departures and arrivals

departures and arrivals

days ago,

you were years younger

you engineered the train with deft hands and logic

carrying dependent passengers

to destinations of life,

each with a different stop,

now you have pulled into a station of existence

and let that train leave without you

your mind still,

in the Pullman car,

sleeping

you sitting in your chair

watching the hubbub of dancing individuals

wondering when your feet left you inert

asking questions about the schedule

but not remembering the answers, but for a moment or two

the tracks are worn,

your wheels wrapped in slippers

your mind slipping with each turn of the clock

but there will be a new train to catch

when the silver streak heads towards the heavens

and once again, you will man the controls

and we will all be conductors

for the ride,

punching tickets for those following in your footsteps.

erin-cilberto

5/27/16

Reviews

[W.k.kortas]

I think the train is a wonderful metaphor here; this piece is presented with great skill and sensitivity, with the just the right touch of sentiment. Fine, fine stuff.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, W.k.
j.

[mou]

if feeling is unwrapped then it is really impossible to stay away from that memory..
A sad tune and you make it loud by playing with amazing sense of humor..
just perfect and thanks for sharing..

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, mou.
j.

[V]

Growing older beautifully yet painfully for the observer portrayed. I like the tranquility in this one even though your words introduce a way of movement. This is difficult to express yet you did it so well.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Vanessa.
j.

[Lyn Anderson]

This is a poignant and heartbreaking portrait of the way we often become as we get older, and sicker, and more infirm. It is hard to watch, and, if your mind is still there, even harder to experience.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, so sad...thank you for your kind words, KL.

j.

[gabrielle]

This reminded me of my grandmother. There was a time she could not recognized us anymore due to poor eyesight and senility. Everytime i came home to visit, it was painful to have myself reintoduce to her from time to time.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

gosh, gabrielle, that must have been painful...so sorry you went through that...

j.

[redzone]

one of the saddest things is when they still live but do not remember anymore. My aunt Laura had alzheimer's and died about 10 years ago now. I got to see her toward to end and she looked at me for a while and the said, "I know I am supposed to know you, but who are you and what is your name?" I was told that this was one of her "good" days. The confusion, the pained expression she had on her face and I wondered what was a bad day? I know this sounds cruel, but I was glad when they told me she had passed.

this couldn't have been an easy poem for you to write Jacob...

redzone

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you are so spot on...not an easy one at all...a bit too personal for me...

thank you for your words, Curt.

j.

[...]

This feels like it is about a loved one, a father perhaps, and you are watching him leave slowly down the tracks of his life. I lost my mother last year and my Lover the year before. Death is only sad to the ones left to remember the loss. Certainly there is more to it than this...
Tugged my heart, Jacob

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, down those tracks, so insightful lynn.

thank you,

j.