Three Word Wednesday gave us Gag, Maintain, and Omit. Also at Poets United, my poetic community of friends. Peace, Amy
Who’s Crying Now?
The only way he could shut her up
was to gag her with a bandana.
The only way he could maintain control
was to try tying her to a chair
The only mistake he made was to omit
searching her pockets for pepper spray.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
Debbie
love it! I read the words first and thought “tough one”. But then I read your poem and thought, not for Amy! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Debbie, you are so wise. It’s a situation that happens to women all the time, but unfortunately most are not able to defend themselves…
Rajesh
Wonderful composition.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, my friend! Peace, Amy
Becca Givens
I’d say “oops” for him … cleverly composed!! Thank you for visiting!
Sharp Little Pencil
I wouldn’t even waste an “oops” on him!!! Hooray for the woman who is prepared… I’ll be back to see you, Becca! Amy
vivinfrance
Nice one, Amy. I like “the biter bitten” kind of stories.
Sharp Little Pencil
So do I, Viv. And that guy sure had it coming…
penpusherpen
good one, Amy…. and good for her, pepper spray at the ready? Spray!! Hopefully the knots are easy to untie. and escape is as hand.
Many thanks for dropping by Amy, and for your comment… much appreciated. xPenx
Sharp Little Pencil
Not so easy for many women, eh? I think I was writing this one in honor (and memory) of all those women who didn’t have the resource at hand…
Thanks, too, Pen. Will visit you! Amy
Laurie Kolp
Amy- What a woman… you go girl!
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, sometimes it has to be said… Right?
miskmask
Very unsettling and dark. Gave me shivers.
Sharp Little Pencil
Me too, to tell the truth. I felt relieved that she got out of it.
Alice Audrey
She got him? Yes!!! My kind of story.
James Steerforth
Obviously not a match made in heaven but with pepper spray. Based on a true story?
Sharp Little Pencil
Not specifically. Actually, written in honor of (and in memory of) every woman who didn’t have the chance to defend herself… you know what I mean?
Kari Fay
Heh, short and… painful, probably! Well written!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for stopping by, Kari! And thanks for the comment… you are one wry woman. Amy
pmwanken
Good one, Amy! Love the use of the 3 words…and: good title!
Here’s mine: http://whenwordsescape.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/virtual-transformation/
~Paula
Sharp Little Pencil
Well, I stole the title from an old song, but it ends with, “Hooray and hallelujah, you had it coming to ya…” So it’s sort of apt. Thanks, Paula, heading over now! Amy
Altonian
I like it, I like it! BIG MISTAKE! Did you know that Mace, and pepper spray, as a defence for women (and men I suppose) are banned for private use, in Sweden?
Sharp Little Pencil
Well, that stinks. And I was all ready to move to Sweden. Curses, foiled again!
Jae Rose
Ooh a stinger of an ending..yet again a ‘go girl’ moment..how is your song coming along from last week? Jae
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for the mention on the poem. That song needs a lot of work, because I cannot decide where the couple is going…. to a happy marriage (I’m a bit jaded on meeting young and mating for life, since I was divorced and so is my Lex), or perhaps some turmoil that brings them together… I don’t know if it will ever be complete, or if it will hang there like an unfinished bit of crocheting…
mindlovemisery
Awesome and darkly funny
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for catching the irony. Thanks also for visiting – I’ll head over and see what’s going on with you! Amy
beespoetry
In my neck of the woods, carrying pepper spray in your purse is a concealed weapon, and you can get nailed pretty badly for it. So, around here, a good alternative is a small can of aerosol hairspray. Hurts just as much if you get ’em in the eyes, and heck, it’s good to have in case of flyaway hairs.
Good for your protagonist! Victim, schmictim. If there’s a will, there’s a way, am I right?
Sharp Little Pencil
Amen to that, sister. I heard from someone else it’s also illegal in Sweden. Hell, I just walk the darker streets with my keys projecting from between my fingers like a weapon. It works. It has to, sometimes…
beespoetry
Yep, that’d work just as well. So long as you know how to punch without hurting yourself, it’s all good! As the self-defense classes always stress, hit ’em as hard and fast as you can, and then run!
Sharp Little Pencil
Holding keys in your fingers like a weapon helps, as does shoving the heel of your hand into the bottom of their nose. Forget trying to knee them – they’re onto that trick…
Chamz
He just did an epic…fail! LOL nice one, Dear!:)
Sharp Little Pencil
Ha, nice line, Chamz!! I’ll bop over and see what you’re up t o! Amy
dreamingthruthetwilight
We need more of them gutsy gals around. May the tribe increase:-)
Sharp Little Pencil
Amen, sister!
ms pie
it is good to read a powerful statement of living instead of dying….
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for that acknowledgment, Pie, especially because it is so often not the case. Peace, Amy
Sheilagh Lee
good for her. love this .
Sharp Little Pencil
I thought you would like this concept! Thanks, S. Amy
4joy
Maybe he was too chivalrous to search her! Altho I guess tying and gagging is pretty invasive! great humor – I loved it
Sharp Little Pencil
Revenge is best served… any way you can get it! Thanks, J. Peace, Amy