a comfortable silence

a comfortable silence

 

he regards the book

as a surprise friend

in his aged abandon

the reckless approach

to poetry a thing of the past

he tenders each word

for the metaphor it is

sublime syllable

the taste of excitement

as each image

pours down the throat

of his imagination

 

there is still life in his eyes

and a chill in his heart

as he perforates his intellect

reading on

page after incessant page

gathering thoughts

a little more slowly than once was

but an incorporated Zest

a glow of rendered enlightenment

he had indeed surmised

retired many sunrises ago.

 

 

erin-cilberto

11/11/2025

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I love books. I mean the real sort you hold in your hand. I only have about fifty or so but I have limited space. I read paperback novels but then they go to donations. Some hardbacks, like Kiplings, the Complete Just So Stories with original illustrations and side notes by Kipling, I consider too precious to part with. A few were gifts like The Complete Works of Shakespeare. A few are genuine antiques over a century old. But they are comfort where they sit and I take them down now and then and flip a few pages. I'm forever reading and rereading the classics. A favorite go to is O. Henry The Fiction with a vast collection of brilliant short stories and witticisms. So many books, so little time. I felt an implied comparison to life as a book or a virtual study perhaps while reading this. So much to know, so much to learn...I'm still fascinated every day. It works well into the "comfortable silence". Very much enjoyed, my friend. F.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

My paperbacks go there as well...I have too many books all over the place here, I think they are going to ask me to move out.
Thank you for sharing....I just love these kinds of replies.
j.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

That's funny. My brother says if you get too many guitars your wife may have to go. (laughing) But I don't know if his comment was meant to be humorous or cautionary. ;)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Probably a bit of both.

[Betty Hermelee]

Trying to keep going..on and on...but he eventually loses it...a poet of age who reads veraciously.....and keeps trying but age creeps in and fatigue as well... yet he keeps on reading... a hapless adventure perhaps...but lets give him credit where credit is due...."A glow of rendered enlightenment"
Lovely J
Warmly, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Another wonderful interpretation...thank you, Betty..
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

My pleasure always🌷🌷🌷🌷
Warmly
B

[Coyote Poetry]

When we get old. Old books, maybe a chess game? Time to gather our thoughts. I liked the honest thoughts in your words Jacob. We do learn. We must stand up and go forward. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I try to gather my thoughts and these days they fight that. Thank you, Coyote.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Poetry is a lost art, except to poets themselves. We keep it alive no matter how unpopular it is

[jacob erin-cilberto]

What you said is the God's truth...not many like poetry much...rather than seeing it as art, they ask us if we ever wrote anything important, like a novel.
j.

[Thomas W Case]

You bring this to life. You give it breath.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Thomas.
j.