After a weekend of seeing our brilliant youth and their adult mentors in the church’s summer musical, then ministering on Sunday morning with the Edge Band, you’d think I’d be all tuckered out. In truth, it’s those busy weekends that sometimes set me behind the 8-ball of posting to last week’s prompts! Ye,t last night, I was up until 3 writing to a prompt from Joseph Harker (see last post, an ekphrastic poem), bitten by that late-night manic muse.
Here are two poems written for three sites. Enjoy, as I bask in cool air here in Wisconsin, an increasing rarity these days.
FOR ABC AND REAL TOADS:
Depression Hates Sunlight
Cloistered in my corner
Life passes by bay windows
Fresh air beckons
Big sis is on her horse today
Rides her farm, inspects the hives
Middle sis building a new home in the woods
I should be peeking at a wedding at the Gardens
Instead, birds taunt from the broad tree out back
now aglow in the burnt orange hues of sunset
Frozen in place, in space, I remain
tethered to an uneasy chair
Hiding from rays of healing
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For ABC Wednesday. This, written for the letter D, is about my Big D, Depression. Also for The poem’s imagery comes from Teresa of Razzamadazzle, hosting the prompt at Imaginary Garden With Read Toads. If you’d like to see the images from which this poem arises, please click HERE, as I didn’t have time to write Teresa for permission to reproduce them on my blog… believe me, they are stunning photos. If you’d like to read more of Teresa’s work, try here: Razzamadazzle.
FOR THREE WORD WEDNESDAY:
Empty Nest
A mother nurses her newborn
Emotion wells within me; my aging womb falters
I long to touch the face of my only child
even as she is grown, gone to graze in new pastures
Later, in the night sky
even stars mock me as they glimmerglow,
each seems a crystalline soul out of reach
None will glow within my empty nest.
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Image from Breastfeeding.com. I strongly support moms who nurse their babies in public. We have enough “Wardrobe Malfunctions” on TV; why are folks repulsed by what Mary did for her baby, a ritual as old as time, and always practiced tastefully, lightly covered. I also know some women aren’t lucky enough to experience this bonding, and my heart goes out to them.
For Three Word Wednesday (yeah, I’m running behind on this Monday morning!), giving us the words Emotion, Falter, and Touch. Thanks to Thom at 3WW for hosting this wonderful weekly challenge!
Peace be with you all. Amy
Aug 06, 2012 @ 15:24:10
Amy you captured that sadness and captivity so well–love that phrase “tethered to her uneasy chair” Your midnight writing is stellar
Aug 08, 2012 @ 02:36:44
Thx, Sara… coming to see you!
Aug 06, 2012 @ 15:35:31
i really like the second…there is lots of emotions just underneath it and i def understand the connection between mother and child…my wife tried but could not…that was not illegal back then…smiles.
Aug 08, 2012 @ 02:37:56
I HATE when women are put down because they don’t nurse, for the simple reason that not all women can do it. Sorry your wife couldn’t enjoy that ritual. Thanks, Brian!
Aug 06, 2012 @ 15:58:53
Outstanding. Sunshine – I KNEW there was something I ought to be taking for my depression. Of course, I should be wary of sunburn…
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Aug 08, 2012 @ 19:21:56
“You always burn the one you love…” Mills Brothers, right?
Aug 09, 2012 @ 10:54:44
HA!
Aug 06, 2012 @ 22:45:21
These are both wonderful poems despite the sadness they both convey.
Aug 08, 2012 @ 19:50:37
Teresa, I went to your site and posted a few comments. Hope you like them, because your work shines! Thanks so much, A
Aug 07, 2012 @ 01:53:52
It’s great to step into those healing rays from time to time. Great poems.
Aug 08, 2012 @ 19:51:18
Thanks! Went to your blog (once I realized it was wordpress, I inserted that into the address) and commented there. Love your work! Amy
Aug 07, 2012 @ 03:38:27
Empty nest was so touching .. loved it ..
Aug 07, 2012 @ 09:55:47
beautiful images. And I totally agree with you about breastfeeding in public! Mine are still little and much as I moan about them, i will miss them x
Aug 08, 2012 @ 19:52:53
Mine is almost 25, but I remember the feeling like it was yesterday! Saw a mom nursing at our church and was so happy to be in a congregation where you can breastfeed openly and no one gives you “the look.” I congratulate every publically nursing mom I see, even if it’s just a smile and a thumbs-up. Thanks, Amy
Aug 09, 2012 @ 02:37:46
You must have been a child when you had her! Some thoughts and memories are always fresh in our minds and good for you
x
Aug 07, 2012 @ 10:20:50
This is lovely, Amy, especially the tribute to the nursing mother. You have captured the longing heart so well. I have been fortunate enough to nurse all of my little ones and I couldn’t imagine carrying on without doing so, my heart goes out to the ones who are not able to, also. Thank you for sharing both pieces.
Aug 08, 2012 @ 19:54:59
Having heard from some who were unable, I feel privileged that, back when I was a musician working nights on limited hours, I was able to nurse Riley for her entire first 13 months. But once she started “playing” with it and laughing, I knew she was ready for things like yogurt mixed with filtered water and a drop of maple syrup in a bottle to supplement her solid foods, which I made from scratch…
Aug 09, 2012 @ 00:18:13
Well written both, Amy… the emotional pull of the second is heart-stirring and in your first the remedy is such a simple but true one. Thank you and
’s!
Aug 09, 2012 @ 07:58:43
Depression and sunlight don’t seem to be compatible, do they? Here Comes the Sun! Kate, ABC team.
Aug 09, 2012 @ 11:24:21
Two sad and wistful pieces…..Longing is a draining emotion….
Aug 09, 2012 @ 11:48:09
Loved your last poem, as I nursed all four of my darlings who are now adults. Our youngest was born when we lived in Santa Barbara, by the ocean. The three older children were in school, and Jill and I would go to the beach where I would stick her under my sweat shirt and nurse her…the ocean roaring in the breeze….some of my fondest memories…as a result, she has always love the ocean, and made sure she lived near it. Thanks for the memories.
Aug 09, 2012 @ 23:22:19
A big D for depression. Been there, done that and come through the other side.It’s hard working through it. I praise God for well grounded doctors!
Aug 10, 2012 @ 11:15:11
You have captured how depression feels–darkness that I never want to feel again.
Ann
Aug 10, 2012 @ 17:58:11
frozen in space and tethered to the chair, i wonder if emily dickenson ever felt that way
dark night red light
Aug 10, 2012 @ 19:21:24
I love that line depression hates sunshine. As much as I’m tempted to pull the covers over my head at times, getting out into the light in usually a good idea. Carver, ABC-Wed. Team
Aug 11, 2012 @ 00:46:23
Very nice poem ! I prefer a broken leg to depressions, at least I know what happened to me ! It’s awful when you can’t even enjoy the sunshine anymore !
Aug 11, 2012 @ 14:48:00
Somehow I got way behind reading up on my favorites…Nicely done as always♫♪ Have a great weekend♥