First, SORRY if I have not responded to your comments these past few days. Our daughter is visiting and that’s a lot of giggling, soul-searching, cafe and/or bar time out of my day!! I promise to catch up soon, so please know, if you’re offended, hey – so is everyone else!
Therefore, I offer/proffer a TWOFER! First for Poetic Asides (“don’t start that again”); the other, for ABC Wednesday (brought to you by the letter “U”). And, of course, at Poets United, my heart. Love and peace, Amy
First, Poetic Asides:
Don’t Start Doing That Again
Think first.
Remember.
Exhalations to renovate reality.
Perforations to perceive perfection.
Condemnations from family, friends.
Intimidations from drug dealers
Remember.
Think first.
It ain’t worth it.
Run.
Fast, baby,
run as fast as you can
to your NA meeting.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
PS to all: Thank God I never succumbed to the needle. It would have been the end of me, for sure.
___________________________________________________________
Second: The letter “U”, ABC Wednesday
Ugly Duckling
Under mirror scrutiny,
every flaw uncovered.
Ubiquitous plague of teens
(zits), seem unique to her.
Up and down university steps,
unaware how her ass undulates
as underclassmen (and women)
ache to uncover what lies beneath.
Unable to see her utmost beauty:
Her undercover laugh, her catlike grin,
her undeniable, ironic humor.
Now, an ugly duckling…
Ultimately, she will become a swan.
© 2010 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
Roger Green
I always think of Charlie Brown talking about his Xmas tree: “It’s not such a bad little tree.”
Sharp Little Pencil
I love that tree. Had one just like it in Manhattan!
Wanda
You are so talented, and that sharp little pencil works very hard.
Sharp Little Pencil
Wanda! Thanks so much for this! I will stop by your page as well… Peace, Amy
Molokai Girl (Paula Scott)
Sharp pencil. Sharp mind. Sharp words. Love it.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Paula! Really appreciate the “sharp” comment! Amy
vivienne Blake
I hope you’re having a great time with your daughter. Two contrasting poems, the first a powerful warning, and the second showing well a mother’s love and understanding.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for noting the contrast, Viv. We are having a lot of fun, and Riley has been out with Lex for coffee a couple of times, too, which is nice for them… A
Sharp Little Pencil
It takes a wise person who listens to a wise practitioner to achieve this. Congratulations, and I hope you can kick that tobacco someday. My mom spent the last week of her life craving a cig and she was in hospital, where they would not even administer a patch. Horrible for her.
I love your blog, Leigh! Amy
Sharp Little Pencil
You are right on the money, as usual, Linda!
Sharp Little Pencil
Pass it on with my blessing, Alice!
Sharp Little Pencil
So true. Thanks for dropping in – I’m going to see what’s up in your blogosphere!
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s my prayer that Riley see her beauty. Thanks, honey. A
Dick
A wonderful pair, Amy. Prompts well worked!
Sharp Little Pencil
WOW! Dick thinks I have a wonderful pair. Who told you? LOL.
Thanks for the compliment, friend. Will come over to your side and see what’s up! A
Madeleine Begun Kane
What an excellent pair of poems!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Mad. You are so prolific, I take the compliment all the more seriously! Amy
Renee Espriu
I love them both, Any, especially the Ugly Duckling. I have a 15hr old granddaughter who is
in the throws of puberty and also (does have some underlying health issues) and had been
very sad of late but I have told her that the positive is that everything will change, always does, and I got a smile out of yesterday. Teens are something. Appreciate your take on it. Lovely!
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, Renee, my heart breaks for all our beautiful young women who look at the TV or whatever and say, “I’m a loser because I don’t look like that,” or who compare their families’ income to those of their richer friends. As the anti-bullying campaign for gay teens says, “It DOES get better.” That can apply to straight kids too. Riley had her problems, still has, but she sees me going through mine and coming out OK. Glad she has a supportive grandma like you, Renee. Amy
Susan Helene Gottfried
Yikes. This is some very pointed poetry. The second one, especially, reveals such deep, searing insecurities. Gorgeously done!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much, Susan. I have known so many ugly ducklings who did indeed emerge as swans. Late bloomers… Amy