Portal

Portal

 

I found a few old love poems

in the attic

of my heart

I thought about renaissance 

dusting off the feelings

and bringing them downstairs

to use as kindling

for reigniting

some old flames

 

but then

(wisely or not)

I just returned the poems

to their hiding place

and went back to mine.

 

 

erin-cilberto

9/26/25

Reviews

[Ms claws]

Jacob, I was reading off-site and saw Portal. This just grabbed my heart.
Being a Romantic, finding love letters would be awesome!
Thank you for "not" throwing them away.
In time, they will please you instead of making you think of "kindling".
IF and WHEN you DO read them ...Create something beautiful as you always do!
Thank you for sharing your feelings.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I have kept so many old letters...a couple from my best friend who died in a fire in 1984...I get emotional when I reread them, but it is a part of her I will always have.
thank you for your soothing words,
j.

[Ms claws]

Jacob, I don't know much.
But I know the more you "vent" as in talking, writing, ECT., The more "healing" takes place.
You can talk to me anytime. I don't blab.
Thanks for being my friend.

[Chris Shaw]

The attic is often haunted by loves of the past. They have a habit of making their presence known once in a while. Best leave them to return to their hiding place where they cause least damage. Old flames can still burn. What a poet you are j. Beautiful work.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think I smell smoke above me, Chris...uh oh.
Thanks for your kind words.
j.

[K. Louis]

This poem gently explores the pull of past love and the choice to leave it undisturbed. It's a calm reminder that not all flames are meant to be relit. Beautifully written.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, K.
j.

[Lorry]

Im about one more cost of living increase away from hiding myself in the attic and never coming out again.
Still, at least I'll get to catch up on forgotten journals, photographs and those "what was I thinking" items that im too embarrassed to throw out in case someone sees me putting in a furry dice footrest that should have come with a free eye test! 😃

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, it is ridiculous...we can't afford to buy the basics we need.
thank you for your response.
j.

[John Sullivan]

I live under a rock these days, sipping pleasant teas and smoking good tobacco. I peek out every now and then just to see where we're at in our Decline of Western Civilization... and think occasionally about old flames and old poems. I'm reminded of Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse 5, the narrator calling up his exes drunk at night with breath like mustard gas and roses...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

This is so interesting what the poem brought forth from you as reply. Thank you, John.
j.

[redzone]

that last line is he killer, Jacob. the problem is that sometimes, there is no hiding, no place to go when those memories (or old poems) come bouncing gleefully back, damn things. You would think put them on the shelf, hide them, and then forget, but NOOOOOO, the damn things keep reappearing. And when you least expect it, too. it's a conspiracy I tell ya!!!

-Curt

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, you are right. They will not rest. They will keep reappearing. Thank you, Curt.
j.

[John the Baptist]

Sometimes old flames, reignited, can blossom into great blazes. Other times, even a flamethrower can't stir them. It depends on how open you are to risk.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Old poems are very much like old flames.
Thank you, John.
j.

[—-]

Wonderful poetry as always, Jacob. Leonard Cohen was conducting in my head reading it, “the heart beneath is teaching to the broken heart above” Perhaps those attic poems are best left to gather dust, my friend.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

You know you are probably right, John.
j.

[—-]

Wouldn’t neccesarily listen to me, J. I am one of love’s greatest losers, after all!

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Hi Jacob I loved this the metaphors perfect !

I just recently spent 7 days about four or more hours a day to save to word programme poems from 2017 to present of course I didn’t save all but at least they are now in a file lol

Your poem reminded me of this I was reading stuff and it brought me back in time to how I felt as I wrote each poem

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for sharing that, Julie...I always love to hear about the process for different poets.
read moreThank you for sharing that, Julie...I always love to hear about the process for different poets.
j.

[Buddhistboy73]

This poem for me expresses the elegant and worthy nature of our writing....

It feels like you're acknowledging the value of your poems.....
It's more than that here though...an emotional write......

Thanks for sharing...

BB73

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, BB73. WE capture emotional moments worth saving, for sure.
j.