Faith is Driving without a Seat Belt

Faith is Driving without a Seat Belt 

 

 

 

I am a two-toned "57 Oldsmobile

streaking down a country road of life

half-sad, half-joyous

the middle ground sinking my shoes

in a quagmire of doubt

 

religion is like a gear shift

always in park,

guilt always in super drive

and uncertainty

 

is why i am always in reverse

looking back with too much traction

tires squealing with photos of a past 

 

that leaves tread marks on my soul

one that seems to ride in the passenger seat

backseat driving,

 

but never really helping me find my way

just causing a blur

in my side mirror

 

each time i think i am catching 

a glimpse of you.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

10/17/19

Reviews

[Eilis]

I have this recurring dream where I am in the passenger seat with blinders on and having to drive a runaway car in the dark. The impossibility of it never seems to stop me trying and I go on over and over trying to solve that puzzle.

Your poem reminded me of that. The way so much is out of our control and we have to keep covering old ground in an attempt to work things out. Religion itself has killed faith for so many. It is the father of doubt it often seems. It hasn’t been such for me, but I do not find it difficult to see why it is that way for others. There are more experiences that make religious faith challenging than otherwise.

I really like the way you explored this difficult topic. It’s a language we likely all speak at some point. Excellent metaphor and poetry here, Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I was raised Catholic, the mother of guilt....and it was like that in our family....mostly my mom and sister both playing that card...it's just ingrained.
I appreciate your careful reads and the insights you bring to light...your reviews make me learn more about the meaning of my own words.
thank you for that,
j.

[Eilis]

You’re welcome, Jacob. I enjoy spending time understanding your poems. If it is helpful, that is even better.

[kentuck14]

J,
Wonderful images and metaphors in this piece. I'm trying to remember what a two-toned '57 Olds looked like. Too bad the old religion left us with so much guilt. Going in reverse . . . trying to escape all that guilt!!! Nice metaphor! "backseat driving" . . . super metaphor! I choose to see a glimpse in the side mirror as looking for God. Great work here my friend.
T

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, T.,,,,and the Olds is in my avatar pic...fall in Vermont...and the old 57...

[Dara]

This is a simply jaw dropping write. The metaphors are rich and meaningful making it deep and complex. I found myself relating on so many levels. I especially love the ending where you write “just causing a blur in my side mirror
each time i think i am catching a glimpse of you.“

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Dara,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Love the title. Yes faith is like that, blind faith. Believing without questioning. Yes definitely not needing a seat belt, just in case. Plenty of reference to religion in this poem. Reminds me of a younger me. Scared into being good, because of what might happen if I strayed. Took many, many years for that fear to go. Maybe that's where your tread marks on the soul come from. Guilt and fear. Enjoyed the extended metaphor here Jacob.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and i really like where you took this, Chris...thanks for your insightful review,
j.

[Corset]

It's hard to trade in a car that's been wrecked for one that is nice (r) , it just doesn't drive the same, it doesn't smell or feel the same and the one you have become so accustomed to, like tennis shoes or a fave pair of jeans, it just ain't right, it just ain't the same. Maybe you walked away with a photo of the wreckage, beat up but still driving to tell the tale, its easier to hold on to what we believe is ours, than it is to start up a new car that just doesn't feel right.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

what a wonderfully metaphorical review...thank you, Corset.
j.

[barleygirl]

Not having had the "gift" of a religious upbringing myself, I was noticing how your message can also describe the rampant sin of presuming to judge . . . with or without religiosity. I love how your poem stars a car & especially the backseat driving woes with blurry side mirrors! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and the car is in the avatar...ha ha...thank you for your words, Margie,
j.

[andrew mitchell]

Nicely said Jacob with the usual flair. A girl on roller skates serving food while you are parked could be a mood changer with the radio on, a distraction of the present while giving a pause, a rest from reflection of the past.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for the reflection, andrew,
j.

[emmajoy]

' looking back with too much traction - tires squealing with photos of a past - that leaves tread marks on my soul .. '

As ever a complexity of words! You always write as if baptised with metaphorical water. This writing is no exception, although seems to questions action, thinking, heart and spirit in such a way, not really sure whether its questioning faith or fidelity. Life and trust, being and behaving, certainly does leave its marks.. but without them, perhaps we would have been born of stone? Those final few words are such a conundrum; tis going to be yet another thought-filled night!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind review, em,
j.

[emmajoy]

You're more than welcome but still need to read again and again to find the heart of your poem. I will, in time!

[Dave Brown]

Another interesting poetic offering
The way that gearshift was operating, I am not sure I'd like to be driving too close to that beautiful old Olds
Was it a convert

[jacob erin-cilberto]

love your reply...thank you, Dave,
j.

[Tinabells]

got curious about the title...

and it was a good read..

Thank you Jacob!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Tinabells,
j.