Lunch in Early Winter

Lunch in Early Winter

ice menu

         but a warming trend

you think of him through sleeting eyes

but then our longing touches across the table

we sip our cocktails

and wet our lips with appetizers

imagine our tongues reaching for dessert

the hour ends,

you pack up your heart

for another day,

go back to the cold forecast

that lingers in your own backyard,

and i slip back into your distance

back to being a possibility 

an aftertaste

something to remind you

that dinner could bring summer

back to life.

erin-cilberto

12/16/16

Reviews

[.]

Just like having a first date with a potential life partner.

The two share a meal and part ways knowing that if they overcome their own isolation and take another chance their love could blossom into a life long romance.

Excellent use of comparisons with the polar opposite seasons of winter and summer.

Another fine piece of writing, Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful words, Doodley...

j.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

erin-cilberto,
"Lunch in early winter" was a truly picturesque word picture of the wonder of enjoying time with a special person. A meal together is such a treat when two people can just focus on the other's face and just enjoy their company and conversation. You brought this experience to life.......It was like being there..............bless you much.................Kathy

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Kathy...
j.

[D Connolly]

It reminds me of a person who has recently gotten out of a long term relationship, maybe their spouse has died, and they are braving a new possibility with another person, but are cautious. But it's sexy too, like the parts "tongues reaching for dessert" and even "an aftertaste" and "dinner could bring summer". Don't ask me why I'm finding the food parts to be sexy, I just had some hot sauce, maybe that's it LOL

[jacob erin-cilberto]

ha ha, yes, must be the hot sauce, D.

thanks for the smile...

j.

[Miss Sharon]

AWESOME write Jacob. I especially like the final lines which bring such wonderful closure...as per your forte!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Sharon.
j.

[Ted Kniffen]

The possibilities from that first lunch date. Two people looking for something they no longer have but not sure of any action going forward, who knows what dinner would bring. Another masterful piece, j.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Ted.

j.

[Beccy]

A gentle musing on a winter of some discontent, though laced with exquisite references to the bud of love that will perhaps be ripened by summer’s sweet breath.

Apologies jacob if I wax a little poetic in my paraphrasing, but that is always what your poetry does to me. :))

Beccy.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

on the contrary...i appreciate your poetic response, my friend.

thank you

read moreon the contrary...i appreciate your poetic response, my friend.

thank you

j.

[barleygirl]

I love the gentle hints of attraction that float along between the two people described going thru some slightly-friendly motions, possibly heavy with at least one of their minds touching on further possibilities. It seems these are two ships passing in the night, but sometimes that flirtation can last longer than other options . . .

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful words, barleygirl...

j.

[Einstein Noodle]

oh the intrigue of romance .. this little lunch hour lends to me a very unique perspective of ice sleet, snow and hope for spring .. i was sitting at the table in the corner wondering who the couple is, where they will go and watched the sparks of interest joust between them ..thank you jacob ..it was fine service so i left a tip! :)
E.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for the generous tip, my friend.

j.

[Einstein Noodle]

:) .......... my dady always told me "Son! be sure to tip the good waitress at your favorite restaurant .. and the barber that cuts your hair ..tip them .. and tip them well .. then they will remember you and your preferences." or something like that ;)

[Gee]

Wish my dad had said the same, instead I got, " if it ain't bolted down son steal it" He spent lots of time banged up then dropped dead with a heart attack in his early forties. Karma I suppose.....

[jacob erin-cilberto]

my barber got a really good Christmas bonus..:)
she is the only one i will let touch my hair...and amen on the tipping in restaurants...i did 30 years of restaurant management----and waited tables quite often myself...so i probably tend to overtip...we used to have so many regular customers who didn't know the meaning of tipping, percentages etc.....10 dollar ticket or 30 dollar ticket there would be a buck or two left on the table...lots of work for that.

i hear ya, E.
well, i hear your dad.

j.

[Einstein Noodle]

oh wow! so sorry my friend! .. but your life brought you to a wonderful place ..and perhaps not in spite of those things but on some level because of them ..you chose a path of responsible learning and teaching ..day in pay the bills ..and all that ..your dad has lost out on some wonderment both during his life and afterwards ..God bless my friend ..your sharing will stick with me today for sure ... for new hopes and dreams for all ;)))

[Gee]

Thanks E. Guess it made me a better father as I've tried to be all that I would have liked in a dad to my daughter.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Gee,
just seeing the pictures of you and your daughter together it is easy to see, Your are that Father!

[Gee]

Thank you Jacob

[Leslie Philibert]

Fine poem ; an almost photographic setting, I imagine this as a scene in a French film, shades of hidden eroticism, then, a sad departure. Like it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i like your review better than the poem---you are so poetic, my friend...
j.

[Valentine]

you longing reaches across the table...then have to leave to the cold forecast back at home. Hope that the encounter means more of each other. Nice way to express these feelings. Valentine

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Valentine...

j.

[Cody Mitchell]

Interesting. Certainly a partner brings excellency in another's life but it oft lead to destruction and despair if the one gives all of his heart is not careful. A simple date can turn into the bullet that ends the beating heart if one's heart is crushed. The frightful nature of the two not knowing if they will become one brings a bit of suspense. I enjoyed the read. I would also wonder if ye read prose my good man? For I a first chapter of a new novel I'd love to receive critique and opinions on. Feel free to stop by if thee have the time.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Cody, appreciate your words...but yes, i have trouble enough keeping up with reciprocating to all the poetry...and teaching 6 classes my time is limited as to when i can get on here...so i have to stick to reading the poetry...Happy Holidays..

j.