So many beautiful women I have known, laughed and cried with, no longer here, other than in spirit. Each one has left a part of themselves with me. Their dignity and bravery I will never forget. Then there are the others. Friends of my daughters, so many succumbed to the ravages of alcohol or drugs. They were sick too, but they could have done something about it. Cancer isn't so obliging. These days you are more likely to find me in a church to admire the architecture or for the silence. I am done with praying. Sort of lost my way. I got off the train early with that one.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I appreciate your response here, Chris...and I get it, yes...Logical conclusion...and the last station may not be at the place we expected to be.
j.