always

 

always

 

the trees extend

love is a whisper of leaves in a breeze

and then the roots

die in drought

wildfires pummel the army 

of wooden soldiers

 

there is no growth in autumn

just colors preceding the balance

between life and death

summer and winter

 

goodbye is a hard word

even if it is just a soft rustling sound.

 

 

erin-cilberto

8/22/23

Reviews

[ProphetsMother]

Ahhh the seasons of life. I like what the prophet Kanye West said about everything is life happening for a reason, and that people are seasons.. some come and go without a literal death. I suppose it's true death can be a metaphor for an ultimate change in someone or in life.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and some are dead long before they are dead.
thank you, PM.
j.

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Jacob,

There is nothing that I can say which would correctly express the poignancy of this touching Poem ...

Marve

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Marve,
j.

[redzone]

not sure 'goodbye' is ever 'soft' at least and especially when the balance is tipped toward death and the colors fade into nothingness... your poem plucks at the heartstrings as it reminds us of our mortality and the loss of loved ones...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you so much, curt...
j.

[Stella Armour]

Your final couplet is enough to to touch any heart Jacob ...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Stella,
j.

[Andrew John]

Like this one, J. Thanks.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Andrew,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

So many thoughts captured by this beautiful poem. You took me to many places and many scenarios. Goodbyes are never easy. A favourite piece dear J.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Chris,
j.

[Amanda Renee]

This is beautiful! All of it, but I especially love the last stanza, If you have not read "The Overstory" by Richard Powers please check it out, your poem reminds me of this book and in my opinion would have fit in perfectly in the prologue...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, Amanda,
j.

[Farjana Shah Chaity]

Your poem beautifully captures the fleeting nature of life and the cyclical patterns of growth and decline in the natural world, the beauty that exists in both growth and letting go. Beautifully written.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your words, Chaity,
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Jacob... a lovely condolence to our State of Hawaii where so many trees and people were lost. Farewell to all they held close to their Heart. They will live forever in our inner thoughts. Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind thoughts, Pat,
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

Autumn is a a season the many of us look forward to… but when drought endures we fires occurs, we have to bid farewell to the season most colorful….we still can enjoy the love in the whisper of the leaves until the roots die…. We want to keep hanging on to what was beautiful……
Warmly, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, we really do want to hang on.
thank you, Betty,
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome
Warmly, zB