That

That

 

 

sat on a stool

in City Lights bookstore

in Haight.

asking of those who knew him

what Lawrence Ferlinghetti was like

as a young man, and then in old age

 

always with a book in his hand, reading aloud?

Or did he do a lot of silent introspection,

recollection and then intellection

transferred in verse

to another page of his life.

 

I marveled at the shelves

the quaintness of the interior

those other great Beats who had 

frequented the store and sold there

their wares

 

I would have liked to say hello to L.F.

Just "hello"----

not to bother him with signing a book

or engage him in conversation

unless he advanced a word or two in my direction

 

then I would have sat for hours

lobbying for one more poem,

one more word

one more nod

hoping his encore would be "I am waiting"

 

because I would be,

and might go there someday

visit the store

maybe hear his ghost read a word or two

stare at the shelves of poetry books

by so many who used verse

to turn our heads to what had to change

thumb through a chapbook

by a rebel poet who refused rhyme

who spent time

in free verse apartments

with a small black light

for illumination

 

and a few varied thoughts

that might have made Whitman

smile

as he thought to himself

"I started that"---

before there was "that."

Reviews

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Your admiration for this man is quite evident and laudable. To find inspiration in another and to inspire others is a wonder. You certainly inspire me.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Linda,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

I know how much you admire this beat poet because you have written of him before. I'm not surprised that you would want to have had the chance to meet him. Just a humble hello J, because you wouldn't want to take up his time? Too late now, but I bet he would loved to have had a conversation with you. I think you need to have a conversation with him now. You talk to Sylvia, talk to Lawrence.It's not too late.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, I might just do that if he has a few spare minutes.
thank you, Chris,
j.

[.]

I googled Ferlinghetti, Jacob, and read a few of his poems. Particularly liked the "I am waiting" piece and it's quiet, protesting resignation throughout. I feel he would still be waiting for most of what he wrote about, particularly an Age of Anxiety to end when it is actually still motoring along and almost out of control nowadays. I did enjoy his little snippet about Roland of Gilead and his quest to the Dark Tower. Maybe that hope was fulfilled (Still haven't read the books yet, despite having every copy for years).

I know you highly value the Beat poets of that period, so it would make sense that to meet one would be at the top of a bucket list, however too late it may be. I wonder if he would have met your expectations? Most people we place on personal pedestals often fall short in reality if we finally meet them.

Some fine metaphors and lines in this one, Jacob, and you have opened my eyes to someone I was not aware of, so thanks for the education here. I really enjoyed the poem and a trip down your poetic memory lane.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think Lawrence would have far exceeded any expectations...he was a gem of a poet and helped so many of his fellow Beats get published.
As far as "I am waiting:--that is my favorite of his.
When I was in grad school I got to read that one aloud in my Modern American poetry class.
It was a joy.

thank you for your kind review.
Yes, the Beats had a voice that got me interested in writing my own poetry....then I listened to so much of Simon and Garfunkel...saw them at SIU and had a best friend who wrote...the combination of all and my pen started moving.
thank you again, Doodley.
j.

[Montana ~ Arthur Henn]

Jacob… excellent piece of writing took me back several years ago… Ten maybe? I think of the man dressed In worn clothes. A bum. A homeless man. A very distant character of a man. His head bent down while writing very fast in a beaten up spiral notebook that looked like it has seen it’s season’s of day. While he wrote he was mumbling and talking to himself never looking up. This was taking place in a fast food restaurant. He had a sign around his neck that read. DON’T ASK. I so much wanted to see and read what he was writing. I continued eating and watching him with excitement! A hidden smile on my mind. He finally stopped writing. Paused with his pen in hand. Eyes closed like he was in prayer. He raised up his head, eyes still closed turning his head in my direction and opened his eyes looking straight through me like I wasn’t even there. He smiled, no teeth and his eyes lit up like fireworks and he spoke at me. Now you can ask! I was so dumbfounded I didn’t know what to say. It was cold that night. I went and bought him a cup of hot coffee. And when I return. The man was gone. A note on my table that read…. IMAPOET… All letters and no spaces.

Anyway. Your poem here brought back that memory.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

that is such a cool memory...IMAPOET....
don't we all wish to be?
he sounded like he lived the life of a poem...
words shuffling along the lines like alleyways...begging for a bit of attention, just to be used.
thank you, Arthur...
j.

[AYVID N]

a rebel poet who refused rhyme
who spent time
in free verse apartments
with a small black light
for illumination

Great lines for a fascinating literary figure. Poets are such great instruments of change. Wish the world used them better. Thank you for introducing me to this great poet, his poetry and quotes. I enjoyed his reading his 'A Coney Island of the Mind' after reading this poem.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I am glad you enjoyed the Coney Island poem.
I love that piece...and I spent much time at Coney Island when I was a kind living in the Bronx.
I hope we are still instruments of change...but I don't know if poets can change the world...we do comment on the state of things.
thank you, DIVYA,
I appreciate you,
j.

[AYVID N]

You are welcome, my friend.

[Scott Kris]

One of the few times I enjoyed the use of “that” …. Usually I prefer “this” or “the other”, but seldom “that”. It’s a b*****d word in most sentences. Yet here, you dressed it up and taught it to dance and sing.
Thank you for sharing your gifts here.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Scott.

[W. Barrett Munn]

It seems I read a similar poem of yours
but this one is much stronger so I think maybe a revision? Whatever, it is high quality work.

Winston

[jacob erin-cilberto]

No, it's a new poem...and yes, similar theme before I am sure...but once I write them, I leave them...
thank you for your kind comment, Winston,
j.