exchanging gifts

exchanging gifts

 

 

 

i am not dead

just shut my heart down

for a few beats

 

to feel like it is to be you

your heart lies in a grave of gratuitous stone

 

the name etched in Lent like letters

abstinence of love

forty days and forty nights of reclusive sting

poisoned plausibility 

 

i wanted to feel your hands

crawl over my skin with more than tepid touch

 

but the violin was playing early

and you ran away from my urgency

 

left me standing, staring into nothing

you being the middle of it,

as  i emptied my last breaths

 

into the memory of yours.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

3/25/16

Reviews

[Lily Finch]

So beautiful piece as always.....

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Lily.
j.

[mou]

Deep feelings are shared and Words are vibrant to express it strongly.
Thanks for sharing J.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, mou.

j.

[andrew mitchell]

The last two lines are just top notch stuff . You have upped the ante with your last few writes j or maybe I shouldn't spell check mine before reading yours lol.:)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, andrew.

j.

[Zugzwang]

Such a bleak series of images!
It's right up my alley so I really appreciated it. Haha.
Well, you have certainly made some fantastic lemonade from that particular lemon.
You're so productive, it's amazing.
z.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you are very kind with your reviews, Zeitnot...

thank you.

j.

[Zugzwang]

I can't believe how much stuff you put out!
You are an inspiration.

[highonwords]

oh - how i love the first stanza of this poem - how does it feel to be numb and empty - i'd rather not know - besides i all ready know - i prefer the fullness of life, the joy to sadness, but that's rather all ideal, if the situation allows

regards,
steph

[jacob erin-cilberto]

situations tend to dictate...but our reactions to life can dictate even more strongly...thank you for your words, steph.
j.

[highonwords]

you're welcome, my friend :)

steph

[Nisreen]

so beautiful .........................

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This reminded me of a song...as so many things do...but the song is "I Hate You Didn't Try" by Leah Andreone. If you get a chance, give it a listen. You'll see the connection I'm sure. Always a pleasure to read your work.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i shall check it out...thank you for your visit and words, Fabian.

j.

[barleygirl]

I really love this poem, the way it shows the clouds from both sides now. I've been on both sides, so I know your vivid word picture is spot-on. I just love the originality & unexpectedness of it, as I read along, never having a clear assumption of where I thought your message was going. Your word choices & fresh phrasing makes this common situation feel like the first time I've read about it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

okay Judy Collins---(although Joni did write that song)..:))))
i really appreciate your kind review, barleygirl...

j.

[AYVID N]

Speaking of a hopeless romantic situation, one just hits a wall with some people. Wonder if they are really stone cold or just playing dead. Much appreciated, the ire and the satire.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

good question...i wonder too...thank you for your kind words, DIVYA..
j.

[AYVID N]

My pleasure to read your brilliant and inspiring poetry Jacob.

[Dhaye]

I can relate this to some things like love, giving, etc.
Love must be reciprocated. It is heartbreaking to see a one-sided love affair...or something you did without even receiving "thank you" in return.
Though true love or true giving do not expect for same thing in return, we are just humans who feel glad when our love is reciprocated...
Clever piece. Thanks for sharing.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

anything that is one-sided can just deplete us...thank you for your kind words, Dhaye.

j.