Staring at the Painting

Inspired by Raven's poem "Where the Weeds have Overgrown"---

 Staring at the Painting

 

 

a miserly old house

sits alone in an overgrown lot

boarded up

Windows blown out with storm after storm

of chaotic winds

and careless rocks thrown 

by vandals unaware of the heart

this abode might still have

hidden within its falling walls

airy staircase

attic boards rotting

but still fresh memories

guarding like ghosts in the wood

 

I stand and stare

with a million thoughts

stored up and spilling out

like the rains that rotted the wood

and made those ghosts flinch

 

a miserly old house

held family once

and love

 

now it sits alone

segregated from life

as its own arrives

near its conclusion.

 

erin-cilberto

10/26/25

Reviews

[W. Barrett Munn]

Wonderful extended metaphor and great specifics to tell the tale. This is how poetry should be written.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, Winston.
j.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Yes old houses hold ghosts memories happy sad times tragedies romance pain childbirth etc enjoyed your write ✍️

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Julie.
j.

[Andrew John]

So many things stored in our thoughts as we look at the rotting woodwork. Our lives can be like rotting wood, sometimes. Thanks for an enjoyable one, Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I like your rotting wood idea.
Thank you for your kind and insightful comments, Andrew.
j.

[Thomas W Case]

Brilliant work, my friend.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Thomas.
j.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Here is a poem that speaks of people as much as their habitations, conversation and memory-making. Superb and sad all in the same taking in.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, freds.
j.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Most welcome dear friend 🕊️🙏🏻

[Jansy]

Jacob, this poem is profoundly moving. You've given that old house a soul and a heavy, human dignity.
​It's heartbreaking to witness that shift from a place once held by 'family and love' to one now just silently nearing its end, its memories trapped like 'ghosts in the wood.'

That feeling of being 'segregated from life' while the world moves on is so palpable. it captures a deep, quiet loneliness.

​It takes a brave eye to stare so long at something falling apart and still see the intact 'heart' hidden beneath the rotting boards.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I imagine it is pretty hard to be that house...
even a house has to have contact with humans...and life within it.
j.

[John the Baptist]

Perhaps the old house is a metaphor for many of us, especially those of advanced years. What was attractive in the past is no longer there, replaced by the disrespect of the young. Sadly, isolation will be replaced by termination

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I like this view...thank you, John.
j.

[Ms claws]

Hi Jacob! I got home from my first outing... snapped on Writers Cafe to sit with a cup of cocoa...
And I saw your write first thing!
It is graphic and clearly presented...causing me to want to run inside yet cautioning me as well...
And, of course, you and your beautiful soul...you think of the family that once lived there. and love.
What an aware writer you are. I love your perspective. Great write!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your very kind review, Eternity.
j.

[Tumi]

i'm a fan of your poems sir, mostly on imagery, who wouldn't want to write like that:)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Tumi.
j.

[Desert Knave]

Excellent. I often stare at old, abandoned homes and wonder how many people discovered life within those walls. ~Jim

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Me too, Jim, me too.
thanks,
j.