jacob erin-cilberto Intersection Blues Poetry

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Water Forest Press Books

Intersection Blues

By  jacob erin-cilberto

With each successive collection of poems, it becomes increasingly clear that we have a poetic genius in our midst.  In this latest collection, jacob erin-cilberto tests the limits of creativity, and the result is nothing short of astounding, authentic, fresh poetry.  He gives us haiku,  senryu, free verse and acrostics all with equal expertise and skill.

In the title poem, he tells us he is “a poet stopped at a red light”, but we  come to realize, as we read all the poems here, that he is merely at a crossroads of sorts, and getting his bearings with keen observation, as he continues on his travels.

“The Composition of You” is a remarkably beautiful and sentimental poem in which the speaker paints a vivid image of the object of his affection for the reader, so we see the beauty through his eyes.  One is reminded of Mona Lisa’s enigmatic smile and gaze when the poet says:

i see under the layers

a posing of sadness

reaching the surface in some code of suppressed memory

everything seems to mean something else

Just as it is with DaVinci’s famous portrait, so it is with erin-cilberto’s poem.  With each reading, we see another layer, another degree of complexity, and are drawn in by the beauty of the words and we see it is a thing “to be held, to be appreciated” and “not to be hung senselessly on a wall for show”.

The series of 5 poems,  “Run Ons – Splice” (1 through 5) is playful and imaginative, with the poet creating meaning through structure.  They are like “pieces of [him] with no title”, so we don’t need titles….we are allowed glimpses of his innermost feelings.

“anonymously unbecoming of e.e. cummings and not really Creely” is one of the most unique and intriguing poems in the book.  It is at once whimsical and reverent, paying homage to all of the greats.  The poet claims he will:

“never go toe to toe with Poe

nor match wits with Whitman

keep the beat like Keats

or write long and mellow

like Longfellow”

As you read on, it becomes clear that the poet might be measuring himself against the greats; yet, he does so much more than “skirt the rim of some of them”.  He proves that he is worthy to be counted among them.

I marvel at his economy of words, and nowhere is it more evident than in his “six-word poems”.  There is a saying that “brevity is the soul of wit”, and so it is here.  He says so much with so few words.

For example, “In Retrospect…a six word very short story” :

“I am, you are, we weren’t”

This simple phrase speaks volumes.  It defines why relationships don’t work and I would imagine that there aren’t many readers who cannot relate to this in some way. 

Yet another example of his concise use of language can be found in “Fancy Meeting You Here” :

“…because fate

accidentally

intervenes

on purpose”

There is such basic truth in this paradox.  It eloquently reminds us of the idea that sometimes, people coming into our lives seems to be nothing short of serendipitous. 

But my favorite poem has to be “Neglected Returns”.  I’ve read a lot of jacob’s poetry, and I never cease to be amazed at this incredibly gifted poet.  He would balk at being called a poetic genius, preferring to see himself as a mere “conduit” of the words. 

“again

never happens before first times

and the last chance to get it right

is the first time we get it wrong”

This poet uses such simple and elegant words to convey such complexity of thought.  His poetry is as humble as he is.  This is pure jacob.  How fortunate for us that he has stopped at this “intersection” to pause and share his gift with us. 

~Jill Lapin-Zell