the other side of answers

 

the other side of answers

 

 

time so swiftly empties into 

the bottom of the hour glass

the sandy shores of old age

brush against the grey waves

of follicles

as i dip my toes in mementos of youth

but the few empty shells 

on my beach remind me of those others

who already dispatched themselves from this existence

 

they have wandered to islands of doubt

limbo's waters

searching a heaven that was promised once

but appears an elusive mirage

shrouded in the fog of reconciliation

never achieved

 

time so swiftly empties into

caves of uncertainty

and i become a spelunker 

without a torch to light the way

just a slightly flickering faith.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

7/21/19

Reviews

[kentuck14]

J,
A melancholy, but honest poem. Aging, as we are, does bring about strange thoughts and feelings. Some enter this period with faith in something better beyond . . . some approach with doubt, perhaps regret.
In youth we believed our bodily strength, ambition and creative energy was the promise of paradise. Now, in our older years we seek reconciliation with the foolishness of our youth, with all our regrets, with What is mostly unknown to many people. If heaven is only a dream, then why do so many still seek it?!
Indeed, many are spelunkers, going in the wrong direction . . . for the light is in the sky . . . not underground. Enjoyed this write and the chance to comment. Thanks.
T

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful review, and i like your question...i wonder that myself.
appreciate your visit, Tom.
j.

[gram linski]

My faith in your poetry does not flicker, where the f**k did spelunker come from, lol, a great poetic reminisce on the other side of answers, questions, amazed,

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, gram,
j.

[Carol Cashes]

"time so swiftly empties into
caves of uncertainty
and i become a spelunker
without a torch to light the way
just a slightly flickering faith."

The correlation between "caves of uncertainty" and "slightly flickering faith" defined and wrapped this whole piece up for me.

Nicely penned.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Carol,
j.

[B]

This journey is one taken alone
but in so many ways its in unity with all humanity
self-discovery through self-doubt
The perfect blend of soulful words clashing into a strong sense of reality
Something so familiar here exists in your word
I was very much enlightened by this piece !

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i really agree with your insights, Lingering Soul...and thank you for your visit.
j.

[kitty]

When 'ties' are broken we oft wonder where those shards of memory have landed. They still 'Haunt' the pages of our lives.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, they do, kitty, yes they do...thank you,
j.

[kitty]

Have a beautiful Sunday, my friend!

[Corset]

diving in the dark, that must be so scary and uncertain, but even the smallest faith will light the way.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

so true...thank you, Corset,
j.

[John the Baptist]

This one is definitely existential in tone. The speaker is describing the last miles of the journey, old age. I really liked the imagery of time as an hour glass and the empty shells on the beach as memories of those departed. Also, the look at mortality in the next verse, where the uncertainty of an afterlife is contrasted with the image that was offered by religion in an earlier phase of life. That the speaker remains uncertain but not yet despairing is noted in the last line's reference to "a slightly flickering faith." This is a somber but eloquent view of how many of us continue to hold the line as the dusk looms up. Very well done.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, John,
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Jacob... "Life is not a flickering candle, but
a Torch to be passed on... ". We can be reborn and
discover a life full of adventure and sweet charity...
if only we venture forth. truly, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, if only...thank you, Pat,
always appreciate your words,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

When I read these lines Jacob, I find myself thinking about loss of faith. That is quite difficult to deal with as we age, the uncertainties of what if anything is going to happen when we depart. I also think we reflect on our loved ones that have passed and wonder where they really are. That heaven where I thought once we we would all be reunited is so elusive to many and escapes me altogether at the current time. Brilliant write, so honestly expressed and powerful too.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your keen insights and really kind words, Chris.
j.

[TheJordBaker]

Very powerful Jacob, flows magnificently with a freedom of honesty and imagery

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Jordan.
j.