the reading lamp is lit

the reading lamp is lit

 

 

 

dad's in the used bookstore

buying novels for mama

to bury her soul into

with her reading spectacles

chained over ears that hear nothing

when she is engrossed

 

dad's in his armchair

with his newspaper lying in his lap

as he snores over the TV channel

that is only snowing on the screen

It is a cold night

 

separation of penance

silence is the contrition

until morning light

when over coffee and eggs

the dialogue rehearsed

becomes the real play

 

and he no longer has to rely

on soliloquy 

to keep him company.

 

 

erin-cilberto

7/14/23

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

You have described ME....I do bury my soul in a book when I start one. The world can end and I will not notice if the words have grabbed me. My dad used to fall asleep in his chair and the newspaper was his blanket! A channel snowing on the screen....I don't think that even happens anymore. Then the last stanza...makes me feel like this is an old married couple who really don't have anything in common anymore. There is loneliness between the lines. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your understanding words, Lydi,
j.

[willweb]

He goes out and buys her novels so he can sleep in his recliner without being constantly asked, "Are you sleeping?" She is so into her book she has no idea he is even in the room (I suspect) and he likes it that way (I also suspect) They will always have morning, breakfast, coffee and some conversation until he leaves to hit the used book store again. (I suspect) Very good Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your interpretation, will,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Memories of your mum and dad and how they lived their days. Easy to see where you got your love of reading from. I remembered my own mum and dad their evenings together always in the company of music and often with friends visiting our home. Our home was very lively, yours appeared to be quieter. Much enjoyed J.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, their home was very quiet in the last years...my dad read quietly.
thank you, Chris,
read moreYes, their home was very quiet in the last years...my dad read quietly.
thank you, Chris,
j.

[FGFRANKLIN]

I really liked reading this. It reminded me of my own parents. I'd sometimes catch my dad in conversation with himself and ask, were you talking to me dad? He'd say, nope, just talking to myself. Sometimes I need expert advice. He had a good sense of humor.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

sounds like he did...I would like to have met him.
j.

[Silmara McGarry]

Here was I reading and trying to imagine your parents in their day to day life so well and sweetly
put in this lovely poem....and at the same time inevitably remembering my own parents when my dad was still alive, ohhh the memories...
Thank you so much dear Jacob for this wonderful poem🌷

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I hope your memories are also a treasure.
thanks for sharing, Silmara,
j.

[Sami Khalil]

A snapshot into your parents likes, dislikes, habits in their marriage. It is powerful reminder of how it all affects the views of children, whether positive or negative; some are embraced, others annoy the hell out of them.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think I annoyed the hell out of their peace...:)))
thanks, Sami,
j.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You are welcome sir Jacob

[Troy Henson]

Nice one Jacob. Some beautiful imagery here. Great to read you again.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Troy...and likewise...it was good to read you again.
j.

[Andrew John]

Nice one. Oh, reminders of Mum and Dad - and I had two of each: two of them steps, of course.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Andrew,
j.