Navigating the Back Waters

Inspired by Fabian's poem "1965"

Navigating the Back Waters

 

 

 

 

makeshift paper and stick boats

floating through creek current

in my 12 year old mind.

 

i am a youth again,

reminiscing of how those crafts 

got through the maze of stones

and moss and fallen branches

 

just to get to some make-believe port of 

authority, 

that gave us the authority

to be the kids we were,

when we were...

 

and now those beds have long since dried up

the boats broken in pieces,

grounded,

but still anchored to our memories

 

i will always be that boy

the captain of my youthful fantasies

 

even as i shift my reading glasses

to write these words.

 

i remember that stream of childhood consciousness

as if Faulkner were beside me

coaxing my pen to set sail.

 

 

erin-cilberto

8/8/15

Reviews

[θεά]

What a beautiful write this is! A tribute to innocence, and the constant endurance of the child within. A write that cleanses and rejuvenates. Kudos.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind review, Mallika...
j.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

"Navigating the Back waters"
Jacob Erin Cilberto,
Use of what and who we really are is seen here:
"makeshift paper and stick boats
floating through creek current
in my 12 year old mind."
Life is made up of whatever is at hand. Do we look
with opportunity as a choice? You used the creek and
its waters. You used words like,
"anchored to our memories."
and
"I will always be that boy
the captain of my youthful fantasies."
The sturdy boats of youth which, as you write;
"reminiscing of how those crafts
got through the maze of stones
and moss and fallen branches."
This poem of yours is very satisfying and even
comforting. It reads and tells of how even in youth
we are simply trying to maneuver our way through
life and navigate through life's waters. I so enjoyed
this one .
Blessings,
Kathy

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind review, Kathy.
j.

[rubie]

i adore nostalgic pieces...

and the Faulkner reference is terrific.

that little paper boat is reflective of the child's journey to adulthood, isn't it? navigating the "maze of stones...and fallen branches".

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, rubie.

j.

[Arjun Singh]

I really feel myself intrigued by ur style nd choice of wrds, nd d topics u choose to write abt...
Short yt detaild nd gd...
Likd d musical ring it has got to it....
A nice write... :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you.

j.

[Cherry Pepperweb]

Excellent Jacob.
Really liked this one a lot.
Made me think back on the forts we used to built out of bed sheets, the traps we'd dig and cover with sticks... My dad walked into one and blew his knee out. That was the end of that. :)
Thanks for the memories.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

those were the days. Thank you, Cherry...

j.

[Alfred Kukitz]

and here I am magically floating along with you in the kingdom of the child. Thank you Jacob!

Regards,
Al

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Al, glad to have you along for the ride.

j.

[Alex]

This is such a beautiful piece of writing. I found it really innocent and gentle, each line becoming more and more gracious. A really lovely and easy read- amazing!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Alex....

j.

[NeiL ArandA]

This piece reminds me of a Boy who doesnt want to grow old - Mark Twain . I thought about why ? Then when life begins at forty I realize why . You captured the thoughts of what its like to be in those periods of years that Ive always want to reminisce and remember . Ah if we could only turn back the clock ...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes,if only we could, Neil...

thank you for your words,
j.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Wonderful. I believe all the truly best men are children at heart; explorers, pirates, cowboys and captains. And whether at the helm of the barkentine or the reins of an appaloosa on the open range, they carry the boy within through old age. Such was my earlier comment about imagination...for I've been all these things sailing with Captain Ahab and Jean Lafitte...riding with Roy Rogers and Hopalong Cassidy...crying silent tears over the death of Old Yeller...facing down the "bad guys" with Shane...and that child still resides deep in my heart and spirit. May the child within us guide us in peace to places where smiles are plentiful and worries are few. God bless you and your pen my friend. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i too cried when Old Yeller died....saw that movie up in Vermont with my family at a drive in theater near ryegate...and watched all episodes of Roy Rogers, Hopalong, Lone Ranger, Cisco Kid....and actually was watching a DVD of those old episodes the other day...the kid will never leave me...

thank you for your words, and for the inspiration for the poem, Fabian.

j.

[Lydia Shutter]

Always be the Captain of your fantasies, Jacob. I want to be a passenger on that boat sailing through the make-believe port! Your pen is that sailboat.....and it takes us all on wonderful voyages. Wonderful reminiscing. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Lydi.

j.