the pace of actuality

the pace of actuality

 

 

 

there were 16 candles once

decades later

16 breaths are more deliberate

slowly climbing out from the lungs

of experience

timing never was an easy achievement

rhythm came with poetry

 

i am still trying to blow out those candles

only now

 

it is one at a time.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

12/2/22

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

Those days of teenage years were so innocent, yet exciting! looking back on them…. On the other hand with maturity, one’s poetry ripened with experience and became really polished…. But with that also came aging, not so good, so now my breath is labored and I can only blow them out one at a time….
Best, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think I can blow out a half a candle at a time....
thank you, Betty,
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

We can always look back at our tender years!
You're welcome J.
Best, B

[light and ashes]

I love how this is phrased. Your writing is among the best, in my opinion, dear jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind comment, Light,
j.

[light and ashes]

You are always welcome.

[willweb]

Ah, 16...it seems like it was just yesterday if yesterday was eons ago. And yes, there were situations where timing either meant a magical evening or some unwanted news a few months later. Though we didn't think too much about timing at the time, we just took our chances that the dance steps followed the safest rhythm.
I kind of remember those days. : )

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Funny, it does feel like yesterday...and for me it is 56 years since those high school dances and romances.
thank you, will,
j.

[Lydia Shutter]

A crush from the teen years looks a lot different in hindsight...but is hindsight really 20/20? So much changes through the years. Nope, can't blow out all those candles at once anymore. Your metaphors are always great. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

hindsight might seem 20/20 but I think that is because we think it so...
we want to see it that way.
thank you, Lydi

[Ciara]

There's something to be said for saving your breath though.
As we get older we become better at it. Save your breath for beautiful words.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Ciara,
j.

[John the Baptist]

I seem to recall a song called "Sixteen Candles." That was a LONG time ago. If you can remember it, maybe you should hire someone to blow out those candles.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

oh my yes, the Crests...and growing old, "The worst that can happen" Brooklyn Bridge..same lead singer as in the Crests.
as simon and garfunkel sang..."time hurries on, and the leaves that are green turn to brown, and they wither in the wind, and they crumble in your hand"-
thank you, John for that memory.
j.

[W. Barrett Munn]

Only an old alter boy would write about timing and rhythm as a poetic method. :-)

Winston

[jacob erin-cilberto]

well I was an altar boy, it is true.
the rhythm method, ah ha.
thanks, Winston....needed a smile tonight...

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

I just had a birthday now. I didn'y blow out the candles but I know that felling you express here. As we get up in age every birthday is a chance to reflect and ponder what we have done, could we do have done better, and most importantly what will we do with the best chapter of our ife.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

lots of reflecting these days...
maybe we could have done better, but we have to give ourselves a break...and know we do the best we can.

[Chris Shaw]

I don’t celebrate birthdays anymore J. Once you get to a certain age, they become a constant reminder that our youth has gone :)However, , with age comes wisdom and the poetry is much better than at sixteen. There are some benefits dear friend that come with age. They just take a bit longer to find.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

just a bit longer, yes.
thank you, my friend,
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

It takes a Lifetime to understand… we have more Candles every year… we can become Wiser .. like Owls with glowing eyes that see inside the Mystic reason for our demise when the Roll is called up yonder… we’ll be there. tenderly, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

oh, those mystic reasons...Into the Mystic (Van Morrison)
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

I called up that Song from U-Tube “Mystic” by Van Morrison… we love Irish ☘️ Music… on our way to Dialysis .. will listen to more later.. Thanks Jacob.. Pat