a Doctorate of Silence

a Doctorate of Silence

 

 

I was absent

from your thoughts

a truant student

 

wishing for an assignment

that would allow me

a chance to re enroll

 

in your heart

my loneliness needs structure

needs its seat back in your class

 

I promise not to miss any more days

not be tardy

or lackadaisical with my feelings

 

but to endeavor

to secure your love

as if it were 

 

a much sought after degree.

 

jec

6/28/25

Reviews

[A.H.]

this is a refreshing take on second chance with love. relationships are hard and you need those second chances to make amends, in life- after all we all make mistakes, deserve a chance again to make it right. To have all that in a setting of school of love, to come out and seek that degree with honors would be a great assignment. I love this idea of how you portray love and relationships in so many different way, you have a way to express, and you do so from heart. Thanks j. for such lovely writing! enjoyed it much!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for appreciating my scribbles, A.H.
j.

[Kady R.]

I'm all about second chances. And this is such a well written poem and just that. Having a chance again to start all over. Using the past as a becon for learning and changing. Well written. Thanks againnn for sharing.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, Kady.
j.

[Kady R.]

Anytime🤗🤗🤗

[hayzed]

“ I was absent
From your thoughts
a truant student”
Well that’s me. Such a wonderful poem

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, hayzed.
j.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Wow one of your absolute best

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for that kind comment, Julie,
j.

[Ms claws]

That is just beautiful. It reminds me of The StoryMaster. He & I began an online love affair in '94 or so. It is hard to explain such vivid beauty inside a relationship like that.
In time, we both grew lackadaisical. It takes work to maintain a love you know will never requite in reality.
Thanks for posting this and reminding me of my beautiful love story..
You present a wonderful Doctorate of Silence. It makes my heart ache.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for sharing your story and your very kind words, Eternity.

[Neha agrawal]

This is such a beautifully understated expression of longing. The classroom metaphor is so effective—it gives structure to something as abstract as emotional absence. Lines like “my loneliness needs structure / needs its seat back in your class” struck me deeply; they carry both vulnerability and hope. The final stanza feels like a gentle vow, turning love into a goal of devotion and effort. Thank you for sharing something so personal—it lingers in the heart like a soft echo.

[Chris Shaw]

Now that is a most endearing promise. Only a fool would neglect these words. Utterly lovely j.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

And the whole poem is a lie, I barely got my Masters, no way I could ever get a Doctorate in anything.
ha ha.
thanks, Chris.
j.

[.]

Well, this made me cry. So real emotions. I feel heartbroken, don't have much to say. Great poem.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you much, Beren.
j.

[DIVYA]

This is such an endearing request. Enrollment is guaranteed. No more loneliness. Only love.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you so much, Divya...
j.

[Desert Knave]

Okay, this is quite cute. Love the references and the tone. ~Jim

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you Jim...an email conversation inspired this...
j.