On Ophelia's Watch

On Ophelia's Watch

A Poem by jacob erin-cilberto

On Ophelia's Watch


today will be tomorrow's yesterday
fluent hours stream pass
hands move 
the face changes

clocks aren't liars
but reflections on the water
can be whatever we prefer them 
to be
or
not to be.



erin-cilberto
9/28/19

© 2019 jacob erin-cilberto


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Reviews

Another soul ponders their existence, yet still time and the world goes on ...

An intriguing contemplative write Jacob, open and thought provoking! 🥇

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you, Tom,
j.
How I've missed your wonderful poetry Jacob. I shouldn't stay away so long. ..
Now the question here...did Ofelia really drown??? Your words are haunting
Julie

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

it's a good question...i have advanced that question to my students often in the past....most think .. read more
MsJewel

5 Years Ago

My pleasure Jacob.
It's almost a zen koan, I really dig it. I wish I could say more about how it made me feel, but I would probably write a four hundred-word review about my childhood lol. just know it was read and meant something to me.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for understanding and relating to this in some way, drew.
j.
I dont know the ophellia story but i dialed in more on your allegory superb stuff

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

and i am glad you did, Kent...thank you for your insight....
j.
Magic moments are when time seems to stop or stand still caught up in the consciousness of the moment time matters not at all

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your words, Kent.
j.
Indeed, clocks are not liars, but they tell only relative time. In the highest state of consciousness, I am told, the time is always now. As to Ophelia, she should have dumped that net job Hamlet when she had the chance.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

perhaps yes...thank you for your words, John,
j.
I suppose drowning is quite dignified for a dignified woman. Poetic they say.
I always wondered if Hamlet was supposed to save her, but who knows in plots of intrigue.



Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

yes, who knows...thank you, Paul
j.
Nothing can stop time. The hours pass by fluently, and at the same pace. It is what it is and can not be questioned.

Reflections in the water can change. They can become distorted and don't necessarily portray things as they are. Ripples can speed and slow, that can distort a reflection.

I am thinking about Ophelia, she drowned, but was it suicide or was it something more sinister? This short poem is speaking to me about Ophelia's death. I am missing something here. I'm not sure what it is.

Chris



Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

more our recollections likened to her story and the question you brought up...which was it? my stude.. read more
Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you Jacob :)
I like how the last verse conjured Alice in wonderland with the clocks reflection, with a nod to old Shaky and his famous saying "To be or not to be. What was the question?"
We are always stuck in future yesterday's Jacob. It's nice to stop, press pause and live the moment though, no matter how brief.
The fluent hours stream pass also got me thinking, is time just a language we don't understand? Most of us aren't that good at managing what we have.
Really enjoyed this. Lots to ponder.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your kind words, Lorry,
j.
The construct of time and the passing of time can be the cause great joy, nostalgia and many times pain. What would happen if we new nothing of time, what the reflection look like then? This is really good.

Posted 5 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

5 Years Ago

thank you for your words, Crowley,
j.

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23 Reviews
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Added on September 29, 2019
Last Updated on September 29, 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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