not too many left

not too many left

 

 

I picked up an old anthology

thumbed through tattered, loosened pages

of what others wrote of my life

way before I was born,

or maybe as I was born

written with a certain rhythm

words most carefully flung on the pages

like sweat and blood

 

eye opening offerings

 

some turn away from the mirror

some painstakingly read the reflection

some die

 

some live to prove a purpose

before succumbing,

before ripping out the remaining pages

a few more breaths

a few more poems

 

binding worn

boundaries strewn

over time

 

the fences are broken or mended

or just ancient

like old grudges

 

or whatever nudges

the pen

to portend

my end

 

before I ever had a beginning.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

2/21/22

Reviews

[Patricia]

Wow! A look back into the archives, the present and what is to come… that’s a lot of words to be sure and one’s to be proud of. We should all be so lucky. I do understand though, all those emotions lived and now immortalized on paper it’s like they still live and breathe so maybe it’s harder to see how much distance there is from then to now…speaking from my own experience with my writes, that’s the feeling I get from this. Relatable and that is says volumes on reading another’s work. I really love this one

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, they still love...I appreciate you, Patricia,
j.

[Patricia]

right back at ya ;)

[William Michael Reeves]

Requiem for a poet. Loved the time travel in the beginning. Then traveled with a vision of an old gnarled pen writing its last. To the end of written time.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Bill,
j.

[JE Falcon]

Wow, I got stuck at,
"some live to prove a purpose
before succumbing,
before ripping out the remaining pages
a few more breaths
a few more poems"
I read these words a few times, then I went back and read all of it, all the way through.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for taking the time to do that, JE,
j.

[Sami Khalil]

An excellent poem as usual sir Jacob. This in my interpretation is talking about God's plan for us before we are born or Fate whether a good one or a bad one. The poet is questioning all of that, its positive impact on his life or the negative ones. And above all, what was his role in all of that...
I guess that anthology is the book of life at judgement day where everything is recorded to be judged about in the scale of God's justice.
I love it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wonderful insight, Sami...I appreciate you.
j.

[Sami Khalil]

Yes siiiirrrr. You are welcome.

[Unspoken poet]

the fences are broken or mended
or just ancient
like old grudges
or whatever nudges
the pen
to portend
my end

Perfect wording, I can really feel this write, so heartfelt and truthful.
Awesome write Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Unspoken,
j.

[Lisasview]

This stirred something in my heart and I felt tearful.. not sure exactly why..
I feel I understood the many metaphors... and your thoughts Jacob..
There are so many great lines.. I looked back again at your poem just now and realise that although I would like to find my favourite..I can not..as they are all so good..
Lisa

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind review, Lisa,
j.

[M. J. Smith]

Vaguely reminds me of Hank Williams Wrote My Life. Was a song I heard on the radio a while ago.
One could almost wonder if they old Masters were gifted with the sight. Could they look into the future?
Nicely written, Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

maybe they could, M.J....maybe so
thank you,
j.