Rocking Chair

Rocking Chair


spinster mind
weaving tapestry of sutured heart
operation calcium,
bones still move,
heart hardens

loneliness is a friend
the only one she will need

when the brittleness causes the final breakage
and the pieces pour through her memory
like tiny granules in an hour glass

she sees time is about up
puts on a long sleeve smile
to cover up the bruised skin of sentiment

nothing left in the urn
she is only ashes of feelings

no more
no less.



erin-cilberto
11/4/16

Reviews

[ReedWrite]

Wow...loved this. So expressive, and poignant, and beautifully descriptive. These lines are perfection:
when the brittleness causes the final breakage
and the pieces pour through her memory
like tiny granules in an hour glass

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, ReedWrite....

j.

[Ted Kniffen]

Once again, j. you've written a beautiful poem about the one time we'll all be alone. As our friend Mr. Cohen said "Dance me to the end of love."

[jacob erin-cilberto]

great quote, Ted...and thank you for your kind words.
j.

[D Connolly]

"loneliness is a friend, the only one she will need". It's both scary and comforting that in the end it's just ourselves. "no more, no less". I wonder, do we put too much emphasis on life? Do we make too big of a deal out of it? In the end, it doesn't really matter, does it? At least she's smiling. I guess that is the way to go.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful words, D.

j.

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

I think this is a beautiful ode to a woman of truth, determination, and despair. She is real...even hardened and aging...she is real and okay with death.... love the lines:

she sees time is about up
puts on a long sleeve smile
to cover up the bruised skin of sentiment

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Queenie.

j.

[Dhaye]

We cannot control aging. I know it is not easy to see your love one dying or even having health problem at old age.

The title itself speaks so much about old age issue.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Dhaye...

j.

[Paul Bell]

The toughest thing in the world is to watch someone wither and die.
I think because you can see it, day by day. I remember staying all day when my own mother was dying, popping out for half an hour to get a bite. Coming back to be told she had died. Thinking to myself. She done that to wind me up. Or maybe save me. Great write, Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, we wonder...to wind me up or save me...thank you for sharing, Paul

j.

[Lyn Anderson]

The hardest thing is realizing we are old and often alone at the end. Only ashes. We wait.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, KL....

j.

[gabrielle]

There was a time that caring for old relatives is noble and considered as one of the highest expressions of love and gratitude. Unfortunately, we easily forget the things that matter.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful words, gabrielle.

j.

[...]

I've seen her, many times, ticking time in a rocking chair. Long sleeve smile cover up. No one visits. She's silent in her lonely, knowing what's up. Used to work in a nursing home many years ago. Very depressing.
Your expressions are touching, whether I like it or not, I'm feeling the deep sadness of it. Amazing!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, lynn---yes, it is not easy to view the shell of a person who once was so full of life and strength...

j.

[aLittlePain]

'she sees time is about up
puts on a long sleeve smile' .... Wow j, fine lines! what a beautifully sad piece. R xo

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Rach

:)

j.