Then

Then

I can't overcome

the ashes that will rest

in the cool lake water

there is an intimacy 

associated with the end

almost a comfortable silence

approaching

it feels imminent

I smile and laugh

as if I live nothing

but whims

desperate tears

hidden in a dark room

of despair mixed with indignant

rebuff

I won't go quietly

until I do go quietly

kicking up a fuss

means little when then

is now

and it is time to reserve a cloud

on which to float silently away

I smile and laugh

and will

even after my last breath

tastes that cool water.

erin-cilberto

2/9/25

Reviews

[Desert Knave]

There is an acceptance here that pervades the whole write ... quietly or not, we all go into that good night. ~Jim

[andrew mitchell]

We are quite fixated by the end being mortal. We become our own time keepers. Another gem J.

[John the Baptist]

Death provokes both despair and outrage within us. In the end, though, the best strategy comes at the end of the poem. You can't go against it, so you may as well go with it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, may as well, as you say....
thanks, John,
j.

[keith]

whether we want to or not
at some time in our lives we all make our peace
me? i do it every fukin day!

you hit the nail on the head jacob
sometimes the wait is worth the discovery
you got good ink

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your words, keith.
j.

[redzone]

human beings are the only creatures who are conscious of our deaths and our lives, and yet have no choice in where or when we are born or die. It is the in-between stuff that matters. It is the way we live our lives and what we live our lives for that has meaning.

Jacob, I hope I am invited to the celebration of your life. I will come with loud compassion and joy since this is how I have come to know you. I will sit under an old oak near where you rest and read from your many books of poetry, while in the background the music of your life will be playing. Jacob, you may desire that 'soft cloud' and 'quiet', but the finger snaps will reverberate around the world.

Jacob, know that you are and will be loved! Your life and poetry has a great effect! Perhaps what is written on your grave stone might be, "Death, you b*****d, I still have my pen!"
-Curt

[jacob erin-cilberto]

What did Emily D. say? "we have the power to kill but not the power to die"?
I like those words on the gravestone...thanks, Curt.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Your pending travels must have inspired this piece and I can imagine all sort of thoughts will be streaming through your mind when you get there. You have chosen your resting place, all of us must contemplate our endings at some point. You are prepared, but not ready yet. There is still plenty of living to do. It will be the end of one journey and the start of another. In some ways exciting because, we have no idea what comes next. The time goes faster as we age, and we see the hour glass emptying of sand. That cool lake is one beautiful place to go. Serene, quiet and full of memories. Your friends reading this will have a tear in their eye. Beautiful piece j.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, being prepared is not quite the same as being ready....
thank you, Chris,
j.

[Ookpik]

One day I will be in the same position you are in, jacob, as will we all. I can only hope that when the time comes to round that corner, I can reconcile it with the grace you've evidenced here.

Though I appreciate your lines on laughter, I sympathize equally with the lines on the dark room - there isn't much I can offer by way of reassurance, I'm in no position to, nor does it seem you've written this to ask for any.

In fact, I get the feeling you've provided this as a means of reassurance for your readers, and your friends, as opposed to the other way around.

I hope we can all appreciate the courage it takes, to do that.

One of your best Jacob.

-Ook

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your very kind review, Ook,
j.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Facing our own mortality can be brutal hard and scary at first. I hope it’s a long way off for us all but at same time look forward to seeing my passed on relatives and creator my God that I personally believe in. I will miss my family and kids and nature

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, there are folks I look forward to seeing again if that is what happens.
thank you, Julie,
j.

[Sami Khalil]

Death is a must to us all; when our time comes, we turn back to dust. Our spirits will await judgement day when God recreates new bodies for our spirits and face His judgement.
Until then, let us leave a good legacy and help humanity in good ways.
Best wishes on your journey Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind response, Sami,
j.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome sir Jacob.

[Stella Armour]

"Do not go gentle into that good night"

I must admit that being older than you Jacob i get this feeling of slipping into a peaceful cloud and letting it take me away , but then my stubborn soul kicks out and i shake it off for the time being. I try to remember that round the next corner there might be something i don't want to miss 😄

Stella

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, I get it....and I am rounding as many corners as I can now...with time getting slimmer.
j.