Dallying on Writer’s Island is a pursuit every poet should indulge in. This week’s theme, “Improvise.” Yeah, like I’ve never done that! Amy
Fill In The Blank (Writer’s Island, “Improvise”)
So I arrive at my gig, hauling my rig all by myself.
I snag my stocking on a stack of speakers,
speaking in a pitch only a poodle could discern, “!!#*$!!”
Into the Ladies’ cause I don’t wanna start late,
I rummage through the rucksack that
passes for my purse.
On my thigh, one big hole in my black tights…
a dollop of whipped cream on an otherwise
dark-chocolate-frosted plane.
Dredging up a Sharpie, I fill in the blank, then
sketch in the run, the pen climbing
up and down a ladder.
I’ll deal with scrubbing it off tomorrow;
for now, it’s beg, borrow, or steal my way to the mic
with as much dignity as stinky ink can afford me.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
Carl
Embarrassment turned into humor. So fun!
Really clear narrative. Great sense of place and movement.
I’m curious about the triplets. Interesting play of the first lines and last lines against each other. Want to offer any ‘author’s insight’ into the form?
Sharp Little Pencil
There is no intentional format I follow. It’s simply that some thoughts seem to turn out in twos; others, in threes. Guess it’s the hidden math geek in me… my creative side tends to avoid forms and rhyme (I save that for songwriting), but my other-brain enjoys a certain amount of order.
It’s mostly random, and that’s all the insight I can offer! Sorry there’s not more to it than that. I write myself. Thanks, Carl! Amy
Debbie
You are the queen of improvise! Great poem and moment to capture for the prompt! Once, in desperate need of new shoes but not able to get them yet, I ducked taped my black Payless shoes back together and spray painted them black. Wouldn’t you know a reporter for the little local paper came to where I worked that day, and wanted to follow me around. haha!
Sharp Little Pencil
Murphy’s Law, Debbie. And duct tape is very handy stuff for us bargain-basement fashionishtas!
vivinfrance
I roared with laughter at this – truly a terrific improvisation.
Sharp Little Pencil
The best laughs always come from real-life situations, don’t they? Also, the most heart-wrenching poems…
Kim Nelson
Oh My Heck!
I wasn’t a performer, but I remember those days!
– Clear nail polish always on hand to stop the run before it goes too far.
– Cutting the bad legs off pantyhose, then wearing two “single leg” pairs. (Gave extra tummy control too, but back then didn’t eat enough to have a tummy.)
– Black and brown markers to cover shoe scuffs ~ the only two you need since you only own two pair of shoes.
You so cleverly sparked my memories!
Sharp Little Pencil
Kim, sister, once again, proving that you don’t have to be a performer to suffer “performance anxiety,” LOL. Yes, I’ve done the two non-run pantyhose legs, that do nothing much except create a nice little muffin top over your skirt!! And yes, the clear nail polish came in handy. Still does! Thanks, this was very uplifting cpmment! Amy
Kim Nelson
And here’s mine, better late than never, for the Writer’s island prompt:
http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2011/02/28/ize-are-on-you/
Sharp Little Pencil
Commented on your blog – THANKS for sending along the link! Great work! A
Sherry Blue Sky
I love it! I faintly remember, back in the Day of the Dinosaur, when stockings had a seam, or visible line, right up the back of our legs, and we were always bending ourselves into pretzels to straighten the lines……signed, Granny Methuseleh!!!!!
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, my mom told me that, in the 40s, girls used to powder their legs and draw the seam with eyebrow pencil! So do you feel younger now? And I used to wear seamed stockings for some gigs as well. Takes a sense of touch and symmetry, or else I had to ask the GUYS to ogle the back of my legs, and that was fraught with trouble! Ha ha, Amy
RJ Clarken
Amy – you NEVER disappoint! I love how you ‘improvised.’ (And to be honest, I’ve actually done that too – but never with as much elan and panache as you!)
Sharp Little Pencil
Elan? Panache? Are those items on Iain’s brunch menu, LOL
Paul Andrew Russell
This made me smile, Amy. I needed to smile today; thanks. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Smile often, my friend. I can usually be counted on for at least a grin! Amy
christine
Stockings, ugh, I remember the runs, and using clear nail polish to stop them. So glad for pants and business attire.
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, those weren’t OK in show business, though. Not even a Casual Friday, ha ha.
Madeleine Begun Kane
A wonderful improvisation, indeed! I enjoyed that and almost felt like I was living through it.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Madeleine! Glad we’re not living the Charlie Sheen nightmare, right? Saw your blog, commented there!
Mariya Koleva
Oh, Amy, this sure was a great improvisation! I enjoyed the haste and the smartness.
Sharp Little Pencil
Improvisation is but one of the tricks all jazz musicians (especially women) must keep in their bag at all times! Glad you liked it, and it’s a true story. Thanks, Mariya!
Peace, Amy
uponthewingsofnight
In this instance, improvisation is a girl’s best friend. Great read, Amy! Brett