Courting too many Hearts at once

Courting too many Hearts at once

 

 

put on your best suit

someone is going to lose today

 

pretentious earnings

expensive learnings

 

the world is a cruel prom

the flowers cost too much integrity

the dance is slow and disarming

of all you had to give

 

find a chair,

take a breath,

sit and stare into the wind

 

let the others move along the floor

you've already scraped it with your chin

 

and your shoes are scuffed with regret

because the guilty eyes are at the watering hole

 

and you have deepened the well of insensitivity

that is making the world a song sashaying 

off the cuff

 

and the dress is red with bloodied tears

because no one really touches the notes anymore

 

they just move to the beat of guttural influence

that can't find the proper tie to go with it. 

 

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

6/11/16

Reviews

[Papaya]

Pretentious earnings
Expensive learnings

Love that.

Lessons come at a high price, no matter who you are...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Ana.

j.

[Carolynn]

The first few lines brought the song Lonesome Loser to mind and then I couldn't get that darned song out of my head. Your words speak to so many thoughts and ideas all at the same which is very interesting and I love the way you put it all together - sort of haphazardly so that one thought moves into the next - but in the end I'm still singing to Little River Band :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the Little River Band was such a diverse group...every hit of theirs sounded so different...
thank you for your kind review.

j.

[barleygirl]

When I first came upon this, I was thinking it meant chasing after different PEOPLE . . . but now that I've read it, I'm thinking this is about chasing after meaningless superficial trappings, as if such "sashaying off the cuff" represents feelings of love or living with heart. It's so clever, all the ways you paint the "prom" scenario with sad little realities, such as acknowledging the extreme expense of chasing such hearts and fantasies. I had an experience this morning where a high-falutin' friend commented that my life is sad (based on my broken fence poem yesterday) . . . but living in a world of meaningless trappings can also be sad, in my book, as painted so forlornly in this poem of yours.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i really like your take on this poem, barleygirl...

thank you for your words.
j.

[Lydia Shutter]

I never went to my prom, but this metaphor makes a lot of sense. I think in some ways we all are who we were in high school. Some of us were social butterflies, others nerds. Those labels stick later in life. Still, we try. We want to be what we are not. We want to be with the ones we can't...or shouldn't...have. Someone is going to lose and all too often that someone is yourself. Still, we dance.....and we continue. It is a form of masochism if you ask me. Great write. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

love your insight, Lydi...yes, we can still dance....

j.

[andrew mitchell]

Definitely no wishing well here. I read this twice and each time the image came up of an old nursing home giving a dance night and all the poor souls with just a step or two left waiting for that dance.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

interesting take, andrew....i like it, and can fit...

i appreciate your thoughtful insights...

j.

[h d e rushin]

that last line is so apropos to the dumbing down of American society. I remember wearing a cape to my Prom with a red lining..My date was so furious with how I looked she refused to dance with me. It was the very first and certainly the most important lessons of my life. First, be prepared to frustrate others..
it will be the basis of all poetry writing. Second, when no one understands the songs you like, dance with yourself. and third, red beings out the worse in some people....lol.

Those who say they love you wont dance along to your missteps. wonderful poem my friend......dana

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and a wonderful and interesting review...i have had so much fun reading the varied interpretations of this piece.
thank you, dana.

j.

[Lyn Anderson]

There is an undercurrent of frustration, but yet, we keep putting on the suit, and asking them to dance.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, we do, thank you, KL...
j.

[Alfred Kukitz]

Wow, sashaying off the cuff. The wordsmith strikes again. You can find me at the watering hole without the fanfare of prom.

Regards,
Al

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Al.

j.

[V]

I love the mood you convey. I think the way you have written it down reads a little different in style than others by you but your thoughts are very relatable for me. My mind moved along your lines in a sad dance of words and feelings.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for relating and for your kind words, Vanessa.

j.

[V]

My pleasure. This one is one of my favs among all your other great writings. I saved it.

[Nisreen]

Relationships have become so short
And the way men behave is so shocking
It's like catching a bus
And women indulge in this
By accepting to be in this social circle
Instead of saying
Everything takes time
The element of time is very much disrespected
Everything is so easy .... so fast

You touch upon a reality with your wit
Bravo Jacob

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Curiosity...

j.