Two poems – I hope both will bring a smile.
ABC Wednesday, brought to you by the letter X, and with a nod to Gary Larson of “The Far Side.”
Instrumentation (haiku)
Welcome to Heaven
Here is your full Steinway Grand
Hell? A xylophone.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Three Word Wednesday words: Bump, Transfix, Knuckle. Odd set of words, but here’s mine!
The Thump
My pregnancy was no mere baby bump.
More like a lump, and a thumper to boot.
Alone in the evening, we
(baby plus me) would sprawl on the bed, shirt lifted up.
A sight to tranfix Mesmer himself,
the balloon-within-a-balloon,
my belly encased her home,
my womb.
I’d poke, she’d kick back.
I’d sing, she’d sway to an internal rhythm.
Her foot would push against the edge of her universe,
like a knuckle bulging inside a glove.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
vivienne Blake
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant: pregnancy brought to life, if you see what I mean.
PS But I quite like xylophones!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for liking the pregnancy one. I can still feel and see that experience after all these years.
And I like xylophones, too, but it was a “find an X word” panic moment!! Amy 🙂
Tilly Bud
I love both of these. I remember my babies thrusting fists and feet at me. Happy (but sometimes painful) days.
beespoetry
The first one made me giggle! (Oh how I want a Steinway! No room or money yet though. Plus I only progressed to just past Chopsticks on piano.)
The second one, The Thump? Wow.
I never really understood the impetus for mommydom, but that’s amazing. Less Alien chest-burster, more rockin’ miracle. Still probably not my thing, but that seems like a wicked cool experience. Maybe I should talk to my mom about how she felt about having my siblings and I renting space in the ol’ uterus. lol!
“I’d poke, she’d kick back./ I’d sing, she’d sway to an internal rhythm.” = awesome. It’s like baby Morse code. Definite communication there.
Sharp Little Pencil
My friend keeps threatening to die and leave me “My” Steinway. I told him if he dies anytime soon, I’ll kill him.
Not every woman is born to procreate. My daughter has no interest, and I told her early on, “Just because you’re my only child does NOT mean you “owe me” grandchildren. If you have a baby, I’ll be first in line to change diapers and help out any way I can, but it’s not a prerequisite of my love for you. Just be happy, you know?” Hope your mom feels the same! It was the coolest experience ever, but labor is a bit of a bitch – although the pain memories disappear. But the stretch marks are tenacious little buggers, LOL. Baby Morse Code – love it! Amy
booguloo
2 A pluses!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Michael! Amy
Roger Green
I have a loathing for the term ‘baby bump’. A LOATHING.
Sharp Little Pencil
Join the club. Whoever thought of that in the tabloids, if male, deserves a pregnancy and strangers coming up to him and patting his belly without permission!! Amy
Altonian
Hi Amy! I like your haiku, it’s very amusing, and true for some people. For me, Lionel Hampton, or Vic Feldman on xylophones would definitely fit into my Heaven.
Forgive me – but I always feel a bit awkward commenting on ‘motherly’ things – it’s just a silly ‘man thing’ I suppose.
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, don’t worry about the “mom things.” We have plenty of women around to take care of them!!
I actually love the xylophone, but, as I explained to Viv, I was doing ABC and X was up…so there you go. And Hamp is my musician of choice as well! Amy
christine
Your haiku was too funny, and the second one, beautiful. That is about the only part of pregnancy I miss, imagine two babies rolling around in the tummy!, I felt like I was invaded by aliens.
Sharp Little Pencil
Christine, twins! Wow. I would have worried they were already hatching pranks to play on me! At least they have company in there, right? Hope your labor was not too hard. Amy
Kim Nelson
I adored your pregnancy poem.. just as I adored being pregnant. So long ago, but precious!
Here’s mine:
http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2011/06/29/another-saturday-night/
Sharp Little Pencil
My “one and only” is 22, almost 23 now, and I also loved being pregnant. I felt so strong, so connected. Thanks for the link… where you lead, I will follow! Amy
ladynimue
Interesting post !! I thought on same lines first but then changed my thoughts .. Though i am not posting anything on blog right now, will some day share it and you will know 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Nimue… sure hope you are posting soon! We all love your work here at Sharp Lil. Take care, honey! Amy
Jae Rose
Do you not like xylophones? They can be cool..but you did make me tsk..both with the thump and the plinkety-plonk..Jae 😉
Sharp Little Pencil
OK, I’m copping to this again… I actually LOVE xylophones. But ABC Weds. had X as the letter and I didn’t want to write about xenophobia (I rant on that enough already), x-rays (they depress me to even think about), and I never saw a single episode of the X Files. So I thought of that cartoon The Far Side, and off we went. (The real lines are: Welcome to Heaven, here’s your harp! And the second panel says, “Welcome to Hell! Here’s your banjo.”) So when Lionel Hampton is swinging the xylophone, I’m all about it!!! Truth! Glad you liked the thump, too! Amy
MiskMask
My poor old brain drew a blank on the letter X, so I’m pleased to see that you did brilliantly with it. But your “Thump” piece is quite special, and it left me wondering if your daughter reads the poems that you write.
