i was, i am

A Poem by jacob erin-cilberto

i was, i am

i was a comic

in my past life

before she appeared

to steal my material

and replace it with tears

i wrote funny jokes

and audiences laughed

at my shortcomings

fables about love

and amusing ventures that failed

in my past life

i was a comic

and then she managed

to change my career

with her casting

i became a tragic actor

every play either a farce

sad drama or a surrealistic bomb

that closed its doors

in a day

now i carry loose pages

of my past life

walk the streets

posing with my tip jar

performing for other losers

in my past life

i read the script of my future life

and found no humor at all

so i decided to lock myself out

of my present life.

erin-cilberto

6/11/25

© 2025 jacob erin-cilberto

My Review

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Reviews

Kady R.

Hiii Erin-cilnerto!!!

What a reflective poem!! I can totally relate and understand. I feel into the career I used to have. It wasn't something I was dreaming to do.

I like the part where you stated "in my past life I read the script of my future life and found no humor at all." There’s so much to say about this stanza. The fact that you chose comic to share the ability to make people happy I thought was very nice. 🤗🤗🤗🥰🥰🥰But how that didn't happen is very realistic.

Thanks for sharing another great one!! 🤗🤗🤗🥰🥰🥰

Posted 5 Months Ago

5 Months Ago

It sucks when we get stuck in something we were not meant to do...I did 30 years of restaurant and n.. read more

5 Months Ago

Thats wonderful you were able to find your passion!! It's true being stuck is just terrible!! 🤗�.. read more

This poem seemed different to me than your other writings for some reason and reminded me of Everett's writing style. The natural flow of the story and the repetitions made me feel like the past was hitting me in the face again and again. Maybe it is just the humor of the past. a tale that is as painful as it is true.

Posted 6 Months Ago

6 Months Ago

Thank you for your kind review, Beren.
j.

This comment has been deleted by the poster.

andrew mitchell

Sort of like the life was sucked out of you only to become a shell of what you once were.
Very Shakespearean in the unfolding of a tragic tale.

Posted 6 Months Ago

6 Months Ago

Thank you for your insightful review, andrew.
j.

John the Baptist

Yes, they can change us from Yoricks to Hamlets without our being aware of it until it's too late.

Posted 6 Months Ago

6 Months Ago

"Alas, poor Yorick. I knew him Horatio. He was a man of infinte jest." Too bad we all are not full .. read more

MsJewel

There is so much emotion and vulnerability in this little gem Jacob. I love the addition of some dark humor. I myself have felt this loss of identity after a bad break up. Great writing as always and a pleasure to read. :) Julie

Posted 7 Months Ago

7 Months Ago

Thank you for your kind review, Julie.

Good to see you again and I hope life is treat.. read more

Chris Shaw

A sad tale indeed. Some loves do have that ability to steal from us our best qualities and to leave behind someone we barely recognize. This poem speaks to me and reminds me of my first marriage and the aftermath. There are many losers in love. Wonderfully penned my friend.

Chris

Posted 7 Months Ago

7 Months Ago

Aren't we glad the bad ones are over with?
thank you, Chris, for your understanding review.read more

DIVYA

This is so sad...relationships do turn us into tragic clowns....We give people the power and they replace our material with tears....I think all of us are just losers and there's no humor in that.
I truly relate to this brilliant poem.

Posted 7 Months Ago

7 Months Ago

Thank you so much for your words, and I might steal "Tragic Clowns" as a title for a poem....:))))

7 Months Ago

You're so welcome, my friend! :)))

Soren

Very clever and most identifiable two characteristics of a good poem Jacob. I loved the flow in this one and the first person. Its message is a bit sad and tragic but then we would not be poets without tragedy in our lives.

Posted 7 Months Ago

7 Months Ago

Doesn't it seem to be so much easier to write pain than smiles?
Thanks, Soren.
j.

7 Months Ago

I believe that most of poetry is born from pain and very little true poetry from joy.

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9 Reviews

Added on June 14, 2025
Last Updated on June 14, 2025

Author

jacob erin-cilberto

Carbondale, IL

About

Originally from Bronx, NY, I live in Carbondale, Illinois...teach English at a community college and have been writing and publishing poetry since 1970. I am here to read for inspiration from other po.. more..