They Raised Me

They Raised Me

 

two old rockers sit on a porch

empty now

the occupants are rocking upstairs

listening to hymns

that have lost their beat

 

I imagine them sitting in sunset

the years having passed 

with wrinkled pleats

and ironed ideas

pressed in old fashioned crease

 

a generation painted

on canvas

two old rockers sit on a porch

still slightly moving

just from the memories

 

that propel them

as I close the back door 

but leave it slightly ajar.

 

 

erin-cilberto

5/15/25

Reviews

[Kelly Scheppers]

Such a poignant memory brought to light in poetry. It's such a wonder to me, how you construe such magic that stirs within us all.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Kelly...appreciate your kind words.
j.

[Soren]

This is so nostalgic and wistful. It is so nicely done Jacob and was right along the line of thought that my recent poem was. Loved it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Soren.
j.

[Mauricio Montoya]

Oh life has its way for one to remember that was once never took heed but live for the moment, yes oldies lowride we can be friends , but even old and forgotten I was raise right not to lose my mind but have faith that in the end the greatest gift awaits me.
Thank you for sharing.
You're a good brother.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, Mauricio.
j.

[Mauricio Montoya]

Thanks John

[Buddhistboy73]

A deeply evocative and emotional write here..:)

Two old rockers.....parents and their legacies to us....I sense a tenderness here and a wistfulness

These are my favourite lines:

as I close the back door
but leave it slightly ajar.

BB73

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your comments, BB73.
j.

[mae]

my own mother's memories dance between these lines. they really show what its like to finally understand that, just as you are growing up, so are they.
-mae

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thanks for the understanding comment, mae.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Visual, felt and understood. The memories of those who raised us and loved us never die. They are with us even when they are gone. Such a lovely poem dear j and very relatable.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Chris...and you know about my two plants...the ones I got from the administration at John A. when each of my parents passed...they are a constant reminder...
thank you.
j.

[Desert Knave]

Oddly I had this vision of the painting "American Gothic", but with rocking chairs. Good write. ~Jim

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Her painting does remind me of that one a bit also. Thanks, Jim.
j.

[Thomas W Case]

You bring this to vivid and sharp life. Excellent.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Thomas.
j.

[Lorry]

Even if we saw them rocking with our own eyes, we'd not sat it was the wind, but their memories stirring them back to life.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I still picture both of them sitting there.
My mom did the painting and maybe she was foreshadowing.
thank you, Lorry,
j.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Furniture old ones do indeed spark up memories of good old times gone by
I like this one a lot

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I agree...and I will always remember my summers in Vermont as a little kid...my sister and I were chatting about that yesterday and how those were the best days of our lives.
Thank you, Julie.
j.