Social Maze

Social Maze

i was the affluent

cease fire 

caught in a storm

of cigarette smoke

cocktail party banter

and perfectly groomed fashion

where life and comfort 

took a back seat

to appearance and perception

while they drove me into a madness

that still resides within

even though i never even

had a drink before the 

"Good night, thanks for coming..."

...as empty a sentiment

as the empty martini glass

holding on hard to the uneaten olive.

erin-cilberto

10/19/24

Reviews

[Aarti Sriram]

Ouch, it hurts seeing someone in that space, where people come to only show off and drink until death. The obligatory greetings and hollow enquiries, noone ever feels happy there I guess. There are always parties and parties happening. yeyt, hearts and stomachs are empty even though one spends so much on expensive gastronomy served in fine china!!
I really enjoyed your reflective writing @jacob erin-cilberto . looking forward to reading more of you!
Cheers,
Aarti Sriram

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, Aarti,
j.

[emmajoygreen]

Words to think about - and seriously, dear friend. Perhaps when you look at those social whatevers, let them in turn see you as you see yourself in the mirror. With luck, your guidance and perseverance they might grow up normal-natural and honest! Let them stuff their olives wherever..

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you em.
I spent most of my life rebelling against a notion of who I was supposed to be.
j.

[emmajoygreen]

Oh yes, yes, yes. - being prey to other people's idea of conformity but in fact, is malformation and the winner cos - it has more letters!

[Lorry]

Life is indeed a social maze, where not so little boys and girls play dress up and be on bestliest behaviour to portray being a proper growed up in the hope that we are taken seriously.
We add so many facades to ourselves to play a part that it amazes me that we still gaze into the mirror for any signs of the person we used to be, before life growed us up!
Forget the fashion Jacob and go be that little kid. Jump in a puddle without worrying about getting wet. You'll feel much better for it and that impish smile will return, guaranteed! 😃

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I remember wishing I were taken seriously...
Now I am taken too seriously...being much older...
and the puddle felt good.
thanks, Lorry,
j.

[redzone]

what a visual portrait of the emptiness of the "social maze" one must conquer at such events (parties). I'm referring to the last two lines: "as the empty martini glass / holding on to the uneaten olive." In some ways, these parties are a perfect reflection of how our social connections with others have deteriorated into meaningless encounters where it is appearance replaces real conversation, real connection. Perhaps that martini is needed to wash away what is left of our humanity (the uneaten olive), Jacob.

I am amazed by your poetry, your use of metaphor, yourr humanity, and what drive you to madness.
Curt

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your insights and kind words, Curt.
j.