the unknown poet

the unknown poet

i think i emerged extinct

yesterday morning

the sun did not rise

but turned in sorrow

all my words

pirouetted into dust

and no one remembered me

or my letters

the last one i wrote 

to memory

was forgotten in an instant

a poem sat and stared at me

but i could not conjure its name

or place a title.

erin-cilberto

9/10/24

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

Sad to think our words will fly away in a storm of dust one day. Will anyone remember them? I think every poet wonders. The personification of the poem itself is great here. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, Lydi,
j.

[Soren]

Sadness rolls over me as I read this. There is a plea for validation so elequently stated. We often don't get to see our influence in this world yet it is there a butterfly effect. I must state before it is too late that your poetry has effected me immensly and although the titles fade the words remain. Each stanza in this poem strikes straight to the heart. I have written poems on this subject as well but they seem to pale to this one

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind thoughts, Soren,
j.

[Sami Khalil]

Your legacy is etched in your readers' hearts and minds; no worries, you have contributed a lot to the art of writing. You are uniquely you.
Woozy

[jacob erin-cilberto]

That is kind of you to say, Sami...
j.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome sir Jacob.

[Marie]

Dear J... I think each writer is subject to such spells from time to time, but you have beaten the spell by writing a wonderful poem about the event. I remember a local playwright, songwriter and author in my locality who never had to buy firelighters to start the fire due to all the papers he had to burn from lack of inspiration, but he went on to be very famous and there is a beautiful sculpture in his memory in our local Garden of Europe. You have captured the feeling superbly in the poem. Thank you for sharing, J... Lovely work!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Love your story of the playwright...thank you, Marie,
j.

[Marie]

It is a true story, dear J... The playwright was John B. Keane and I knew him quite well. He was a native of Listowel in County Kerry where I have lived all my life. He was a man of the people and he and his wife Mary ran a pub in town which is now run by their son Billy. He had a special room over the pub overlooking the street, this is where he wrote. He struggled for years to have his work published, but he eventually won the struggle. I saw many of his plays growing up like Sive, Big Maggie, etc and I love his song Many Young Men of Twenty which is about emigration. It has a beautiful rhythm. Wishing you a very blessed, joyful and beautiful Sunday, dear J. Relax and enjoy, dear friend....

[adornoscousin]

any poet, any where can empathize. I feel like this everyday and sometimes contemplate the idea of quitting writing. GReat poem

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, adornoscousin,
j.

[apennylate]

when i feel like i lack material to write about,
that then,
becomes what i write about...

emptiness is a material, use it, or be lost to it...


Very much enjoyed this, thanks for sharing

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your words, apennylate,
j.

[Dave]

Jacob - welcome to the club!! Those, these dry spells are a killer. Sometimes I wrack or is it wreak my brain to come up with a decent or should it be decadent thought.

Hang in there and take care - Dave.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Maybe wreak....I like seeing that word used in some other context than with "havoc"---
thank you, Dave,
j.

[Arundass TP]

I don't write a perfect poem. I ffel, I don't remember what I wrote. If anyone asks, I don't know. It's not because of memory problem. We poets are pregnant each day and we are giving birth. Our children can be good, worst or dead. But we don't cry either. We become pregnant again....good poem

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, pregnant each day...and then the births come or not...Thank you, Arundass.
j.

[Relic]

This sounds like a nightmare to a poet. You've left your mark here like an engravement J. My old hall of fame writing these days would have to have you at the top of the all time greats. You'll never be forgotten here on this site.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Very kind of you, Relic....I'm just a working poet like the rest of us...we all have a voice that needs to be heard.
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

Dear Jacob... the perfect Poem for me to read this very late evening. I am very melancholy as I have an urgent Condition that may require Gallbladder Surgery immediately. I have not felt this sick for years. I appreciate your Prayers (and others also). It seems the World is slipping away from me, and I want to stay longer. softly, Pat p.s. Roger is Stable, but is diabetic and takes Dialysis for seven years, and is on Oxygen. We "trust" you are well. I think your Poetry is awesome. Amen, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you have my prayers with you, Pat.
j.

[Relic]

You have my prayers as well, Pat. Your words have been an important part of WC.

[Patricia Wedel]

Thank you Jacob.. your words are like flowers… 🌺 Pat