the Dance

the Dance

love is more than

a box of chocolates

in a heart shape

or a dozen roses

that entertain

and then die on the stage

love is more than

promises

and dreams

love is what survives

remains

and then one day reminds us

of what was

and what is

just with a different 

flavor and bloom

but still

in a heart shape.

erin-cilberto

2/16/26

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

love is from our inner self, our undivided attraction and willingness to share ourselves forever...though I still like chocolate and perhaps a rose now and then...or any sweet gift that i will cherish....
but no valentine please....
Warmly, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

ha ha, thank you, Betty.
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

A pleasure J🌹

[Chris Shaw]

The chocolates and the roses don’t last. Love does. The dance tells me everything. Makes me smile j. Beautiful poem.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Chris.
j.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Love is hard work, responsibilty, accountability and sacrifice. But the greatest measure is sacrifice. Love is giving and its reward is in itself. Love is never a trade or an expectation, it isn't loud or flamboyant. It doesn't need to be. The sacrifice speaks volumes and the greater the love, the greater the sacrifice.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I remember my first ex telling me she thought love is something we shouldn't need to work on, it should just flow....Ah, But at times, work is definitely needed.
Thank you, Fabian.
j.

[Light and ashes]

"and then die on the stage,"
Reminds me of the quote, that is by Shakespeare.
"Life is just a stage, and we are all just players," or something to that, effect.
I think, that's true,
to a degree.
Anyway, love that line, and I of course,
love your work.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Light.
j.

[Soren]

Jacob if it were possible to put romantic, practical, poetic and real all into one this would be it. Love much more than words, words much more than wishes, and wishes the basis of actions. Very nicely done my friend

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Such a clever response to this, Soren. Thank you.
j.

[Soren]

You are most welcome

[Pete]

a dance with steps we all need to learn. well said, just don't tell russell stover that.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

No no no, Pete...I won't tell him.
thanks,
j.

[John the Baptist]

Like the man said, Love never faileth.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thanks, John.
j.

[Lydia Shutter]

Oh yes, love morphs through the years. Perhaps the passion has waned, but the true emotion is always there. Chocolates and hearts are nice, but long lasting enduring love does not need such things. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

right, it does not. Thank you, Lydi.
j.

[Thomas W Case]

There’s a steady wisdom in this—no glitter, just the long haul truth of it.
You strip love down to what endures, and that quiet bloom hits harder than roses ever could.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for those words, Thomas.
j.

[Desert Knave]

Yeah. chocolates and roses are nice, but they hardly touch the depth that love reaches. ~Jim

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your wisdomesque words, Jim.
j.