The Vault

The Vault

My Poulin anthology has

seen better days

pages ripped away

like hearts with weak binding

stuffed between earlier leaves

still holding onto their youth

the young caring for the old

determined to keep the book

surviving---it's little world

shadowing the big one---

the real one---

my autographed picture of 

Gwendolyn Brooks hanging on

barely

but her eyes pierce 

more than ever with that Pulitzer gaze

makes me wonder if these imagined poems

belie younger versions

of old poets still trying to matter

more than just being

numbers that remind  them

of the draft lottery

being called peaceniks

and beatniks

and do-nothingniks

crying aloud with protest

syllables

Some of the younger poets in

the anthology respect the aged analysts

of the time---

But when they write...they weren't there--- a

generation removed

the decapitated bards

pretend poetry with a purpose

want to be needed

want their voices to resonate

be preserved---

want to be old voices

in the next Poulin---

want all rights reserved

and when they tear away

from the Mother binding

to be secured within the 

pages of the next generation poets

who grace the pages

as significant sentinels

           of the written word.

2/13/25

Reviews

[h d e rushin]

With "Annie Allen" and the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in tow, Gwen wanted what all young black girls of her era wanted. To be beautiful. Plath wanted it too. And perhaps the poet gives in, then gives up all physical pursuits in hopes of confronting the suspicions of their youth. Clearness and perspicuity can resemble guilt and mistrust in a room full of mirrors. Every black poet of the 1930s wanted to sound like Countee Cullen. And I couldn't agree more. Just as every poet, post Plath, wanted the universe to know how bad they hurt. Anthologies are juries. Even if you proclaim your innocence, their verdict is final.

ps: My candidate for President lost the election. We put Mom in a nursing home, where they took all of her resources and made her situation even worse. We brought her home to live out her days stumbling around carrying old toasters and Christmas bulbs up and down the basement stairs. Your poetry still moves me to no end. dana

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, mine lost as well...I am so sorry about what happened with your mom.
I was lucky enough to meet up with Gwendolyn three times and had really fun chats with her. ONe of the sweetest people I have ever met. And what a poet!
I miss your writing, dana.

I was very moved by this review.
j.

[Everett Dulin]

From what I've seen that's just poetry in general. It is a gamble you take, to be seen or forgotten, but I don't think that's what matters. I think it matters those that you do influence, or the ideas you brought to the world. If we're all forgotten isn't it still nice we get to call ourselves poets. Lovely writing as always.

-E

[Everett Dulin]

p.s. we have our own world to live through, it might be different, but we're surrounded by experience.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

All I have wanted to be since I can remember is a poet.
thank you Everett.
j.

[D. Mansfield]

"significant sentinels of the written word, " I love this. and I love the poem

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, D.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

The old worn and thumbed anthologies will make way for newer ones for the generations that follow. Some of the older poets will remain, but some will be replaced by the upcoming poets of the day. It is the way of the world. Very much out with the old and in with the new. That doesn’t mean the older poets will be forgotten. The better ones will make their mark. All poets want to make a mark. So few do. Kind of sad isn’t it?

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, most of us will soon be forgotten.
j.

[Katrina Mckeown]

Like pages ripped away like hearts with weak binding.
Very well penned .
Katrina

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Katrina,
j.

[Desert Knave]

I like this. My favorite "anthology" is actually Bartlett's Familiar, an old edition that is really starting to fall apart, but it is so loaded with wisdom. ~Jim

[jacob erin-cilberto]

The "falling apart" ones are priceless.
j.

[Laz K.]

(almost) anyone can write, but it takes an exceptional talent to create poetry - either on paper, or in their "real life." who decides what gets anthologized and (for a time) preserved and passed on? there's an allegorical painting called "Time Rescues Truth from Falsehood and Envy" by François Lemoyne. it would suggest that these things are not random. but, one does wonder.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, we often wonder who decides on the lucky few who get anthologized...Thank you, Laz.
j.

[K. Louis]

I especially liked the comparison between the worn-out book and the passage of time, highlighting the contrast between youthful energy and worn-out remnants of the old. I think it's an honest reflection on the struggle to find relevance and authenticity in art. The poem raises questions about the role of young poets in carrying on the legacy of those who came before them. Nicely written.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, K. Relevance, my God we want to have that in our art...but who knows...
thank you,
read moreYes, K. Relevance, my God we want to have that in our art...but who knows...
thank you,
j.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Ooh, this makes me wonder and consider where my spot is in the spectrum 🙏🏻

[jacob erin-cilberto]

AS poets, I do think we all wonder that, Freds,
thank you for the read.
j.

[redd Brick Keshner]

You’re welcome j 🙏🏻🕊
Freds.