Window Seat

 

Window Seat

 

 

 

i'm the disillusioned saint

the bad angel, wings in blasphemous flap

 

torn shoulders, no one can rely upon

as my flight flinches

unbound toward heaven now,

i don't believe in you anymore

 

you were my Bible, verbatim

my saving grace

my entity to unlock that gate up there

in the cumulus sky

 

 

now i rest in limbo's inn

overpaying for my stay

and staying until check-out

my only luggage, the sins of my youth

the mistakes i put in the secret compartment

 

i keep my carry-on close

it is my only memory of you

and the innocence

that once flew me into the joy of reckless abandon

 

a forced landing prevailed

and now so many pages of the good book

are missing,

 

i've detached from first class

and my soul is withering away

in coach.

 

 

erin-cilberto

6/30/17

Reviews

[Paul Bell]

You wonder how anyone manages to get through the big gates. Yet we probably sin more than we do good.
Maybe that's how it works. The bigger the meltdown, the higher the status bestowed.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you are probably spot on about that Paul....
thank you for your read and insights..
read moreyou are probably spot on about that Paul....
thank you for your read and insights..

j.

[Tony Jordan]

Wow - this recalled to me the Twilight Zone ep "Nightmare at 20,000 feet" with Shatner freaking out. Our own perceptions can often be the gremlin that sabotages our journey.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

that was a great episode...remember in the movie? John Lithgow played that part?

thank you for reading and bringing back to memory lane....and Rod Serling....

[Tony Jordan]

I havent seen the movie. I must see if its available on Netflix. I dont know why but I was convinced Lithgow was the prisoner in Jack Nicholson film, The Last Detail - checked just now and he wasn't even in it... I must be getting old J.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

no that was Randy Quaid....the prisoner...i believe.

[Tony Jordan]

Quite correct J. :)
First we had alternative facts now I'm throwin out 'alternative casting' ...lol

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You are Warrior Michael tired from battle and loss. Just brilliant ethereal metaphor use, wordage and imagery- makes me think you went to St. Athanasius School in the Bronx like I did! Those dogmatic roots run deep.."purgatory", "limbo", "sins", "blasphemy"- the whole gang! Lost love, lost wings..."my soul is withering away in coach" ...Master-Class as always.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

ha ha, thanks, Annette...actually went to Holy Spirit Grade School until mid-third grade, then St. Joes in Lockport, Ill.....after that...lots of nuns.

[writ rajat]

A bit hard to understand but easy to feel

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, writ.....just feel what you feel, and understand on your own terms...that is all a poet can hope to accomplish...

[writ rajat]

Nice to read

[Traci]

Great metaphorical insight, and creativity. As always, another great piece, J.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Traci...
j.

[MomzillaNC]

You made a brilliant application of the mundane into symbology. The imagery revealing the tale of a life that didn’t run according to plan, of hopes that were dashed. What’s that thing they say about plans? Something like: the best plan falls apart the minute you put it into action.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Momzilla...
j.

[MomzillaNC]

yvw :)

[Jimmy Yetts]

Coach is certainly the place for your soul to wither away.
The tale of a fallen angel who refuses to fall--excellent, Garth!
High-level art, Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful words, Jimmy
j.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

'my only luggage, the sins of my youth'
Very relatable feels here. I like how you cone up with interesting metaphors every time I read you. Always something worthwhile for me to learn...

Having the window seat does have its advantages too..

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Yumna.
j.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

You're welcome, Jacob :)

[Damien Ridge]

Very beautifully written. I like your style of writing. It takes me away as a story/poem should. So expressive and symbolic. I connected with this poem as I'm sure a lot would, as believing in and cherishing something so closely and strongly, and losing it or them. It touched my heart, thanks for sharing!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Damien.
j.

[andrew mitchell]

loved this j, how the mind wanders at the window seat of a coach reflecting on a life going by, recalling memories that never lived up to their dreams of expectations.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, andrew.
j.