the paradox of fairy tales

the paradox of fairy tales

 

 

 

bedtime stories rush like waterfalls

into adolescence

surprise endings cause consternation

shotgun weddings, heroes' downfalls

 

the tales grow mundane

embellished for enticement

but fictionalized for infatuation

as the truth

 

runs out of energy

like the wattage on the night light

that helped us sleep better

 

and keep those monsters contained

                                                  in the closet...

 

 

 

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

11/21/15

Reviews

[Ed Hart]

those fairy tales get to us when our eyes are new and the juice of origination is 100 proof...and yes, they do lose their wattage, so 007 has to keep circling through and mr schwarzenegger becomes pathetic, and tinkerbell has grown old on red carpet...but, nevertheless, they got us in the beginning, and taught us magic and red carpets, and set us free into the kingdoms of hope, where the good guy always wins in the end...great job jacob

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wonderful insights...and a smile...thank you for your review, Ed...

appreciate your words.

j.

[barleygirl]

Overall, I like the imaginative journey this message goes on. The "bedtime stories" and "surprise endings" and "shotgun weddings" feel a bit like clichés to me. But then the 2nd stanza is strong with originality & excellent word crafting: "embellished for enticement" and "fictionalized for infatuation" (great "sound" as well as meaning). I also like the night light analogy and "monsters contained in the closet" -- very imaginative.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, barleygirl....and i always appreciate your honesty at pointing out what doesn't sit well with you..

thanks again..

j.

[V]

I sense a notion of frustration in your words such as we're all when we get to know that we're forced to grow up and live an adult life. I know so many people longing for their past days when they were younger yet I do not and even if the grown up life eats away at me, I keep the youth in my heart and bits of it in my poetry. Maybe we still find aspects of a fairytale in real life if we look close enough.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we have to look pretty damn close, i am afraid...but i never grew up anyway...

thanks so much my poetic friend.

j.

[V]

You're right about that. Haha, ok, sadly, I was forced to yet my heart stays as young as possible...My pleasure.

[V]

You're right about that. Haha, ok, sadly, I was forced to yet my heart stays as young as possible...My pleasure.

[Christopher Miller]

I think for many the tales do grow mundane. As we age the external world tends to overshadow the internal. But those stories we heard in our childhood are indeed real, for the simply fact that they had an effect. Perhaps our behavior, or goals, are shaped (in part) by them. Perhaps we draw inspiration from them, or fear.
Perhaps... those whose night lights are fading need to find a new bulb, or outlet.
A very thought-provoking analogy, thank you.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind review, Christopher.

j.

[Solar]

A spell-breaking poem, with a reconcilation between fiction and fact !

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Solar.

j.

[terry smith]

some of the clothes in the closet prove the existence of monsters...( polyester for one)!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

good grief...70's ugh.

thanks for the smile...

j.

[ExquisiteEyes]

I love the way you have related completely different things in the poem under one heading...and the title is appropriate

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words,
j.

[Firebird]

There are no happy ever afters unless we satisfy ourselves with what we've got. The big bad wolf is real though. Prince charming is usually a frog after all and fairy dust mixes free with the monsters in my mind.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you are so right..thank you for your words, Firebird.
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

it is after all a faerie's tale eh?! ... the paradox begins with a truth .. of a bedtime story .. and oh how i believed me bed time stories .. made up me own as well .. as i hid beneath the covers ... from goblins and witches ... we do grow ..and may be bored .. but there is one more verse to be sung... one more for the Gipper .. :) .. i let the monsters roll .. over me ribs ..and have to confess .. i am tickled ;) just a very fine poem that you share sir! ... thank you!
E.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind and interesting review, my friend.

j.

[B]

We wake up
out of a beautiful childhood
to witness the real world
and we just wish those fairy tales we read of
had a life of their own
because reality slowly dims out the light

bravo j

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, we do....love your reply...thank you, Nisreen.

j.

[David Scott]

Now now Jacob, don't go messing with our fairy tales. Ha.
They exist and prevail for very good reason. Humanity doesn't like the truth... We thrive on the imagined and idealized. It is true. Not labeling it bad or good but it is true.
Great write!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, we don't like truth do we? the fantasies are better...

thank you, David.

j.