The Poets United prompt was Loneliness. This was my take on it. Peace, Amy
In My Solitude
He’s gone out the door for yet another
long, dour weekend with his mother
I am left to my own devices
TV never quite suffices
Hating the quiet, the isolation
I head out for café consolation
Alone in a crowd, it’s win, win again
Just me and my journal, my mind and my pen
Could call up some friends and do a flick
Then toast and get toasted until I’m sick
But I decide not to pick up the phone
The comfort: Control is mine alone
I hear music vaguely beguiling my mind
See dancing figures upon the blind
Phrases now pop up from deep recesses
These help assuage any “home alone” stresses
And with synesthesia, quick movement of eyes
Creates haunting noises that always surprise
I pray, I eat takeout, and sure, I do miss him
But sometimes a girl needs a break on a whim
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
(Synesthesia affects me this way: When I move my eyes side to side, there follows a tracking, sort of metallic noise, not unlike the Six Million Dollar Man jumping sound. Sorry, it’s a US TV reference, my out of country friends!
Sharp Little Pencil 
Kim Nelson
Sometimes that solitude is an absolute gift. I really like the statement “Control is mine alone.”
Another terrific piece, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, Kim. For many years – too many to count, I had very little control over my life, so that line is dear to me! Glad you homed in on it. A
booguloo
That’s one of the “symptoms” I enjoyed most from my experience with LSD and Shrooms, but now I just love my caffeine. Even stopped smoking on Independence day!
Loved the poem and you know I enjoy my solitude for the most part… smiles… Thanks for sharing.
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, you quit smoking? Congrats. Keep on the path. My mom’s last hospitalization, all she wanted was the one thing she could not have: a cig. It’s NEVER too late to quit. Poor woman was in crisis AND going through withdrawal.
Funny, the synesthesia comes from the combination of drugs I’m on for my manic depression and PTSD. But I seem to remember… you bad boy, you always make me remember “Amy: The Lost Years” (now available on Blu-Ray from K-Tel…) But yes, I enjoy my alone time. LIke now, sitting in front of the computer with Lex fast asleep in the other room. Thanks, hon. Amy
vivienne Blake
An entertaining take on solitude – which I too enjoy in smallish doses. Synasthesia sounds most disconcerting.
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s actually kind of fun if you choose to embrace it. Like so many of my disorders, and the offshoots of effects (such as synaesthesia), I must choose to embrace them and see what fruit their crooked little trees will bear. Also, the solitude is valuable because I can examine so much more when I’m by myself… Thanks, Viv! Amy
Tilly Bud
Don’t worry, we were all in love with Lee Majors! It was one of the most popular shows in the UK.
A sad yet empowering poem.
Sharp Little Pencil
You know, Linda, that’s how I felt when I wrote it. Sad, yet empowered. I guess it’s part and parcel of being manic depressive, depending on the day, the weather, the adrenalin available. And glad you all loved Lee Majors, that’s really funny! Me, I never liked the blond boys… ha ha Amy
MiskMask
I didn’t know that this phenomenon was called synesthesia! It’s a fascinating condition. Your poem is equally fascinating, too.
Sharp Little Pencil
Yes, it’s any combination of senses in which one triggers a “wrong” reaction from another. One friend has had it his whole life – he hears different notes and even keys of music in color. Ab is burgundy, while if you play a single Db on the piano, he will say, “orange.” Mine is a side effect, though. Plus there was that tricky period called, “Amy: The Lost Years,” in which all sorts of stuff happened, LOL, like talking to frogs and getting answers back, and hearing descending strings with every star…
Jae Rose
‘cafe consolation’ – ever thought of opening up a chain of coffee shop for us solitary bloggers..table..one chair and an internet point..I hope she resigns herself to some alone time..knowing you could be with someone else is perhaps more uncomfortable than knowing you will always be alone..Jae
Sharp Little Pencil
Jae, I never thought of it that way – in fact, I see choosing to be alone, knowing someone is waiting for you, to be much more comforting than permanent solitude. Yet, I can see where you are coming from – the permanent state of “alone” is, at least, solid, real, and rational.
As far as the chain of coffee shops, it would be great, and we’d all go broke because we’d nurse the same coffee for hours!!!! LOL Amy
Susannah
Nicely done, I enjoyed this Amy.
“Hating the quiet, the isolation
I head out for café consolation
Alone in a crowd, it’s win, win again
Just me and my journal, my mind and my pen”
Love the rhyme here and how it sounds spoken aloud. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Again, Susannah, you are my kind of poet AND reader. I always read aloud, it’s like guilt-free chocolate! I confess I had to work hard to get the rhythms right, so I’m glad you appreciated them. Peace, Amy
becca givens
When Ray has to travel and such, I love my “me” time … ahhhh! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
I know what you mean. And homecomings are great, too!
Madeleine Begun Kane
NIce one! I love the sound and sense of “café consolation.”
Sharp Little Pencil
That alliteration almost fell out of my brain onto the page. Thanks for noticing! Amy
dreamingthruthetwilight
I can’t stop marvelling at the way you have struggled with so many things that would have kept you down forever. What a great fighter you are Amy. Love you loads:-0
Sharp Little Pencil
Nadira, I was just on your blog and read about “the music.” It was very moving. All our struggles are worth it – the dark times help me appreciate the clouds breaking (I know that sounds corny, but it’s a pretty accurate description of manic depression). And yes, I am a fighter, but mostly for other people who aren’t as lucky as I am, to understand what my problems are and how to deal with them. Love you too, Nadira! Amy