Grounded

Grounded

 

in my illustrious career

I have achieved nothing

 

years of looking forward

just vision, no precision

no adhesion to a purpose

 

wrote things, did things

non-descriptive things

as that word suggests

 

I am a non-specific entity

with general consequence

in a "tell-me" existence

 

the "show-me" superfluously 

lost in the womb

 

nine months to ponder possibility

one moment to have it severed

like the umbilical

 

I am practical

coming to an understanding of me

 

I never intended

greatness, 

in my shallowness

the cocoon enough

never wanted to fly

 

Wings and things

are for others to flit about

that's not what I'm about

 

maybe in the next life

I will be a Monarch

 

but for now, my kingdom

has sheets, a blanket

and idleness as my pillow

 

and I rule.

without lifting a disinterested

finger

head

 

or heart.

 

erin-cilberto

8/19/23

Reviews

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Jacob,

regardless of that which you may, or may not, think, you are not so very different than other folks who damn sure do not possess your wonderfully enlightening and entertaining gift for writing most majestic Poetry ...

There almost seems to be an air of impending finality sewn twixt these lines, that I do hope does not arrive for a multitude of happy and healthy years to come ... I find myself lifted up and inspired by every visit that I make to your page, for I am altogether totally different than you when it comes to writing muse and topics of which I seem near driven to write about ... With you, I can relax, rest, and enjoy life, love, heartbreak, sorrow, and simplicity for just a moment of a short while ... I leave elated each and every time, and that without fail ...

Marve

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your very encouraging words, Marve,
j.

[duff]

Each person has their own ideas of success and achievement. The obvious are materialistic things but there is so much beyond that. Every person has their own measuring stick and that's all that matters. I like it Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, duff.
j.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Quote here
In my illustrious career I have achieved nothing
That’s my favourite line Jacob

It tells of your possible discontent at your achievements

It’s like a skinny person seeing a fat in the mirror we never see us as others do

We the readers see your writing as brilliant stars ! With a standing ovation 👏
You see one shadow in the crease of the moon and pick it to pieces

The writer never sees their worth
They see their unfinished symphony that they never quite start

[jacob erin-cilberto]

your review is music to me, thank you, Julie,
j.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Thanks I can’t sing 🎶 though

[Patricia Wedel]

Life is measured in Dreams that give you Ideas to dance 💃 on Paper with prose about Heroes that become Professors of Poetry where Ballerinas tip toe in Rows of Roses … softly, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I sure enjoy watching ballet, thank you, Pat.
j.

[Sami Khalil]

I felt the author and his resignation; things don't pan out in life like we want; most of the time we have to change plans, shift gears, even backwards to continue the journey.
Count your blessings, I say, before your achievements. Life should be measured in qualities, not quantities, I may add humbly.
You are highly blessed and favored

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, and yes, blessings before achievements...so right.
j.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You are welcome sir Jacob

[Chris Shaw]

There is a contentment here with your lot and I would say that is a very good place to be. Grounded is a great title and speaks to me about stability and acceptance.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Chris, appreciate your words...
j.

[John the Baptist]

I can't decide if this one is about understanding or self reproach. With all of your skills, I would hope the former would be the case. Self understanding and self acceptance are two of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. When I think of "great" poets, the number of head cases is unsettling.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and poems are not always, in fact more often just poems, not necessarily biographical...but loosely based.
thanks, John,
j.

[Stella Armour]

i keep explaining to people that i am .
"Just me, what you see is what you get ; no pretense, no big ego .... just me "

Then they look at me like some freak lol..

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Most poets do not have big egos...a few might.
thank you, Stella.
The Turtles, in their song, Let me Be...sang..
"I am what I am and that's all I ever can be."

[Stella Armour]

Perfect Jacob, I will try to remember to say that next time I have to explain myself ..

[AYVID]

I have really started to think that the markers of a successful life are very different from what we are made to believe. No one, however great today, will really matter 70-80 years hence, let alone even a very measurable span such as a century. So, who is a real king or queen? Perhaps, the one who is doing what he enjoys and enjoys what he is doing...? The one who's living contentedly with themselves...? I know for a fact that the successful, the famous and the rich are as vulnerable, perhaps more, than those who live ordinary lives.
Life ends for all and no one sees it coming. So, I'm learning to rule my niche with gratitude and acceptance of what I am.

Thank you for this very inspiring poem, dear friend. Your words speak volumes about the great place you are in with yourself and your life right now.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

perhaps, The meek will inherit the earth?
Thank you for your response, Divya,
j.

[Lorry]

Well Jacob, as one non specific entity to another, I concur.
I would have an opinion on the matter, but those things just seem too specific for my non specificness to wrap its head around.
Who is to say what greatness is anyway? Certainly not I, at least until I've thought about it for a while, asi find that comfy spot in the bed and will soon wake to forget what I was pondering anyway! 😊
But you do write so well, for someone who sees that being so specific as to rate your fine words is just not in our nature. 😊

[jacob erin-cilberto]

a non-specific head...they can wrap around anything, can't they?
Thanks, Lorry, appreciate your words,
j.