Three Word Wednesday prompted us with: Cease, Heat, and Nasty. A million ways you can go with that, but I was reminded of those punishing Manhattan summers. Thom G, thinking of you and my other NYC friends now.
This is also at our poetry collective, Poets United, which (if you scroll down to the second article) has an interview with… MOI! I was so honored. Thanks again, Sherry Blue Sky, for tapping into my brain. A brave chore, that! Amy
City Summer
City sidewalks
drink in summer heat
absorbing as through pores and
releasing a scalded, nasty smell:
Part spilled lattes
Parts updraft of subway tracks, their litter and rats
Part dog who missed the tree
Part dog owner who didn’t bring a plastic bag
Part bare feet of the homeless,
never to cease their quest for
the shelter of a bit of shade
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
christine
Never been to NYK, but I can relate to the smells and sights of summer and how powerful they can be.
Sharp Little Pencil
Really, it’s any big city, I reckon, as long as there are enough diesel fumes and dog poop!! Thanks, Christine, for stopping by! Always nice to link back to you. Amy
vivinfrance
Amy, this is a strong evocation of a world far from mine. I could see and feel the whole poem. Congrats on the interview.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks on both counts, Viv. Here in Madison, it’s a much smaller city than New York, but I can still taste the stale air of NYC in the summer… Here, even though it may be hot, it’s clean air and swept streets and smiling folks… very accepting of all, from hippies to homeless to professionals to students.
vivinfrance
Amy, this is a strong evocation of a world far from mine. I could see and feel the whole poem. Congrats on the interview, which I’ve just read – what a full life you have led. I just went back to listen to Tioga Moon again – wonderful.
Sharp Little Pencil
Aw, Viv, now I’m blushing! Sorry it took me so long to catch up to your previous comment. Thanks for the interview comment… Sherry Blue Sky did a wonderful job of crafting questions that would get the most out of me. Thanks! Amy
mindlovemisery
I love this really creates a full visual of city life. Brilliant =)
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much. I just added your blog to my Hall of Shame, er, I mean Fame!! Really love your style, and so your compliment is much appreciated. Peace, Amy
Old Egg
Oh,you paint the city in such an ugly way. Do you really think that or are just you just a little tetchy today? Cities in summer are all of those things and I can picture each of your scenes so well as well as the shimmering heat, the sweating brows and dropped ice creams and people on the street cross to be there rather than in an air conditioned room. In our comparatively cold winter I could bear that now!
Sharp Little Pencil
Robin, to be honest, I’ve written so many love letters to NYC it’s almost “get a room, guys!” time. But these past few sweltering days, even here in relatively cool Wisconsin, brought some old sights (and smells) back into the Memory Vortex! You’re right, though – it’s a balance of both! Peace, Amy
Old Raven
You are right … this is a challenging prompt one that you did masterfully!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Raven. I did love this prompt – once I figured out what to do with it!! Peace, Amy
booguloo
You describe it very well. I envy you; being next to a oil refinery and water front shipping docks.
Sharp Little Pencil
Well, not any more. Now I live in Madison, which means more temperate weather, less stress, and lovely outdoor cafes on a 6-block pedestrian mall. A couple of folks have (rightly) taken me to task for painting such a bleak picture of NYC, but I’ve also written “love letters,” so hopefully this will balance out the blushers. Peace, Amy
Laurie Kolp
Amy~ A vivid and stimulating piece. I can almost smell it…
I especially like the first stanza.
Sharp Little Pencil
Laurie, thank you so much. I do find that a strong first and last stanza are the tickets to memorable poems. Just wish I could get both in every one, LOL! Going over to read you now… Amy
Jae Rose
We all think of summer as bright and sunny..days when darkness shouldn’t hit you..but it does..sometimes it lights up the things we’re not supposed to see..people who shouldn’t be seen..Jae (well done on the interview too!)
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s so true, Jae, and a couple of folks pointed out that NYC is so much more. But I think I’ve done plenty of positive posts on the beauty of the city… and frankly, sweating in the A/C writing during our heat wave (which blessedly just broke) was my point of inspiration. Those smells… they never leave you, right?!
And thanks about the interview. Didn’t Sherry pose exactly the right questions for rowdy little me? She really worked hard on it. Peace, Amy
Tilly Bud
Congrats on your interview! Going to ceck it out now.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Linda! Appreciate the note. Amy
Kim Nelson
I had a heck of a time with these prompt words… gave up in fact. Reading your smart write has given me impetus to give it another go.
Sharp Little Pencil
Now THAT’S a compliment! Thanks, Kim. I’ll run over and see what you came up with. Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
I so love your socially aware poetry, Amy. You inspire!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Sherry, Mixing it up helps keep me on my toes. I try hard not to rant these days, but Gov. Walker and the continued Middle East bucks-down-the-toilet and kids dying don’t make it easy… A
Kim Nelson
Okay…
I came back to tell you I gave it a go…
http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2011/07/09/altered-reverie/
Sharp Little Pencil
That’s what I’m talking about. Left a long comment on your blog. Brava, girl! Amy
Nico
Amy, I’ve read your poems for a while now but haven’t gotten around to commenting, to my shame. This poem is stunningly good, wedding the senses and social awareness perfectly.
Sharp Little Pencil
So glad you commented, because the first poets I visit are those who comment here; then, I go back to prompts, etc. Thanks so much for the compliment, Nico. See you at Fiddlefarting, great name! Amy
Debbie
Another wonderful use of the words, creating a poem that is so full of imagery it puts you there! Thank you!
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, Debbie, thanks a lot! You could not pay me to move back to NYC, but an occasional visit, maybe…
Mama Zen
Ugh! This is so well written I can smell it!
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, Mama, I’m all about the visceral poetry!! Thanks, Amy
Daydreamertoo
And, that is exactly what it’s like, too. A good write!
Sharp Little Pencil
Interesting… do you like in NYC now? My sojourn was years ago, but I can still smell the diesel… Thanks for stopping; I’ll come over and see your blog now! Peace, Amy