some always unfinished business

some always unfinished business

 

 

 

to Frank O'Hara with warm regards

regarding that common figment 

in our imaginations,

the motor still running

number six pouring out in the fireworks

 

and i don't even have Lana Turner as my muse

not really sure who lights my fuse

maybe a combination of lovers and friends

and to what ends

my themes may come

 

it's like writing in a soap box

not sure when the pen will coast to a stop

or when another poem will pop

 

i think you would understand

like when

there is that party in your brain

and the guests just don't know

when it's time to leave,

and they all drink too fast

 

they spew words

puke dreams onto sandy beaches

on their oceans of creative calamity

 

and i being the fool i am,

 

even though it is getting so late

join them.

 

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

3/2/19

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Jacob... I am always "Work in Progress"... so I can understand "unfinished Business". We meet Hero's in unexpected places Once upon a Poem is a good beginning...with No End. softly, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Pat,
j.

[redzone]

it's exactly like that Jacob, do we ever just sit down and write from a script already formed in our heads or is it more like that party all scrambled, loud and exciting, and of course we join in we are after all fools, we are poets and our muse, whoever she may be (though I admit Lana turner could light anyone's fuse.. you lucky devil you... lol) is never finished with us even when she wanders off at times.... though for me it would be John Carpenter and Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween), which of course explains a lot about the poems I write... lol...

and Jacob, why would you not join the party??? it's where all the fun is!!! I guess I had better say that I have enjoyed this poem and saw it play in studio 54 down Hollywood way.... yep, it was nominated for 3 Oscars too... see, you have enticed me to imagine!!! now hand me a whiskey neat and let's party... ;0)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you are too kind...thanks for the fun review, Curt.
Lana sure seemed to light Frank's fuse. O"hara appeared quite infatuated and mentioned her many times in his poetry.
j.

[AYVID N]

I could relate to the poem very much, Jacob. The onslaught of thoughts and crazy ideas and words. No respite and one could go on and on. I could happily go along with those ditzy guests. It's the droughts in between that unsettle me more.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and i get just as unsettled...do you ever start to think..."wow, i may have written my last poem; there is nothing left"?
thank you for your insights.
j.

[AYVID N]

It happens rarely when a very satisfactory piece gets written and we wonder were to from here.
read moreIt happens rarely when a very satisfactory piece gets written and we wonder were to from here.

You're most welcome :)

[Crowley]

Wow, what a cool write. First I love Frank Ohara and his Lunch Poem style. This conjures up the why the what if and the when of trying to live a lifestyle where you are fitting writing into your everyday existence, never knowing what will bite and what will fall flat. I am never in a spot to write its seems when the muse takes over, Lana Turner falling or not. I really like this,

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words and relating, Crowley,
j.

[andrew mitchell]

Haha when you want to relax but there’s just too much going on in mind accelerated by alcohol and fueled by poems popping out left, right and centre. Where does one start? Just go with the flow!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, andrew.
j.

[An owl on the moon]

What moving, powerful words that take us into those dark places of the mind. Those voices, yes, they do speak so often over us, especially in these weary times. Your poem awoke such recollections from all I've been hiding from lately.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words and sharing how you relate to this piece, owl...
j.

[kentuck14]

Ah, another elegy for a lost American Poet. Was it some kind of dune buggy that hit him on Fire Island?
I must admit I kept looking for a reference to his famous poem, "The Day Lady Died."

Okay. Let me see . . . That third stanza (to me) seems to be channeling O'Hara. The "Idid this, I did that" of his "Lunch Poems." Maybe the whole Poem! I sense instead of seeking a muse the writer is seeking the ghosts of favorite poets to help straighten out things in the poet's mind. He believes they have the answers to all that crazy goings on in his head.
He feels O'Hara is best to relate to the current situation.

Line 4, 1st stanza . . . is this a personal reference or something I've forgotten about O'Hara?

I would think the "sandy beaches" are an allusion back to Frank's untimely death. All that this particular poet can write is puke, blood and disabled work and life ("oceans of created calamity"). Again the writer thinks the "party" is manic and stupid . . . but what else does life have to offer?

My only hope is that this writer does not give up . . . he is a fine poet!
Tom

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Tom, and very interesting posing.
I write much in the manner of Frank...they spew out in bunches...out with one, move on to the next...and several at a time...like in a zone...not to the level of his...just the similar style of writing...the creative party in the brain...one that doesn't know when to leave as it gets later and later and the poet gets more and more tired till just junk comes out...
yes, a dune buggy hit him...such an untimely, tragic death...and his fascination with Lana...so many references to her in his work...
and i know there are certain movie stars that i have the same fascination for and have made references to those in my words...i feel some strange kinship with him...
and maybe we all channel past poets...i really think we do, or hope we do.
thanks again for your extensive review and insights that you always provide.
j.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and yes, he sure did love Billie Holiday...
you took me back to that poem, had to read it again.
j.

[Neville]

I am with Johnnie Coyote on this one jacob... Lana T was indeed a beaut and yes sir.. thank you for sharing the amazing poetry..
Neville

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Neville,
j.

[Neville]

I owe ya a whole job lot sir...

[Coyote Poetry]

All of us wanted Lana Turner. She was a beauty. Nice flow of thoughts and if we are lucky. The pen outlast the need to be dangerous. Thank you Jacob for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Coyote,
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Jacob.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Lol, that moment when you turn the corner to see the transition from tight to high. At that point you either must go home or pop-a-top.

I don't know how many times I've read something someone has penned and a blending of -
emotion experience and imagination scream out: quick grab your pen, let me tell you how this should go down.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yeah, Cherrie, it's like that!
thank you for your insights, as always, I appreciate your visits..
j.