Greta in Print

Greta in Print

staring at a photo

enthralled by 

the untamed beauty

of Garbo

the challenging nature

of her gaze

she is like an actress

staring at a photo of us

and approaching a word

but then remaining silent

in her mysterious state

daring the public

to trespass

knowing she possesses

a stare

that flows with electricity

the kind that would scorch

a heart to ruin

but she is real

not pretending to be a star

she is a poem

that needs no title

no lines

no words

just that penetrating 

gaze

that could fill infinite anthologies

i would like to meet her some day

maybe in heaven

she wouldn't need to impart a word

just a glance

as i turn to salt.

erin-cilberto

1/17/26

Reviews

[Desert Knave]

She's Mona Lisa in the real world. Awesome tribute. ~Jim

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Jim.
j.

[BuzzyB]

You've immortalized her with your words. This is such an unforgettable tribute. A poem as beautiful as Ms. Garbo herself.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you...she was such a mystery....and left movie life pretty early to live quietly.
j.

[BuzzyB]

I loved the poem. Thank you for sharing it.

[John the Baptist]

Yes,Garbo was mysterious. Perhaps she saw, at a certain point, the dangers of fame and the necessity of keeping the private self's privacy intact. Too many celebrities and wannabe celebrities have not learned that lesson and will pay a price.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

If those were her reasons, she was quite smart.

[Lorry]

I couldn't agree more Jacob. Some people just have an aura about them that destined them to a bigger audience and she was indeed one of them.
I remember way back in my early adult life studying media by force of having a job at a TV station and I remember doing some background on her for something or other that I have since long forgotten but I did come across some pieces about her on microfiche (which was we had before everything was at the press of a button with the internet, for any young uns reading this) and it was a front page newspaper story from about 1930 i think and although i cant recall the movies name, the headline will stay with me forever. It was simply "Garbo talks" or Garbo speaks, depending on which newspaper you read... and it was definitely on the front page of whatever you read.
Not many can say that, can they? She made headlines when technology finally caught up and put sound along with pictures!"
And yes, that look like she was staring at a photo of us is perfect! 😀

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, Garbo Speaks was the name of it.
Yes, she was in some of the first talkies.
She and Mary Pickford among others.
Do you know of a poet named Gabriel Fitzmaurice?

[Lorry]

I don't. Tell me more please.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gabriel+fitzmaurice&adgrpid=1335907204563781&hvadid=83494438602584&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=47566&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83494568482431%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=9998_13533739&mcid=33cd1a4d61b5304b8be8081e468ff9eb&msclkid=5602b1e5d74310c9e500d8892058a6fa&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_5lulmoeurl_e
Irish poet. The top book I reviewed there on amazon. One of my old roommates Nancy Fitzmaurice, this poet is her dad's second cousin. He is really good. Because of the connection I ordered his book, and was quite taken by his work.

[Lorry]

Many thanks.

[Soren]

The commanding image of a person that through looks alone can shape a thought. Lovely and so well expressed Jacob. Loved it

[jacob erin-cilberto]

She surely did that...but her sultry demeanor made her such a star in the old films. Thanks, Soren.
j.

[Soren]

Most welcome