that kid

that kid

 

many years ago

I caught a leaf

in my Bronx fingers

didn't see any trees around

just apartment buildings

trying to reach the autumn sun

 

concrete musings

taxis screaming

across blocks of angry people

 

and I wondered what it was

as it crumbled in my

curious hand.

 

 

erin-cilberto

9/17/24

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

So sad that a child should not know what a crumbling leaf was. Speaks to me of concrete cities. I was brought up in a city, but we did have a park within the vicinity. I will never forget the fascination of discovering white bindweed trumpets. Just a weed, but to me a wonder. A sensitive child, you were J. Doesn’t surprise me in the least. A relatable poem.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind comments, Chris,
j.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I've heard that "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"...maybe it floated all the way from there. ;) Now if the ghost of Betty Smith will forgive me...I was more like that old Bobby Bare song, "A Million Miles from the City." Give that one a listen on YouTube if you're curious. I enjoyed the read as always. F.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I am going to listen to it, thanks, Fabian.

[Andrew John]

Curious hand, indeed! This gives us all thoughts of what can happen to us at times. Thanks for that kid, Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

that kid is yours if you want him, Andrew....ha ha.
thank you for your response to this piece.
j.

[Mark]

An interesting captured moment, perfect in it's simple way. Nicely done as always Jacob

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Mark,
kind words,
j.

[Red Brick Keshner]

Reminds me of that (now) old B&W film where a dying lady had an ivy(?) vine as her last visual comfort outside her sickbed window; the last green of the then freshly concreted N.Y. Her sister painted in the last leaf since it had withered and fell to the ground in the night.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I wish I could remember the name of this movie...I know I saw it.
Thank you for your words,read moreI wish I could remember the name of this movie...I know I saw it.
Thank you for your words,
j.

[nadia dmitri]

Wow this is so cool. Its a symbolic story almost. Impressive and very well written :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, nadia,
j.

[Pete]

the only thing i can say for city life is at least there isn't much to rake aside from trash. i always get a strange unnatural feeling when i visit cities. nature is and always will be my grand refuge.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I feel exactly the same, Pete....exactly.
thanks,
j.

[Desert Knave]

Not sure what to say other than this one hits the spot. A leaf, in the right place, would be like the bottle that fell from the sky in "The Gods Must Be Crazy". Anyhow, you continue to produce quite readable and relatable magic with your words. Kudos. ~Jim

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for the kind comment, Jim,
j.

[Marie]

I love how you acknowledge your inner child in this very poignant poem. So sad for me to read that a lovely little boy did not know what a leaf was, but that's because you lived in a world of tar and cement, with no trees. Big cities chop down trees and anything that gets in their way in order to expand. I can understand that too. I hope you now live close to Mother Nature and see many multicoloured leafs this beautiful time of year, dear J... and hope your beautiful inner child enjoys! Thank you for sharing...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Oh, but in falls and summers I learned...Vermont was such beautiful countryside. Then I would go back to that city life....and....
thanks, Marie,
j.

[Marie]

Most welcome always, dear J...

[emmajoygreen]

Those words shot right through me, jacob! How true that can be, poetry or not. Time chops down so much in varying degrees over the centuries.. and so often what Man needs to survive - growth of all kinds, rooted or not. Without those crumbling leaves, the coming season would be frozen before it dies in all its wondrous glory.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your words, em,
j.

[emmajoygreen]

Perhaps Something knew that you would never forget what so many don't even notice.