Sharp Little Pencil
She does from time to time, and when they are about her, I usually email them. Between balancing art school and working on set design during off weeks, she’s one busy gal! I sympathize on the letter X, and I’ve had to apologize to many for giving the impression I don’t like the xylophone – when well played, I love it!!
Shauna
A wonderful “Ode to Baby”
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Shauna, and nice to see you here at my blog! I will pay you a visit now… Amy
Debbie
They did bring a smile! And I really needed to smile . . .thank you! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Glad to oblige, Debbie. You have also given me smiles and glimpses of faith when I needed them. Amy 😉
mindlovemisery
I fear I am doomed then lol I showed an abnormal proficiency the first time and only time I played it must be an omen!
I love the second one! “The balloon-within-a-balloon” I love that
Are you pregnant now? If so congrats =)
Sharp Little Pencil
I actually love the xylophone – it was the only X word I could think of that made sense to me!! So don’t worry, we’ll be playing double Baby Grands in the hereafter.
Glad you liked the second one… but GOD NO! I’m 54, and my “baby” is now 22! But thanks for thinking I might be. That made me smile, because it means the thoughts were still fresh enough that it seemed like now. I dig that! A
Alice Audrey
I remember watching my kids stretch out my belly. My son once kicked so hard he left a bruise that went all the way to the outside.
Sharp Little Pencil
Future soccer player!! Riley used to kick me in rhythm at my gig. Her favorite was the Ellington medleys, “Mood Indigo” into faster stuff. And she turned out a drummer!
pmwanken
LOL re: the first one! 🙂
And the second one…we seem to have taken the three words in a similar direction! Here’s mine: http://whenwordsescape.wordpress.com/2011/06/29/waiting/
Sharp Little Pencil
I actually love the xylophone. Disclaimer. Needed an X word for ABD!
I’ll take a look at yours – amazing how often we vibe in on each other in these prompts, isn’t it?
Pat Cegan
Both fun poems, Amy. Do you play the piano? Thanks for visiting me, hugs, pat
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Pat. Yes, I do play, jazz piano and I am also a singer. Check out YouTube and search “Amy Barlow Liberatore” to find some live clips! Hope you like them… A.
trisha
this is beautiful. you must have shared your own experience and motherhood is a blessed experience for sure 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Yes, Trisha, it’s true. I was writing from the heart (and belly!) of true motherhood. Even though my “babe” is 22 now, I can still remember how wonderful I felt being pregnant. Thanks for stopping! Amy
Renee Espriu
I like both of these, Amy, and especially the memories of being pregnant with my babies…all grown now with children of their own. Lovely words, really, to describe a time in life like no other.
Sharp Little Pencil
Mine is grown as well, Renee, and you’re right. It’s an untouchable, powerful experience. Makes the poopy diapers and all the rest soooo worth it.
vivinfrance
My previous comment went missing. I actually like zylophones, though I’d prefer a Steinway! But the pregnancy one was right on the button.
Sharp Little Pencil
The comment didn’t go missing, Viv. I was slow in responding. Hot days and grey atmosphere completely shut down my urge to do anything. I do love xylophones but of course would much prefer the baby grand, because I can PLAY that! Re: pregnancy, don’t you mean “right on the BELLY button?” Hee hee. Amy
Ali F
I love your 3WW… I gave birth only 4 months ago and it totally reminded me of just how amazing it was having her squirm around inside!!!!!
Great work 🙂 xxx
Sharp Little Pencil
Congrats on being a new mom. The best is yet to come… and if you get a little of those post-partum blues, don’t worry, just see a counselor short term, or find a support group! It’s quite the life changing experience! Love, Amy
Sheilagh Lee
lovely a wonderful description of pregnancy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Sheilagh. It felt as good as it sounds… but my daughter says, “No way!” I told her long ago that, just because she is my only child, she doesn’t “owe” my grandchildren. But if she decides to have kids, I’ll be first in line for diapering and babysitting! That was a weight off her shoulders, because it’s her choice, as with her whole life, you know?
Bluebell Books
superb,,,you never ease to impress.
Hello: Happy Weekend!
Write anything coming to your mind based on the image we provide for week 5,
Share with us.
Bless you,
Hope to read your entry.
Cheers.
xoxox
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, but I looked and couldn’t figure out what the image was. Care to help me out? Thanks, Amy