Strike a Pose

Strike a Pose

an ominous wind

inside a throbbing chest

nerves of steel

melt into liquid fear

love can be a stoked flame

scorching a heart to ashen disappointment

even in the calm

I loved you like a match

to a matchbook

and flickers still remain

but the words on the matchbook cover

have faded to blur

I am trying to remember you

now and ever.

erin-cilberto

7/24/25

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

A past love, igniting the memories. Remembering the heat of what once burned bright, which now flickers like a small flame in the dark. You never forget but maybe don’t stoke the flames of the past, they can still hurt. Left me feeling sad and reminding me of my first love. He died at 26. So touching to read and to feel j.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

That is so young...I am so sorry, Chris. An awful, sudden loss?
thanks for your words,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Muscular dystrophy. He was my first real boyfriend. I dumped him for someone of far less worth. He married another Christine and then became ill. I hope she looked after him better than I did.

[Sami Khalil]

This poem had sadness and ashen hopes.
The poet is reminding us about certain love and reminiscing about his past Dove.
Wowzy wood!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Sami.
j.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome sir Jacob.

[andrew mitchell]

The title reminds me of a Madonna song lol . Yes unfortunately we can never live in the moment. Time moves us along.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I knew it would for some...you are speaking of "Vogue"---thanks for your comment, my friend.

[andrew mitchell]

You are welcome

[JMichael]

This may be about a long lost love but it’s that trying to remember fear that has got me in its grip even though my own loss is of a different kind and still very recent.

When there is nothing much left to hold onto, that remembrance becomes extremely vital. I like the extended metaphor and the use of matches and matchbooks.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, JMichael.
j.

[John the Baptist]

Has the sound of an "old flame." There was a time when that match would strike almost reflexively. That time has passed. Now it takes effort to remember it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, John.
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

love is like a flame…it burns and turns to ashes… and the matchbook is long blurred…. “ love can be a stoked flame”…. and when it dies the embers remain, endure….memories fade with time….
Bravo J.
Warmly, B🌷😊

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your words, Betty.
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

Most welcome J.
Warmly, B

[Raven]

This reminds me of the song I burn for you from Sting.
Relationships can, so often and commonly, go down in flames.
Getting burned is no fun. If time allows us to forget, all the better and a blessing.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I appreciate your review, Branches.
j.

[emmajoygreen]

You always find the poet's magic to describe love, loving, being loved, dear friend. And at same time show as near 'how' it can be academically created! After many years of reading your poetry, you still amaze me.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

That means a lot, what you said. Thank you, em.
j.

[Soren]

Jacob we seem to be somewhat on the same track and this is a lovely expression most poetic of that state. Very nice with great allegory it touches deep. Very nicely done my friend

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thanks for your kind words, Soren.
j.

[Soren]

You're welcome Jacob

[h d e rushin]

It's hard to find matchbooks anymore. Although, Walmart carries stick matches in limited quantities on it's website. Interesting theme for the blur of memory to the discontinued past. "I loved you like a match to a matchbook", like something so dear and hot and close and portable and available, and convenient and volatile, and explosive, and always ready. Great, great analogy. dana

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Your review is better than the poem.
Thank you, dana.
j.