right out of films

right out of films

 

 

he was John Wayne and Errol Flynn

strong, charismatic

the epitome of a hero's hero

 

it was a long movie,

and toward the end

his character developed into Grandpa McCoy

or Will Sonnett, but  much slower on the draw

 

but there was still that feisty Randle P. McMurphy part of him

that rejected the pills

rejected that notion of motion 

deteriorating in his brain, and the lame walk of fame

 

there is a still an epilogue to come

and a Shane kind of ending

 

a young boy shouting

for him to come back,

 

the Duke's bandanna 

clutched bravely in his hand.

 

 

erin-cilberto

5/28/16

Reviews

[Alisa Js]

I knew a lady once, whose hero was John Wayne... actually, her every dream was John Wayne. When I met her she was in her late 70's which was a few years ago. Sadly she developed Alzheimers and is no longer with us today.

I do treasure our memories, though... spending afternoons watching John Wayne movies on the Turner Classic Movie channel, each time he would be featured.

Where are those strong men of character in today's films?

I wonder...

Thanks for sharing...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and in life? where are they?

thank you for your words, sharing your experience, Alisa...

j.

[Alisa Js]

It does make you wonder sometimes, eh? Whatever happened to integrity, honor and moral codes???

[Adam Adams]

not a bad shot. seemed like a montage you captured in a few words. John Wayne has been quite popular in his old era even he was the man of man... every time when it come to direct something that people'd hardly deny. nice shot. a short story you leave in poetic form with poetically blown words.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Adam.

j.

[Ed Hart]

the hero going down the hill, riding off into the west, sometimes even swinging from tree to tree screaming at the top of his lungs, was always part of the act, except perhaps for the singing cowboys who seemed to love their horses...we were brought up on heroes, who were always faster on the draw, more virtuous than the damsel herself, and knew how to cut-'em-off-at-the-pass...i'm sure there were variations of that going back to the caves...also, i would like to add, i understand, and sympathize, with your words from the inside out...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for understanding and sympathizing, Ed....always appreciate your words,

j.

[andrew mitchell]

A nice write j apart from Erroll with his dash, the other guys had that strength from not saying much but having that air of presence all the same. clint was another! of course we all get old and wish we were older and to be that hero we saw as a boy!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i like your insights andrew..we do wish...

thank you,

j.

[barleygirl]

Growing up in the boondocks before satellite dishes were invented, we didn't see much TV & the hour drive (one way) into a town with a theatre that showed only films spoken in Spanish . . . this precluded seeing many films in my young life, either . . . so I don't recognize but about half of your deliciously woven-in references to film stars. But just the Duke is enuf for anybody to get the drift of the man you're describing here in such a fun way. My older sisters were all wild about John Wayne, the hero's hero! This is a nicely visual depiction filled with excellent details.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you...i appreciate your words, barleygirl...

my dad was the inspiration for this.

[James]

You have no idea just how much I relate to this. I'm an old Western fanatic and some of my most cherished memories are of me sitting with my grandpa watching these movies. I still watch them today. The Duke was my grandfather's hero and my grandfather was mine.

[James]

My grandfather is gone now, buried in a national cemetery and like his heroes he never complained, never shirked a duty and never felt sorry for himself.

A nice poem Jacob and a nice tribute.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

sounds much like my dad, James....

glad you could relate...and yes, me too on all those western series...they were great..

j.

[Relic]

It's always sad to see someone you love deteriorate in front of you. A good long life is about all we can ask for these days. I see so many kids (and adults) destroying themselves to a premature end and I look at my own father and I'm thankful that when he goes it will more than likely be from natural causes. He's blind in one eye, can't hear in his right ear and his right hip is bad. Not to mention the fluid in his brain that prohibits him from walking straight.

I'm aware of the characters you've mentioned here. To put someone in there category shows how proud you are, and you should be.

As we know, the mind wears out and like an old car starts to malfunction. The most important parts can never be replaced. That's something we must go through in life. Its hard because life is hard. And lots of times life is unfair. Growing old is unfair, pain is unfair.

You have a gift of words Jacob and no one could have written this the way you have. I wish you nothing but the best.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind review and sharing how you related, Tim...

j.

