in the end, he saves my poem with his presence

 

in the end, he saves my poem with his presence

 

 

 

the streets reminisce

of Neon blinking lashes

flirting with the night walkers

 

the concrete is cold and unforgiving

and one or two trees are espied

here and there.

 

the only leaves are those on dining room tables

in apartments

on sky high floors

 

when I think of you and that '50 Plymouth

trapping me within its four heavy doors

and windows almost as high as those

in the skyscrapers reflecting God off of their windows

 

the city resigns to its expectations

it swallows the weak, spits them

out on sidewalks painted in hopscotch white

and the sound of the underground trains

roaring like MGM lions

introducing old Black and White movies

 

I lived that Black and White film

colorization only intrudes

Ted Turner can stay in Atlanta

 

Bronx finds me loathing but also basking

in its memory for me.

the Chrysler Building...Dad working in its confines

 

smiles out at me from a 15th story pane of glass...

 

I don't see him through the glare of silver worlds

but I feel it...and smile back

 

now I look up and smile back

he's in another building

 

and I?

still riding in that Plymouth trying to see out the window.

 

 

erin-cilberto

6/1/22

Reviews

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

sometimes our memories play back like old movies we watch over and ver again

I loved that bit about a train roaring like the MGM lion.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Dale...

[Temperance]

Memories and their connection to people, places and things are amazing and, vice versa. Your imagery put me there on the streets and, what what a great way to pay homage to your Dad. I think parents sometimes are surprised at the things their children do remember. Very nice, j.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Temperance,
j.

[Cherrie Palmer]

The connection a place can bring is so touchable. A pressure point that relieves our pain and connects us to yesterday.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

So true...thank you, Cherrie,
j.

[Holly Mason]

Keep looking in those windows , put those windows and through those windows. The view is always changing . Thank you for sharing fine sir , like the feel of this , as well as the street view

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, Holly,
j.

[lightsong]

NEVER! I would have expected this to be about your precious Dad. The way You masterfully painted scenes, drifting us into a world where there is only You, and that higher realm, even though life around is still flowing, but your father's presence is FAR more stronger and louder. Yes, he saved You and inspired You to write and end your poem. touching and emotional one.

[lightsong]

B.T.W, is today your birthday? your poem here hits me with that, then I remembered that your birthday is around June. Robert's was yesterday, my brother's is tomorrow, might be nice that You would be in the middle 😊

[Andrew John]

The reflection of God off windows is an interesting vision. One doesn't have to believe in God, or a god, to see the street. I like that ref to the 1950 Plymouth, too! Have I been in one?