… at least I hope I won’t! Voices are for pleading the cause of justice. And for singing! Thanks to Three Word Wednesday for the prompt: Abrasive, Loss, Handful
I’LL NEVER LOSE MY ABRASIVENESS
She’s always been a handful, that Barlow girl
Opinions up the wazoo
and a mouth on her, too
Not the type you’d ever want to curl
up next to for quiet talk
She’s one to squawk
about injustice, poverty, and greed
She never stops
She never drops
the subject, will never heed
warnings from friends
that this stuff ends
with FBI files, a permanent docket
She says what they can bite
if they have the appetite
Her heart is a silver locket
filled with blood and heaven
Film at eleven
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
booguloo
Must have been hard on you not wording things out during your move.. The words are tumbling forth with a lot of energy!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, babe! EVERYTHING in my entire LIFE is tumbling forth, so I suppose the words will do the same. I was scribbling here and there during move “break moments.” Having the TV and Net cut off early turned out to be a wise move… left more time for thinking!
Thanks again for stopping by; will stop by yours, too! I’M BAAAAACK! ha ha Amy
Debbie
Amy . . .you wow me! 🙂 So glad there is a you in this world! Thank you for sharing this!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Debbie. I may rankle some folks with my political and religious views, but I was taught by my civil rights activist mom to speak out and speak up. She said being born white, straight, and Christian in this country gave me inroads others did not have, and with that came responsibility. I’d rather be thought a crank than an ostrich! I know you have strong opinions, too, but you put them across with such grace. That’s a knack I do not possess, but that’s why there are so many poets. Dickinsen and Bukowski, right?
poetcolette
hey GF, just noticed above in one of your replies, ‘Dickinsen’ should be “Dickinson,” unless, of course, it’s some other poet I’d not heard of yet… 😉
Sharp Little Pencil
No, you are right. There is only one Ammily Dickinsun. LOL. Typos R us!
Good to hear from you – will trip by your blog, too! Love, Amy
Old Egg
Now I understand the “sharp” bit. I don’t know about the little pencil it ‘s more like sword. This is not criticism of course merely admiration of your determination. The poem had a good rhythm going. Well done.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Rob! Yes indeed, I thought long and hard about naming this blog! I’ve always been the speak-up, speak-out type, and in many situations have gotten myself thrown out of a party because… oh… I would attend a gathering that happened to be all white folks and someone confidently used a racial epithet. I’d say, “Excuse me, we are all human beings…”
But the best part was your comment about the rhythm. I appreciate that because I love your work, so thanks! Old Ame
Kim Nelson
Abrasiveness, courage, gumption, fearlessness… how wonderful to have always had it!
Sharp Little Pencil
For a few years, I was in a mismatched relationship in which my opinions didn’t count. Was dealing with low self-esteem… finally found my voice again, and now I think there are many elected officials who wish I would shut up! Can’t wait to get involved in Wisconsin politics, as I live in progressive Madison and the rest of the state has… spent a bit too much time by the pool without sunblock (turning red, and that will lead to embarrassment as well…). So I treasure attitude, and you have it to spare, as well! A
Jae Rose
ooh just love that – ‘ her heart is a silver locket filled with blood and heaven’..I hope she never shuts up..Jae 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Jae, thank you so much for visiting and commenting. And as far as hoping she never shuts up, I have it on good authority (namely, myself) that I never will! And yes, it gets me in trouble sometimes, but it’s still worth it. Peace, Amy
RJ Clarken
Amy – that is such a brilliant self-portrait! I loved the line, “…She says what they can bite/if they have the appetite…” Somehow, I really can imagine you saying this – and more! ☼
Sharp Little Pencil
RJ, you know me so well!
ladynimue
a strong voice in here !
Admiration for the girl being talked of here 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Lady, you already know me so well! Hey, no one picked up on my misspelling of “appetite”! Critiques welcome, folks!
We all have strong voices, especially us women – too bad the powers that be don’t need us in most cases… Peace, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
FANTASTIC poem – and statement!:) I so love every word! Rock on, Amy!!! I love the final lines especially.
Sharp Little Pencil
Lex just showed up to take me out to lunch, and I read it to him. He agreed with your assessment of the final lines!! Serendipitous timing, no?
And you are a rowdy pot-stirrer yourself, Sherry. You simply do it more gracefully! Peace, Amy
Sheilagh Lee
wow amazing how you strung that all together.I really like this.
Sharp Little Pencil
Hon, you’d be surprised how complicated the stringing together of my brain actually is, ha ha ha. Kind of like a ball of yarn AFTER the kitten got hold of it!
Thanks so much for the compliment – I’ll visit your site now!
Peace, Amy
timkeen40
The pen (pencil) is truly mightier than the sword.
Loved it!
http://timkeen40.wordpress.com
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Tim. I will visit your blog right away! (And truth be told, I switched to writing in pen last year… but the name still stands!!) Amy
JanePoet ~ deborah
Keep speaking your voice! Great poem 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Stopped by yours as well. Loved the quotes along with the great writing. Peace, Amy
Jamboree In The Hills
Awesome post. Do you mind if I ask what your source is for this information?
Sharp Little Pencil
My own life. Really! Peace, Amy
poetcolette
We love you anyway! Hee hee!
My hubby used to call my brother ‘abrasive.’ He was bipolar and ended up killing himself. You take care of yourself better than he did though.
In the end, I suppose we are all abrasive, from time to time.
Sharp Little Pencil
We are all abrasive occasionally, it’s true – but some of us are so infrequent that it gets a pass. Then there are the true cynics, who get ignored.
The third category, the unmedicated or self-medicating, chemically imbalanced person, has that abrasiveness and folks avoid them. I’m medicated, self-care and all, and try to make my abrasive tendencies work for the betterment of others. But I’m still a pain in the ass! At least I own it! ❤ A
Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator
This has a nice rap too it–and a great rhyme scheme!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for the comments, Gwendolyn – traveled over to your site as well, so look for me there! Peace, Amy
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uponthewingsofnight
This poem is almost like a mission statement for your life. Never stop being you, Amy! Brett