Letter to the Muse

Letter to the Muse

writing poetry was your idea,

not mine

I just wanted to have some love

read others' books

and fantasize

being recognized

then you put my name

on your poems

did books and used

my signature

I couldn't pretend

we both know who was responsible

It was all the time,

you gave me your voice

and I used it.

but I know you will take leave

one day,

and then what?

What am I to do with that?

be an old voice mimicking 

you?

Will anyone believe?

Or will I just fade into the sunset

carrying one of your books

with my name as author

and the words inside

the ones you squeezed out of me

when I was too weak

to put the pen down

our ruse

our sin

became the words 

we're in.

erin-cilberto

12/31/23

Reviews

[Stella Armour]

I just love this Jacob,
it is such a truth that poetry is a collaboration with a muse... and how fickle these muses can be when they abandon us for no reason.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I really don't think I play much of a part in the collaboration, but thank you, Stella,
j.

[Stella Armour]

haha..... maybe you are just the editor like me :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think there was postage due on this poem.
Thank you for your kind words, but I still don't believe anything I write comes from me.

Happy New Year, Chris!
j.

[Chris Shaw]

There is no trick, no sin. You have openly said you are a conduit for your muse. What is more, she loves you far too much to ever abandon you. A wonderful letter to the muse. Don’t let her take all the credit though. It’s a partnership and an exclusive one. Love this poem J.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think there was postage due on this poem.
Thank you for your kind words, but I still don't believe anything I write comes from me.

Happy New Year, Chris!
j.