not the most popular genre

not the most popular genre

 

 

I had a couple bucks

so I trotted down to Woolworth's

and bought a few poems

and some bubble gum reading glasses

 

sat on a curb

of humidity

perusing my purchase

chewing violently

and humming along

to the onomatopoeia

and secluded near rhyme

 

I was iambically stunned

into silence

pocketed my poems

stealthily quiet

and moved on down the block

unnoticed

 

wondering if I had 

inadvertently

squandered my two greenbacks

 

just then, my bubble burst.

 

 

erin-cilberto

6/26/25

Reviews

[destiny renteria]

Very open and thoughtful to your outlook its interesting

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, destiny.
j.

[Chris]

Being "aware" isn't all its cracked-up to be. I like good wordplay and choice.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Chris...you make me feel there is hope for me as a poet, yet.
j.

[Chris]

Laughing...Jacob, If only I could write half as well as you... take care.

[FlatDaddy]

What a find! It started with a chuckle almost immediately that grew into a full-blown laugh by the end of the first verse. Then "I was iambically stunned into silence" literally stunned me into silence. This was just too damned good. The first read had me grinning all the way, the second had me marveling with your mastery of our language, and the third had me almost squealing with delight again. Thank you for this, it's in my library now. And now I can get up and go write; this is inspiration.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I find so much inspiration on this site and am glad I could divy a bit out myself.
j.

[Mauricio Montoya]

Wow love this write now Woolworths cheap glasses or cheap gum that blinded you to relieze poetry whether good or bad can bust a bubble, lol. Hey I had to go back and read again, great play on words that was enough to burst my day of reading , lol went back to read again.
Thank you for sharing.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, my friend, for your encouraging words...glad I could give you a smile...at least hopeful that I did.
j.

[Mauricio Montoya]

As long as you write there will be many smiles to come.

[W. Barrett Munn]

This is a delight in word play and subtle meanings. Would be a hit at the slam, I know.

Winston

[jacob erin-cilberto]

At least a double off the wall, maybe?
Thanks, Winston...You are a poet I much respect...so your reviews are so welcomed.
j.

[Robert Trakofler]

Holy smokes you still have woolworths? I have an entire book dedicated to onomatopoeia in poetry lol and I have come to the conclusion there are not enough words available:/ it is an old book maybe there are some new ones:/ I’m sorry you got your bubble burst

[jacob erin-cilberto]

And I got bubblicious all over my face.
WE don't have Woolworths anymore...I haven't seen one in decades...If I find a good garage sale that has words for sale cheap, I will let you know Brother Bunny.

[Chris Shaw]

vroom vroom vroom went the little car hiss hiss hiss went the wriggly snake
toot toot toot from the old night train
don’t you love the sounds they make

Thank you for reminding me of onomatopaie and good old Woolworth’s j. This is such an endearing and humorous poem. I miss Woolworths and it certainly served a purpose and the sweet counter was a real sweet treat. Oh for bubble gum and burst bubbles. Their poetry though was only for kids in little books of rhyme with illustrations, not for grown ups. 😂. Such fun here.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think some of my poems are only for little kids...oh, that's right, I am a little kid.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Your poems are for grown ups j. You may be a kid at heart but there is nothing elementary in your poetry lol.

[roarke]

Excellent. I gotta go visit my local Woolworths now….wait a minute….

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Roarke,
thanks so much for your visit...I will be at Ben Franklins looking for a better selection.

[abbypullanlitandpoetry]

This poem is absolutely delightful and genuinely funny - the idea of buying poems at Woolworth's like they're everyday consumer goods is brilliant absurdist humour. Lines like "chewing violently" and "humming along to the onomatopoeia" are wonderfully ridiculous, and "iambically stunned into silence" is pure poetry nerd comedy gold. The whole concept of being able to purchase poetry off the shelf with bubble gum accessories is charmingly surreal.

The ending with "just then, my bubble burst" works on multiple levels as both literal bubble gum and metaphorical disappointment, which is exactly the kind of wordplay that makes this fun. The progression from excitement to confusion to deflation mirrors the experience of buying something that doesn't live up to expectations.

The main thing to work on is tightening up some of the middle section where the pacing slows down a bit. Lines like "stealthily quiet" and "wondering if I had inadvertently" feel a touch verbose for the playful tone you've established. The poem works best when it's punchy and absurd, so trimming some of the more serious moments would help maintain the comedic momentum.

But honestly, this made me genuinely chuckle, which is harder to achieve in poetry than people think. The voice is confident and the absurdist premise is executed really well. It's the kind of poem that makes poetry feel accessible and fun rather than intimidating, which is no small feat.
Well done.
AP x

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review and suggestions, which I will take into consideration, abby.
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

oh yes ... it's inevitable ... the bursting bubble old friend ... bubbles gum only stretches so far .. it's been a long time since i read or heard the word "onomatopoeia" ... thanks for the refreshing .. anything "Woolworth" throws me way back, jacob ... thanks so much for memories and feeling sparked ... sprinkled with a little humor the reflections on poetry is bittersweet eh!?
E.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I am just a five and dime poet, E.
I don't cost a whole lot.
thanks for the visit, my friend.

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahahah .. five and dimer eh!?? :))))