of Cold Castles Built

of Cold Castles Built

A Poem by jacob erin-cilberto

of Cold Castles Built 

 

 

 

a mother lost a mother

ten years old and trying to understand

the coup sought by an intruder

 

she leaving

she leaning

away from a cold father

who was lost to her 

in the reeling years

 

16 and on her own

a kingdom up for sale

a heart bought at Woolworths Five and Dime

cheaply wrapped

and then unraveled

 

she leaving

she leaning

a mother lost a mother

then a father,

then herself

 

years later, Woolworths went out of business

as did her heart

and will to live

 

she leaving

she leaning

into ashes of the wall she built

the fortress for her spirit to thrive

 

still living on what she bartered 

for that kingdom

the intruder mired in her mind

the moat around her now dry.

 

 

erin-cilberto

6/26/19

© 2019 jacob erin-cilberto


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Reviews

aww so sad and heart tugging, the way it repeats itself could be made for song lyrics. Very nicely composed write

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

and i miss her very much...
thank you, Kimmie.
j.
Short, yet very deep, an amazing job.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you, Fairytale.
j.
This is beautiful. The story plays like a movie in the imagination, without too many words to interrupt the show.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your kind review, Brad,
j.
This would make an epic song j.! The winding together and apart of lives, things we lose and how they affect us throughout time, the hard knocks of living in need, the protective walls we build- superb and fraught with symbolism and deep meaning. Love the purity and impact of the lines, the repetition, the musicality, the references. “A mother lost a mother”- “a heart bought at Woolworth’s Five and Dime”. Truly hits home. One to remember and save.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you, Annette...yes, this poem is very close to my heart...my mom and what she went through...<.. read more
Experiencing to many tragedies can build walls to high for your emotions to feel the warmth of the sun.


Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

very true, Dale...thank you for your insight.
j.
sad but yet emotional in a way, very well written and expressed.
very creative, I enjoyed the flow of it as well.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your kind words, Brandie,
j.
Jade

5 Years Ago

not a problem
brother, this is tragedy, which i love, but i don't even know what to say this time.so good job! of course, your leaving/learning repttition is effective but the messages inbetween are far more forceful. good job, fellow. you are someone a person can learn from.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your kind review, MondaineGarcon,
j.
The early death of a parent leaves scars on a child. I see a mother dying here, and a father unable to cope with nurturing his daughter. She loses them both and herself as a consequence. Sounds like she well and truly went off the rails. Sad poem. Children need the love of parents to ensure they have a balanced outlook.

Chris

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your words, your reply is quite insightful..sometimes i will share the story with you... read more
Not to detract from the demise of Woolworths. But did things fall into your pocket too.
Death, and the consequences of death. The moat that could never really protect the mind.
The unravelling in this poem is so tangible. You know the end, but you still want to know the end.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

ha ha, on the things falling into the pockets...
thank you for your kind review, Paul.
.. read more
Death comes as an intruder to disrupt and in the eyes of a child difficult to put into perspective. A parenthood distant and detached and young heart seeks solice in exploration of the forbidden fruit. But later regret and all the angst sees psychological barriers raised. An interesting piece indeed Jacob.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your kind words and insight, John,
j.

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Added on June 26, 2019
Last Updated on June 26, 2019

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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