For ABC Wednesday, brought to you by the letter “A as in Amy.” There were two of us on State Street today, plus a Michael and an Alex (who is probably muttering, “A is for Alex, guys”). Also posted at my fave poetry saloon, er, salon, Poets United.
After All
Old friends, long time since last
we shared a table in a café
We talk old days, school,
kids when they were anecdotal fodder
Then politics, the dumbing down of America
The Hemlock Party and educating barbarians
Unions, pros and cons
Dems, Reps, Libs, and Cons
The future… they visited Glacier Park
and saw mostly wildflowers and a bit of ice
But after all our kvetching and laughter, it ends in this:
GROUP HUG!
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
vivienne Blake
What a great time you had. I`m glad for you.
Sharp Little Pencil
Ah, yes, seeing old friends, especially when they take the trouble to come to MY town (it’s usually the other way around) is bliss. Add coffee and chocolate cake, and it’s heaven! Thanks, VIv. Peace, Amy
Roger Green
I have a niece named Alex, who is currently going out with a guy named Alex.
We call him male Alex, ’cause we knew her first.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Sharp Little Pencil
Ha, my husband’s name is Alexander, but we call him Lex; our friends Mike and Amy (called Amy Jo) came to town with their son Alexander, called Alex. So not too much confusion.
My old friend Jack Martin, music teacher at Vestal High, named his son Charlie after the family dog! When his wife called, “Charlie!” they both came running. Amy
Jane
I’ve been in that group (in a different country….but the same group!!).
Thanks for visiting. If the book didn’t appeal, try Master and Commander the movie. It’s bit ‘gung ho’ but you won’t have to worry about nautical terms!
Jane x
Sharp Little Pencil
I actually DID try the movie. The Galapagos Islands were presented in much grandeur, so I found it much more satisfying. Having the doctor on board, like Watson to the captain’s Holmes, worked for me pretty well. Thanks!
Poets United
Nice piece – your images pop, as usual…A is for Amy – for sure!
Sharp Little Pencil
Aw, thanks, guys! A is also for what my sister calls me when we talk politics. It ends with “hole,” LOL!!
Daydreamertoo
A lovely meeting then group hugs, can’t be bad 😉
Sharp Little Pencil
Not a single bad moment, except when I spilled my coffee (as always) on my white shirt. You can dress me up…!
Kim Nelson
That’s the best way to end… the meeting and this piece. Peace, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Kim. It followed our entire afternoon, ending with the hug. I tell you, some afternoons are perfection, thank God! Peace, my friend, Amy
Bev
What a lovelypoem! Great way to celebrat A! Looking forward to reading more of your poems!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Bev, for stopping by and for the kind words. I’ll hop on over to bunnysgirl and see what’s up! Peace, Amy
liv2write2day
Big Smile, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Live! 🙂 Amy
RJ Clarken
I just adore your kvetching and your group hug! ☼
Sharp Little Pencil
Knew you’d get the “kvetching” part, and yeah, I’m BIG on group hugs! Thanks, RJ, nice to see you here! 😉 Amy
becca givens
But after all our kvetching and laughter, it ends in this:
GROUP HUG!
The best way!! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Amen, sister! Someday some of us will meet up and do the same! Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Oh what a fun evening. Yikes about Glacier Park……….I remember my awe traveling through it and seeing the huge glaciers hanging there – years ago.
Sharp Little Pencil
They aren’t there anymore. Global climate change (oh, that’s right, Sarah Palin says it’s a myth. Of course, she also shoots moose with semi-automatics from helicopters) has decimated the park. It’s a damned shame more members of Congress don’t pay attention. But if it’s not in their back yard…
contemplativemoorings
Wish America as a whole could work like that…
Sharp Little Pencil
From your keyboard to God’s IPad!
christine
Sounds fun, good to have friends.
Sharp Little Pencil
They are the best sort – entertaining, minds like steel traps, great senses of humor, and an all-around good couple with a savvy, politically aware son. We fit together like lost pieces of a puzzle! Thanks, Christine! Peace, Amy
Renee Espriu
After all said and done, in the end it is a ‘Group Hug’. Love this, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
The only way I ever want reunions to end… or first meetings, for that matter! I come from a huggin’ family, despite the dysfunction. It’s the musician in me. We’re all family. Thanks, Renee! Amy
Joe Hesch
Sounds like such an uplifting experience, written “hot,” shortly after it occurred so it will always feel fresh in your mind’s eye. Thanks, Amy. Living/working in a state capital has its own peculiar ups and downs, doesn’t it?
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh yes, especially Madison! We were not here two weeks before we were carrying pro-union protest signs to the Capitol Dome. Now working for the recall of the anti-labor governor, Scott “The Koch Bros. are my buddies” Walker!
Most of my material is written, as you say, “hot.” I never write for ABC Wednesday in advance and save it for the appropriate letter. I have a bag of scraps of paper with thoughts on them, and occasionally dip into that. But given my LGBT activism, mental health issues, and other “stuff,” there’s plenty of material just under my little bonnet most of the time! Thanks for stopping, Joe – coming to see you now! Amy
brian
smiles. cool to run into old frends like that…it stirs stories you might have forgotten, it is just great to see them…warm poem…
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Brian. Warm does not begin to describe our time together… and yes, stories forgotten get dusted off and properly remembered! I appreciate your words. Peace, Amy
Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio
Yes-group hug! Even if opinions differ, they can be shared if both are open to listening. And the sweets make it all the sweeter in this reconnection.
Sharp Little Pencil
And fortunately, this was a group of “commie homo-loving traitors” like me (at least that’s what some people call Progressives, LOL), so we were all on the same page politically! Ha ha Amy
Karen Bernardo
Could you tell me more about your sister, Beth Barlow, who was (I believe) the first female reporter on any Binghamton TV station? I’m playing with writing a story about those days and I’d love some accurate background material!
Sharp Little Pencil
I will talk to her and give her your email address. I’m not sure I’m the best source = secondhand material is usually lame. Thanks, Karen! Amy