undressing the walls

undressing the walls

it was a small room in my mind

shag carpet, worn deep

poetic fibers, once soft 

full of lush sentiment

now stiff and abrasive

the room feels smaller

confining

the overhead light

exposing too much of me

what I resent others to see

I want to rip up the carpet

write on bare floors

to which nothing is permanent

it can be relaquered 

reinvented over and over

waxed for waning wordplay

it is time to empty the room

or pass it on 

one last look in the drawers

in case 

I left a potential thought

in one of them.

maybe under a damp kerchief

tears impelled me to use

one-too-many times

when the pen lost its 

ability to emote.

erin-cilberto

8/5/22

Reviews

[Tricessimus]

I can't help but wonder what that room in my own mind might look like, pretty sure the carpet has stains and a stink I've gone nose-blind to. Probably spray-painted some dumb s**t on the wall I thought was cool at the time. It is a great poem that can launch the reader into contemplation. This is a terrific concept executed perfectly.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you know what, Trice?
you might find something on that wall that you spray painted that could become a poem...maybe it was cooler than you thought...
thank you for your words here,
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

I loved this poem, Jacob.
"it is time to empty the room
or pass it on
one last look in the drawers
in case
I left a potential thought
in one of them."
I understood the above lines. Hard to escape the memories. Damn mind make us revisit. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, impossible to escape...thank you, John,
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

They do and you are welcome, Jacob.

[John the Baptist]

Sounds like the desire for a mental makeover, maybe a poet's longing to move on from the longstanding sources of his inspiration. Might be a good idea, a chance to seek newer muses. Wouldn't rip up all the carpet, though. Some things that worked in the past will continue to work, and it would be a shame to consign them to the dumpster prematurely.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

You do have a point there, John.
thank you for your insight...
j.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I really like this Jacob
I recall my next door neighbours had the groovy house in the 70 s shag pile and timber beams we had the old faded floral worn and old furniture as we lived with grandfather
Enjoyed the write and understood your poem

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Julie,
j.

[Vertigo Cat1111]

Your poem here is more atmospheric than ever. Your constantly giving us better and better metaphors in poems that only get better themselves. There’s a sense of many emotions here. Sadness, nostalgia, anger. Wanting to rip up the carpet is such a specific feeling- it takes a certain kind of resentment and pain to wanna destroy things. This poem feels like that moment for a poet when nothing seemed to give, or deliver inspiration. I loved this piece and felt it deeply. Thank you for sharing.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind words, Vertigo...
j.

[W. Barrett Munn]

The juxtapositions in this piece are fascinating and I realize as I read that whoever wrote these words needs some serious psychological help or is a poet-but I repeat myself. :-)
W.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, probably both...
thank you, Winston,
j.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This is a wonderful write. It reminded me of an artist friend's table in their home. It had drawings and bits of poetry all over it, written and drawn right on the wood until the entirety was covered. Then it had been sealed with poly giving it an antique yellow hue. It was awesome! She has a Master's of fine arts and lives with my nephew who is also an artist and teaches art at UNC Wilmington. I certainly hope they never strip the table and reinvent it but they are artists and so there's no guarantee that might not have already happened. I went to a house warming thrown for them when they moved in together by a local Arts Council. It was a uniquely Bohemian experience, lots of food, tubs of imported beer, a Colombian guitarist performing in one room, a live painting exhibition in another, people from all over the world. I met a young man from Turkiye, near Istanbul and we had the best conversation. It was a night to remember. Several asked what medium I worked in. (it seems everyone there was an artist) I said, words. I'm just a poet. You won't believe the effect that had on the crowd, they all gravitated towards me and had great interest in my work. It was wonderful. I never felt so accepted and "at home" in a crowd. I generally hate crowds. Thanks for reminding me of a special evening and bringing me a smile. I always enjoy reading your work.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you are not "just a poet" you are an artist with the words you use to paint vivid descriptions.
read moreyou are not "just a poet" you are an artist with the words you use to paint vivid descriptions.
j.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

You are too kind but so appreciated, my friend. I wish we could meet some day and just share a day together, talking about our creative processes and sharing our love of the written word. Life is so short and as Jim Croce once sang, "There never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do, once you find them." Sad thing, that. Please never stop writing. I so enjoy your work.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I have no choice but to write, but thank you for saying that, Fabian...and yes, how delightful it would be to sit and chat some day...
Maybe we could "save time in a bottle"----

[Stella Armour]

Outdated, and holding you back, but sometimes it's hard to cast off and make new beginnings....
Of course the good memories will not be lost , they go with you to your new destination and the old walls will also take up a new perspective..

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Stella,
j.

[Andrew John]

Finding a thought in one of the drawers is a lovely idea built here. A reminder of how so many things one cares to bring to mind may continue to contain one's thoughts. Even those one cares to forget will still be there. Nice thoughts here, J

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I really appreciate your words, Andrew,
j.