Sealed Estrangement

Sealed Estrangement

 

 

 

spinster's valuables

in Pandora's box

 

tarnished engagement rings

a collection of "could have been's"

but "never will be's"  

 

she opens up her life

nearly chokes on the gold noose

that no longer fits her finger

bloated with heartbreak

 

the cat stares at her from the window sill

eyes see into her darkest reflections

 

purrs with understanding

she smiles,

closes the box

 

wonders if she would belong within

or anywhere for that matter.

 

 

erin-cilberto

11/26/19

Reviews

[barleygirl]

As someone who's worn not a speck of jewelry in decades, I ponder how trinkets carry such meaning when gifted extravagantly, so I enjoy your spoof on how some measure a relationship by how many trinkets & remember the missing one thusly! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Margie...
appreciate your sharing...
j.

[Kay]

Punch to the chest at the end there, very powerful closing lines. There's a sense that what she WAS makes up the remnants of the box's collection, but what she IS seems to be missing its appropriate container (belongs nowhere). I appreciate your choice of adjectives in this piece, every word is impactful. I had a wonderful visual in my mind of the woman's finger bloating from overeating as a result of coping with the heartbreak. It's also interesting how the ring is described as a "gold noose/that no longer fits" - it stirs up the idea that if she were to try and reignite her relationship at this point in time, it would be an unhealthy one; she'd feel suffocated and squeezed into something that wasn't meant for her anymore - not with her current understanding. The Pandora's Box reference works really well with the cat's insightful stare. It's almost as if whenever she opens up that box of memories, it contributes to her "darkest reflections". Zeus filled the box with some pretty miserable things from the ancient story, so your allusion draws a great parallel to that. Well written!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your extensive and very kind review of this piece, Kay,
j.

[Jimmy Yetts]

The feline "familiar" gives this piece a shade of witchery.
Painful, unsettling memories are, of course, the finer focus.
Best for this troubled woman to "think outside the box."
A clever and insightful offering, poet!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Jimmy,
j.

[Ase]

did she merry her cat? im dying

[jacob erin-cilberto]

perhaps metaphorically.....

[Christoph]

Beautiful scene. I got such a different feeling out of it than the other reviewers so far.

When she smiles and closes the box, I felt like she was putting on a brave face to comfort the cat.

Oh, Fluffy, I'm just being silly. You're the only friend I need.

Choking back tears, even. Smiling for her friend, genuinely, but her mind still drifting into a lifetime of what-ifs.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

really like this insightful view, Christoph...thank you for your words,
j.

[AYVID N]

‘Gold Noose’ ~ There’s not a more apt term, dear Jacob. The spinster is wise to close the box with a smile for she knows she’s better off without all those rings of containment. The cat is enough. Perhaps better actually.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

oh wow...is that your kitty?
those are such friendly cats, that breed...
thank you for your visit, DIVYA,
j.

[Manya]

Why cats? I am guessing their enigma, because they are certainly not overt...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

oh no, they are covert for sure...thank you for your visit, Manya,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Oh this is heartbreaking Jacob. A collection of could have beens. Rings that no longer fit in more ways than one. Gold noose is genius. Only the cat understands. Her only companion the cat. Quick shut that box. Lock those sad memories away. Face a day with a companion who won't stray away. That feline needs her.

No sleep for you then!!

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your understanding words, Chris...
j.