Inhabitant

Inspired by two poems I read tonight...one by LynGeist and one by Emunah June

Inhabitant

why am i so tardy

crying tears for you

it should have happened 

with the news of your demise

but instead

i just pondered

our relationship

and whether the closeness

was contrived

because of the bond

perceived

I imagine what you had for me

meant love

surmised love

love as was expected

your heart was like

an almost empty page

a few lines

as many as you were able to write

but the cold, white space

intervened too often

my speculation

is that there was something about 

me that was a like a property

with a flaw 

you thought buyers would reject

so you rented me for all your years

and I played the little house

content with what I was

while you kept trying

to add extra rooms

with which I was uncomfortable

and wanted no part of.

erin-cilberto

8/2/25

Reviews

[DIVYA]

"but the cold, white space
intervened too often"

When love is a little house on rent then those cold, white spaces can't be hepled. The reality of this love is so stark. A relationship based on an assumption and someone just trying to play architect. Who'd want to be structured, remodeled as per another’s fancies? Loved it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I am really enjoying the responses to this piece. And the direction many are taking with this piece...
Thank you, Divya,
j.

[Desert Knave]

This one touches some very personal chords. Yeah, too many people want to "mold" the person they can get into the person they can't get. ~Jim

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Appreciate your apropos words here, Jim.

[Chris Shaw]

Relationships can be so complex but that cold white space which intervened so often here speaks volumes. Two people wanting different things is a recipe for failure. A mismatch for sure.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Chris...yes and growing up with that for so many years...it make us a bit insane.
j.

[Laz K.]

"wonders are many, and none is more wonderful than man..."
the mysteries and complications of the human heart, and of human relationships are infinite, and this poem effectively allows the reader a glimpse into that abyss.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, Laz.
j.

[Ms claws]

Sometimes, J, I feel like the comments retract but many are friends taking your words as fact and trying to offer what they-we can in consolation if that's possible.
Many words help to hopefully know the author is not completely destroyed and there is hope to rebuild even after all those years.
Beautiful sadness if that makes sense.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

And often not taking poetry for what is, just poetry.
I appreciate your words, Eternity.
read moreAnd often not taking poetry for what is, just poetry.
I appreciate your words, Eternity.
j.

[Ms claws]

I'll try to remember that. I'm a hopeless romantic.

[Broken.buddy]

wow, I re-read this thrice and everytime this evokes a different meaning to me
This made me ponder about my old relationships with various types of people. The Line where you talked about white spaces, Imagery! I am gonna steal it someday, It was a beautiful read, Thank you for sharing this

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, various types...thank you for your kind review, Broken.buddy.
j.