in the old days

in the old days

 

mama cried 

on her Pendleton sleeve

plaid tears

the kind that explode

like bubbles

when pricked by fear

 

the jacket

encompassed an anxious soul

a hitherto frozen heart

 

her children cried too

but her jacket 

was buttoned up so tightly

 

she could not feel a drop.

 

 

erin-cilberto

3/24/25

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

We must wonder what made Mama cry. She is described as an anxious soul, and possibly repressed, so that she could not express her deepest feelings, even to her family. Of course, we must consider the time she lived. Free expression of emotion was not always encouraged in the past.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, tough upbringings can shut people down.
thanks, John,
j.

[Soren]

Sometimes the feeling and the showing of emotions is not congruent. We hide things from others and sometimes from ourselves. A most lovely write Jacob

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your words, Soren.
j.

[redd Brick Keshner]

We appear to each of us have our defence mechanisms and Linusian security blankets. This could have very well been speaking of my mum. Incredible j, fantastic read🙏🏻🕊️

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I appreciate that, Freds...
WE can only hope readers can relate to what we write.
j.

[redd Brick Keshner]

And quite a blessing it is when they do🙏🏻🕊️

[Patricia]

this is fabulous writing, every stanza is filled with images and emotion but that ending, wow, was absolutely stellar.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Patricia,
j.

[Amanda Reynolds]

Thank you for sharing this poem, I relate to this as my 80 year old mother has only recently started to disclose certain things she tried to protect myself and siblings from, it must be a lot to carry...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Very hard burden to carry....I am glad she is talking to you...getting it out.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

The safety of love and the need for memories. A wonderful poem shared Jacob. Our memories, us old poets wealth. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Coyote,
j.

[Sami Khalil]

Mothers are tough cookies indeed; they suffer a lot for their children and upbringing.
Gorgeous metaphors to cherish and honor her, your own.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Sami.
j.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome sir Jacob!