[Pryde Foltz]

Just remember all that machismo came via a make-up artist and stunt doubles ... As fragile as the celluloid that immortalized it. This damsel prefers the before
Shots ... But love this poem:)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i love your reply...and what you say is so true...under the macho...well, we know....

thank you, Pryde.

j.

[Einstein Noodle]

(sorry for the butt in;) dearest Pryde!! shame on you! we are talking heroes ... and good guys! stars to reach for ... not so today :( sports guys are greedy, drug abusers and womanizers and abusers and never are held accountable ... same with Hollywood "stars" ...so sad ..too bad! ... i do understand your position, Pryde ..its just the days of louis L'Amour were of honesty, integrity, justice and that evil fails ... nothing wrong about that Machismo ;) ... today we have the "PC" water down our souls indoctrination that while saying all else is "judgmental" ...ridicules and rejects arguments that are different .. OK! sorry you guys! ..i have been watching too much TV this morning ... love and peace :)))
E.

[Pryde Foltz]

I suppose I believe in searching out only one hero and you know where he lies. When you worship outside yourself, you will always and eventually be let down ... and with Hollywood ... regardless of the era ... it is 99 percent facade. Psst ... the appeal of the heroes here were definitely gender specific and depended on ladies needing saving. Every time there was a damsel or two in distress. The empowerment these men may have instilled in one side of the human race meant the other half had to disempowered so they could be acted upon. Never a fan of disempowerment.

[Pryde Foltz]

Always a fan of expanding the view:)

[Pryde Foltz]

Plus there was no mention of Clark Cable:)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

interesting back and forth to read...this poem is inspired by my 97 year old dad.

those were some of his favorites.

j.

[Pryde Foltz]

Lovely, Jacob:)

[Einstein Noodle]

:) heroes in a young mind back in those old days where very important ...i think i can say with all honesty it never diminished those beautiful women on my pedestal ... my fanciful mind danced and sang ;) of coure we should and do "grow up" one day ..truth be told i have had much more time to do that than to remain a young boy ... being a man was and remains very clear to me ..responsible ..work hard .. be brave in the face of fears ..protect the innocent .. thirst for justice :) of course my parents re-enfoced all those things but the movies set my heart on fire :))) love and peace ... and thank you jacob and Pryde ..the interaction and communication is a blessing!

[Pryde Foltz]

Wonderful words ... both of you:)

[Lydia Shutter]

This one brought tears to my eyes, Jacob. Our fathers....heroes to us even as we become adults. Difficult to accept they are fading mentally and/or physically. We want the daddies we knew. We want to be children again and feel safe in their presence. Unfortunately, time does not allow that. This one hits home with me....I understand all too well. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

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

j.

[Einstein Noodle]

all my favorite heroes ... men's men ...saved the girl ..beat the bad guy ..i grew up teething on them ..oh the justice served was always a tasty bold Port ;) you triggered my memories ..also remembering Hopalong Casssidy, the Cisco Kid and Poncho, Gene Autry (the best) ... had to look up Randle P :) and thats one i watch over and over ..love Chief Bromden and Medelson ... what a riot!! ... also had to look up Shane as only had vague memories of it ... and i wasn't really such a fan of Alan Ladd tho he did play a good serious guy ... love your closing ...how i do miss the Duke ... nice one sir! thanks for sharing ...i watched so many with my Dad ...Cheyenne, Sugarfoot, Daniel Boone ...and for the dog lovers there was always Rin Tin Tin! :) and a deep social commentary in the mix .. who might you be writing about? Ronald Reagan comes quick to my mind ..but i am a Republican newly evolved into Independent as a result of all the crap on board ... maybe now i will get a call by the polling co.s :)
E.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i really like the interesting take you have on this...as far as subject matter...always interesting to find what poems bring to another's mind.

yes, Cisco and Pancho...i watched every episode when that show was popular...loved their horses....Diablo and Loco...and yes, Will Hutchins as Tom Brewster in Sugarfoot...another favorite...
thanks for the memories you brought up, E.

j.

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you my friend! there are more than a few of our generation about the streets of the mahvelous Cafe!! :) makes me feel pretty good! love and peace brother!