For Poetic Asides’ “Spring” prompt, and for Three Word Wednesday (Dual, Identical, Volley). She was the world’s first superstar, captivating us – whether as a Hollywood home-wrecker, star of one of the biggest box-office losers of all time (Cleopatra, in which she met her match, Richard Burton… so who really lost there?), and finally, fulfilling her promise as a person of influence by becoming one of the world’s most vehement activists in the fight against HIV/AIDS. God rest and keep you, Elizabeth Taylor.
Liz (Farewell)
Young Elizabeth, whose eyes were
dual violet gemstones, capturing the hearts
of a generation: Velvet Brown
astride her beloved racehorse, Pie.
Liz. the National Bitch who stole Eddie Fisher’s heart
from America’s Sweetheart, Debbie Reynolds
Sexy Liz, who married seven times
(including twice to an identical husband, Richard Burton).
Elizabeth Taylor, survivor of disease,
bad press, bad marriages… redeemed by activism;
who threw an early volley at HIV/AIDS,
challenging the world to spring into action.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
christine
Lovely Liz that left apparently 600m to the aids/hiv foundations, or so my son tells me after he read it on the internet. Great tribute to a Hollywood star, the good and the bad.
Sharp Little Pencil
I’ve discovered you don’t often have one without the other. I admit that I took a lot of missteps, hurt a lot of people, have been seen by many as a biznatch – and some still feel that way! You need to break eggs to make a perfect – or even imperfect – omelette! Liz was and always will be a “oner.” No one like her before or likely to come. A
Roger Green
For the record, Taylor told Barbara Walters that she HATED being called Liz.
Sharp Little Pencil
I did not know that!! I do, however, know that Madonna hates being called “Madge.” And that Taylor probably didn’t appreciate being perceived as a bitch! But hey, all the best broads are bitches at some point… myself included. I own it completely! A
Roger Green
I gotta say that you’ve got more moxie than any PW I’ve ever known, and I’ve met quite a few!
Sharp Little Pencil
Gosh, thanks, Roger. Sent you an email re: PW. Amy
Judy Roney
You did such a great job with a difficult prompt. This is so timely and you are right. Liz redeemed herself with her tireless fight against AIDS. This is a wonderful tribute to her.
http://judyidliketosay.blogspot.com/2011/03/identical-dual-volley.html
Sharp Little Pencil
Judy, as always, thanks for leaving a link to your latest work. I loved it.
She had kind of a sloppy personal life, but in the end, she gave her all for “the least” in our society. That is all any of us can do. Folks with AIDS have been rejected, reviled, misunderstood, and neglected by the medical field for over 25 years now… We have lost a giant in the cause. Amy
tracey
Bravo! Bravo! Very clever use of the words.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Tracey. She truly was beyond description, but I tried! Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
A nice tribute for a woman who definitely lived her life fully. I especially love “redeemed by her activism”…….yes!
Sharp Little Pencil
We all have to travel the valley before we reach the mountaintop, right? A
Debbie
Thank you for this farewell poem to Liz. You always amaze me at how you work in the words. 🙂
Mammalicious
Nice poetry on Liz. Thanks for sharing.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for coming by, Mamma! Just Jumped to your blog and Joyful poem was there. Jumpin’ Jiminy! Ha ha, Amy
Jae Rose
She had many faces (literally perhaps at times)…it’s a shame how she became portrayed..and all too easy to forget the things she achieved as a woman..a fitting tribute..Jae 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Jae. Like I said before, not sure if she would have appreciated being referred to as a ‘bitch,’ but all strong women worth their salt are called that at one time or another. It simply means a woman having the power of a man… and boy, did she have the “eggs” to take on the world!!
ladynimue
Apt dedication ! well written 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, nice to hear that from a real Lady! A
Sheilagh Lee
A lovely tribute to lovely Liz!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Sheilagh. I really didn’t like her that much growing up; guess it took time and my own travails to truly appreciate all she was. And is. Amy
trisha
beautiful tribute to an outstanding actress. may her soul rest in peace.
trisha
http://sharmishthabasu.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/identical-yet-dual-for-3ww-n-truth-peace-24-3-11/
Sharp Little Pencil
Trisha, thanks for stopping by and leaving a lovely comment. She is finally at peace, after a long life that read like The Odyssey. Thanks also for the link – always welcome! Amy
Old Egg
Elizabeth Taylor has been a part of my life for many years. As a pre-teen I fell in love with her in National Velvet and hated all the men she married even Richard Burton because somehow she hadn’t noticed me! It saddened me to see her fat and blousy in her dissipated years but I was so proud of her when she fought so hard to educate and support AIDs victims. It will be a long time before we see her equal again. Thanks for your tribute.
Sharp Little Pencil
I agree, Robin. She went through heaven, hell, and everywhere in between – between bad choices and failing health – and ended up using the last of her time on earth doing good things. She learned a lot from Audrey Hepburn in that regard, I believe. Thanks, Rob, I’ll check out your blog now! A