That ship has sailed

that ship has sailed

 

 

evidence scarcely visible

a trace of love

like driftwood

in the rear-view mirror

of time's awkward healing

she floats restlessly

her mind a dark river of apprehension

 

her heart soaked with grief

submerging silently

before reaching the freedom

of a wide-open sea.

 

 

erin-cilberto

4/12/25

Reviews

[Lara]

Yes.
This piece is acutely executed.
(I wrote of this image and theme almost 12 years ago, and still just as applicable today. I know I'm not the only one).
Very relatable, Jacob.
And, as always, so precisely penned.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, Lara,
j.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

The world is an ocean and our faith is a ship. If we allow our ship to fill with ocean, it will sink, never to rise again. But...if we never put our ship out upon the water then it is completely useless. Because that is what ships are made for.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

your philosophy is flawless...I was reckless putting my ship in the water.
j.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

We do not "believe" in things attained but in things hoped for because we believe that which is hoped for is far better than anything we have yet attained. But where we sail our ship makes all the difference. Like on the old sailing navigation maps that read, "There be monsters here."

[Chris Shaw]

So beautifully expressed and felt j. She still floats, even though scared by the past. I saw the driftwood floating here, not sinking. That opens the possibility for new journeys. Lovely work my friend.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

We can only hope, Chris.
thank you for your words,
j.

[.]

This is a really beautiful poem. Looking back at something that is gone always creates different feelings, we think about the memories and what could have been while watching it go. The sound of the metaphor in this poem really touched my heart.
IMO one of your best

[jacob erin-cilberto]

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

[Coyote Poetry]

When love become distant. So hard to find the stream of hope Jacob. The poem told a story of seeking and yearning for something lost. Thank you my friend for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Coyote.
j.

[Sami Khalil]

Very touching and worthy of unpacking the emotions.
Readers do sail along your poems even in rough seas.
Awesome!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Sami.
j.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome sir Jacob.

[Renata]

A poem about endings and new beginnings.
A love that ends will always bear the scars of what was shared and left behind, making the possibility of a new love, a new beginning a decision fraught with both doubt and indecision.
For every ship that has sailed there may always be another just on the horizon, but whether we board it once it comes into port depends on the fragility of our heart and how much it hurts from past experience.
A relatable experience to all and I like the idea of the dark river of her apprehension, an estuary of sorts, making progress to the open sea where a new journey can be undertaken.
You have captured the emotions surrounding such a circumstance very succinctly in a well expressed flowing extended metaphor.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your very insightful words, Renata.
j.