Sometimes you get a prompt from a blog… sometimes from the moon above. Peace to you all, Amy
THE LONGEST NIGHT
Solstice birthed a full moon
A bulging butternut squash
cleaved open to reveal pale orange flesh
No bleak midwinter’s night, this
My world illuminated by moonbeams
peeking through slits of hastily closed drapes
The moon reminds me of life
Life waiting its turn under downy blankets of snow
Life in stars half hidden by a light cloud cover
Life behind facades of houses on Main
as I make my way back from the market
where bored cashiers wish me “Happy Holidays”
Life beyond this Moon and beneath it
To be lived gratefully, audaciously, fully
with a child’s abandon and faith in tomorrow
(c) 2010 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
pamela
This is so pretty Amy.
Nicely written.
Pamela
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Pamelita – Felicidades!
Sherry Blue Sky
Okay, this is my favourite one of yours so far, Amy. I LOVE it…love the description of the moon, “no bleak midwinter night”, the moon being like life, “waiting its turn” and “half hidden”…….and especially, “Life….to be lived gratefully” with abandon and faith in tomorrow. You share my philosophy and have written it so beautifully here………good one, friend.
Sharp Little Pencil
I was just about to fall asleep, Sherry, and I looked out the window, remembering the moon I had seen on the trudge home from the grocery. It all hit me in a flash, and other an a couple of next-day touchups, it’s pretty much as scribbled on my pad. You know, there is a song that prompted the last line. I’ll email a link to you.
Bless you, Sherry, and all you hold dear. You are a continual source of inspiration to me and to many. (The “no bleak midwinter night” is, of course, derived from the old carol, “In The Bleak Midwinter,” and I have a recording of James Taylor singing it, the best version I’ve ever heard. I found the CD for 5 bucks and it’s going in Lex’s stocking tonight!)
Debbie
Reading your comments and how you are inspired and write amazes me and makes me grateful and smiley! What an artist you are! Thank you for this exciting look at the moon! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, Debbie, it was hanging like a pinata. (Sorry, this won’t do tildes for me!) An inspiration straight from God. And the frost is still growing new ferns on my window, too!
Happy New Year, and a great rest of your 12 days of Christmas! Amy
ram0ram
dear and divine…. harp little angel…. moon is life… beautiful poem…
love all…
Sharp Little Pencil
Ram. blessings to you and your kind words! Peace, Amy