still smoldering coals

still smoldering coals

A Poem by jacob erin-cilberto

still smoldering coals

 

 

corpses of lust strewn

tongue-tied evidence

in a morgue of regrets

the "wish i had said that's"

embalmed with the "i just didn't care then's"

if only the sensual risk taking

hadn't imploded into "physics only" metaphor

 

implication of immoral fortitude

is merely strength in tears now

your hands never touched me again

and my heart never got to touch yours

 

but it could have,

 

if only my eyes weren't dimmed to the truth

in the backseat barbecue

of youth.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

10/12/18

© 2018 jacob erin-cilberto


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Reviews

"in the backseat barbecue
of youth." leaves me with a wry smile jacob .. just read would you lay with me" by Coyote man .. it has a similar theme ... maybe something is telling us ... just maybe we can move on now .. from all those wish i coulds and shouldas ...fine read as always ...this visit to the smoldering coal's morgue ;) top o' the mahrnin to ya sir!
E.



Posted 6 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

6 Years Ago

thank you for your very kind words, E.
j.
ah...how fine is that summer BBQ...coals still smoldering....reflection deluded as fine tuned memory. The passions of youth... me thinkst they are wasted on the young. GREAT WORK.

Posted 6 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

6 Years Ago

thank you for your kind words, SM.
j.
Ah, "love by the dashboard lights" as Meatloaf sang. Life was so different then and our emotions, well, they were ruled differently too. Who knows who's hearts we touched and who still thinks of us till this very day? Difficult to know for sure. You've written another one many will identify with, Jacob. Lydi**

Posted 6 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

6 Years Ago

thank you for your kind review, Lydi.
j.
The word “regret” streamed through my head as I finished reading this piece. Yet, the title suggests a lingering, unfulfilled want, a desire that still lives deep inside. Always a pleasure to read your work.

Posted 6 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

6 Years Ago

thank you for your words, R.E.
j.
You write like it truly is my friend, incorporating everything.. powerful and moving words and which many of us will no doubt relate.. I for one most certainly can..... a great write sir.... Neville

Posted 6 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

6 Years Ago

thank you for your words, Neville.
j.
Neville

6 Years Ago

my pleasure jacob
This writing illustrates aspects of time to me. Thank you J. For the read . Its Made me want to share some ideas that I'd like to express here .

Sometimes, time feels as if it's moving beyond us and still for others. And other times it's past us all. Connections are difficult to make coming from a perspective of directing time. Sometimes we feel as if "the time" is ours to claim. The only thing I've been able to do that seems effective at all, is to breath with the air of the world and let a good time roll; If the occasion comes by like a tumbleweed. However, this doesn't stop a human from experiencing something other than the "good time". Life also calls for a balance of moments slipped out of our grasp and into a place far off in space . A space i believe we all come face to face with again. This dimension (I dream) is then embraced . Without leaving a clue as to where "you" and "it" began and ended at all. It is simply understood that you've always been here because it's always been here.

Posted 6 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

6 Years Ago

love your insights, Mark.
this is much like a reminder of the Moody Blues, A Question of Bala.. read more
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.
Hmm. We sure do have regrets when the coals still smolder so many years from the days of youth. We just can never shake that shadow. He will follow us until the end of our days.

As always, some fabulous metaphors used. "Backseat barbecue of youth" is a stand out for me. You still reign supreme as the King of the Metaphor, Jacob. Another fine write.

Terrible news about those Yanks, though. The Red Sox were like a nagging wife this year; just kept going on and on and on....we were never really in it. There is always next year, i suppose.

Posted 6 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

6 Years Ago

thank you for your words on the poem, Doodley...
as for the Yanks...can't live in the post se.. read more
steppenwolf

6 Years Ago

I like how this ends, in a rhyme. Good old Shakespeare knew all about this! And the content; this is.. read more
Oh dear - sometimes the dimming is necessary for the truth to be revealed no matter how hard to accept- time is where it should be 🌹

Posted 6 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

6 Years Ago

so true, Kelly...so true...thank you.
Reflections on what ifs, speak to me of possible regrets. Maybe with the passing of time and maturity we see things in a different light. Great use of metaphor here Jacob.

Chris

Posted 6 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

6 Years Ago

thank you for your kind words, Chris.
j.
This reminds me of mixed signals with a touch of regrets.

Posted 6 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

6 Years Ago

thank you, Jon.
j.

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Shelved in 2 Libraries
Added on October 13, 2018
Last Updated on October 22, 2018

Author

jacob erin-cilberto
jacob erin-cilberto

Carbondale, IL



About
Originally from Bronx, NY, I live in Carbondale, Illinois...teach English at a community college and have been writing and publishing poetry since 1970. I am here to read for inspiration from other po.. more..

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