the proximity of professions

the proximity of professions

 

 

lawns freshly cut

the scent adorns a suburban morning

hedge rows neatly fringe alike houses

 

shutters all painted green

so serene, 

so the same

 

give me the complexity of a chaotic yard

rusty swing set

bald tires by the wading pool

 

fifty shades of lime lawn

sour shutters of different colors

stalled car in the driveway, smoking

 

sandal shone neighbor screaming at his kids

as to who let the dog do his business

on the dilapidated porch

 

frayed patio chair sinking with his weight---

as two blocks away, 

a suit starts his Mercedes

 

and takes a puff on his electronic cigarette 

tucks his speed under his seat

and flies to work...

 

 

erin-cilberto

4/17/16

Reviews

[h d e rushin]

I visited a friend in North Carolina this past weekend....Beautiful 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom house outside of Charlotte for just him and his wife. Then after we ate and he walked the poodle, there was nothing to do. So we went to the mall and that night watched the Pistons game just like I would have done back in Detroit. All that glitters, ain't gold.......love this brother....dana

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, all that glitters definitely ain't gold, my friend.

thank you for sharing that..and just for being the poet you are.

j.

[JayceeC]

To be free to run and do is something that the conformist of suburbia rarely experience. It may be hard living but it alive with every gritty detail. All people should be so lucky, but many are too busy keeping the facade to sit and just watch the neighborhood kids.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i love the gritty...thank you for your insightful words, Jan,

j.

[Ruth]

Suburban uniform...I also prefer the wild and un-uniformed...something to express the self...not a mass of what "should" be...so to speak...vibrant and descriptive as always Jacob :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, hate that "should" thing myself...thanks for your words, Poppy.

j.

[Coyote Poetry]

You took me with to many places. I did like the ending. Life teaches us many lessons. We need to know peace and calm. Thank you for sharing your amazing poetry my friend.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your really kind words, Coyote...
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

Was my pleasure and you are welcome.

[Rebecca Leigh]

I love the imagery of this piece, it reminds me of Bukowski's writing. you really capture me into the situation, allowing me to become the observer of this ordinary neighborhood.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Rebecca.

j.

[jesserose99]

I missed your poetry, this is a lovely observation of human natures different ways in keeping their 'sacred spaces'. I love the character of your poetry, truly do.
you have such an ability to see in between the lines.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind review, jesserose..

j.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Jacob, we live in a "lived in" neighborhood.
Neighbors walk their dogs and Cats have litters.
Bkueberry bushes draw fat bumble bees and birds
sing endlessly. Sweet poetry, truly, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i like that kind of neighborhood where you live, Pat....thank you for sharing that...

appreciate your visit to mine...

j.

[Matching Socks]

Fifty shades of lime lawn. :). I like that.
This reminds me of Toronto, where the city blocks are not so big.
It's not a long walk Regent Park to Cabbagetown but there's a big enough difference.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you Ana...i appreciate when readers share how they relate...similar places, similar feelings...

j.

[Matching Socks]

Welcome. :)

[Carolynn]

You draw an amazingly sharp image of these two types of contrasting neighbourhoods - like inner city vs. uncaring suburbia where you can let your hair down and not care what the neighbors think. I live in inner city now and ache to get out and into the peace of the country....ill take a dilapitaded stalled junk of a car littering my driveway over no driveway any day!! Very relatable :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for sharing your words and how you relate Carolynn...i have had both...well, all three, suburbia, inner city and now...out in the sticks...

i'll take the sticks...

j.

[Lydia Shutter]

I kept hearing the song, "Pleasant Valley Sunday" as I read your words. Cookie cutter homes with similar cars all in white, black, or silver seem to be "the" thing these days. Those fancy neighborhoods might think they are living in paradise, but I believe the man in sandals screaming at his children might actually be the lucky one in paradise. He who dies with the most toys wins? I am not so sure of that at all. He who wins the rat race is still a rat. Loved this one. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i love your reply...it's better than the poem...so insightful...thank you, lydi.

j.

[Lydia Shutter]

Sort of got on my soapbox here....sorry.