In retrospect

In retrospect

 

 

 

his groove was analytical

mathematics found the sum of his love

for family,

 

uncertain poetry

but stout demeanor

relented in latter years

 

a song of heart

a tree planted near a Bronx river

a bed of roses for a headstone

 

quotient of ashes

resounding voice

flutters through the air with distinctive

 

vibrations,

an echo of a wink of the eye

a smile of admiration

 

for what he helped create

alarmed his instincts

severed his equation's balance

 

although he never felt more balance

in his life

than on the verge of his passing

 

birthdays come and go now

without him,

but his memory's portrait

 

unlike Dorian Gray

never ages...

even if he cannot remember

 

the colors of the paint.

 

 

erin-cilberto

7/1/22

Reviews

[supernova_thoughts]

Loosing someone and yet holding them tight. Its a bitter sweet feeling.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, supernova,
j.

[supernova_thoughts]

You're welcome!! :)

[Betty Hermelee]

Someone close to you, perhaps a relative that you revered for the kind of person and what he meant to you personally…..i know you’re from the Bronx, it probably was a close family member. From your words, he seemed to be a very balanced man, maybe not a poet, but kind and humble, who never aged physically but definitely had some memory issues. Was this your father J?
Lovely, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, my father...thank you for your kind words, Betty.
His birthday was July 1 and he would have been 103.

[Betty Hermelee]

I knew it ….he must have been a gentle giant! Like my dad….best B

[W. Barrett Munn]

You make me feel like Garth and Wayne meeting Madonna: “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!”

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Winston....appreciate the smile.
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

Aging is like a bunch of Colorful Gladiolus standing Tall in Spirit… dancing in the Summer Sun… tenderly, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

that is certainly one way to look at it....pretty flowers blooming as we wither.
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

Hi Jacob… I have a bunch of Lavender Glads in my home .. I just punched off some faded petals that had withered. You have many Years to Bloom… but you may have a few Petals to be pinched from time to time in the Summer…. gently, Pat

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Beautiful
Love the Dorian Grey part my favourite

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, kindly, Julie,
j.

[andrew mitchell]

Last two stanzas and the finishing line were just superb, class.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, andrew.
j.

[John the Baptist]

All told, a fond memory of one beloved. To feel the most balance on the verge of one's passing says much by itself. A very nice tribute here.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

He was a special man.
thanks, John,
j.

[Relic]

This is a great tribute to your father, J. As Chris said, I'm sure he would be proud of your writing and how it touches everyone who reads it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Relic...appreciate what you said.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear J, this fine tribute must surely be for your father, who would have celebrated his birthday, yesterday (UK time). He may have been uncertain about poetry's worth when you were a young man, yet acceptance and understanding of you and your choice came much later in his life. Your poem tells the reader he mellowed with age. He would be extremely proud of your achievements if he was alive today. He clearly didn't recognise the potential his son had in earlier years and that was tough on you. I know dear friend you were thinking of him on his birthday even before you penned this poem.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for understanding, Chris.
Yes, you understand.
j.