This came out of two conversations: One with Nimue, and another with Leif. Both are “outside the box” poets, each with a dark and a light side. I want to acknowledge them both for conversations we have had that resulted in this poem. Please check out their sites! Also at Poets United, naturally! Amy
Tree Of My Soul
for Nimue and Leif
Half oak
Half willow
Bark soft as leather
or tough as truth
Fruit hangs from its branches
Mangoes, apples, peaches
but no olives
nor any fruit that requires
pickling or processing
Only fruits that are
picked from the twigs
devoured warm in the sun
juice running down my chin
like good sex
Watch for the spring sprout
see it birthed into a bud
wait, wait until
the time is right
the fruit is ripe
Only then is my soul
content
calm
fed
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
vivienne Blake
This is one heck of a lovely poem! I particularly liked tough as truth.
Olives are a no-no, but I do love making jams and chutneys!
Sharp Little Pencil
Viv, thanks so much. Yeah, “tough as truth” just sort of sneaked in the side door. And olives are EEEEEWWWW! ha ha Amy
ladynimue
Oh Amy ! I am so so honored ! totally .. This was a amazing read 🙂
Am glad to have met you here 🙂
You inspire me no end lady !
Sharp Little Pencil
This came from an email conversation we had months back, where I had mentioned something about thoughts being like fruit on a tree, ready to be plucked and devoured… saved that, turned it over in my mind, then Leif said something and voila! I am honored to be part of your journey, poetic and otherwise, Nimue. Peace, Amy
ladynimue
Many a poets
to shape the words
that come out from nowhere;
did you ever realize,
they always were
in wait of the one
to make them mean
something you did not see ..
This is for you Amy ! for being a part of my journey not just poetic … 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Nimue, bless you for these words. I like to think we are all intertwined in positive ways, sharing our visions with others. My personal vision has expanded because of the people who have touched my life with their art, their challenges, their sharing of themselves. You are one of those special people who make these endeavors worthwhile. And yes, ALL the journey, and always! Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Beautiful and rich with sensory images. I love the description of the tree of your soul – what a great concept!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Sherry, for this. Two completely different email correspondences with two different poets, and out comes a poem of its own, and very personal. I LOVE the “web” we continue to weave with our blogs, don’t you? Peace, Amy
Kim Nelson
The increased tension is perfect. The imagery, sublime. You captured it here, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Kim, thank you so much. I’ve been trying to experiment with different shapes, and this seemed to dwindle to an essence. Nimue and Leif both gave me ideas in two completely different email conversations, and those led to this poem. Loving the camaraderie! Amy
Victoria
Oh, wow. Love that juice running down your chin! Great poem and tribute to 2 of my favs.
Sharp Little Pencil
I wasn’t sure if that line would go in, but it was so sensual and yummy!! And they are two of my favorites as well, each saying something in an email that got me thinking… funny how that works, and when it does, BAM! 🙂 Amy
Daydreamertoo
Hmmmmm ripe and lovely 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Just what I was going for. Thanks for the affirmation! Amy
Madeleine Begun Kane
Lovely! And I especially liked the last two stanzas.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, Madeleine. I was pleased with the form, glad it pleased you as well! Amy
Jae Rose
There seems great contentment in these words..inside..an acknowledgement of belonging and sharing with others..but also being fulfilled inside..peachy write..Jae
Sharp Little Pencil
Yes, the involvement of Nimue and Leif’s vibes certainly helped me retain a clarity in the writing. Thanks, Jae! Oh – PEACHY, ha ha ha Amy
MiskMask
This is spectacularly riveting. Brilliant choice of words and timing, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Marilyn. I’m flattered! Amy
sariccia
the poem you wrote describes one of the old desktops on my computer… (I would show it to you, but naturally I’ve lost the damn thing) Anyways very moving, descriptive, and candid. Quite a good poem.
If you get a chance, check out my site.
http://lyricsaspoetry.wordpress.com
Sharp Little Pencil
Sariccia, thank you so much for stopping by! I certainly will check out your blog. Funny how even our old computers have personalities. Mine is quite loveable, actually! Her name is Helen.
See you at your blog, Amy
Renee Espriu
Beautiful juxtapostion, Amy. The word flow as they tell the story. You, too, have a way with words!
Sharp Little Pencil
This poem is my own tree – but the inspiration came from two separate, completely different email conversations with Lady Nimue and “Leiffy V.” It was in my responses to them that I found my own words, but I’d never have written them if they hadn’t been in response to things they said. Thanks, Renee! Amy
Debbie
wonderful, Amy! So good to be back and able to read my favorite people again!
Sharp Little Pencil
I always try to give links whenever possible, so I’m glad I could help, Debbie! Amy
Debbie
Oh my sweet . . .I meant YOU. So glad to be back to being able to read your blog again after being away for a couple of weeks! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Hope you had a healthy, safe time, Debbie! Glad you are back! Amy
Shonnie
I liked the tough as truth line as well.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Shonnie! It fell on my head and bonked me, so I had to put it in there…!
Leif G.S. Notae
*blink, blink* Wow. I am honored that you would write this in my darkness infused moments of clarity. Very deep and balanced, I instantly thought of the world tree split in black and white while reading this. I like this.
And I’d hate to correct you but THIS side of the tree loves pickling things *guzzles down more beer* *hic*
Thank you so much Amy, you are fantastic!
Sharp Little Pencil
Matt, you make me laugh with the beer comment, because I went to a rally for ousting bad senators in Wisconsin (anti-union, voted down collective bargaining rights even though all unions were ready with major concessions – the Koch-brothers-bought-and-delivered governor would not even talk to them), and came home JUST A TOUCH pickled myself!!
Hey, you and Nimue each had a unique effect on me through our email correspondence, and my jotting notes of my own inspired this poem. Baby, take a bow! Amy
Mike Patrick
Half willow, half oak. I’m just beginning to know you; yet, I doubt there could be a more perfect description: strong enough to face almost any challenge, but able to bend and flex to survive . . . perhaps with a jigger of weeping willow thrown in for emotion. Beautiful poem, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Wow, thanks for this, Mike. Do you know the song, “Willow, Weep For Me”? Jazz classic.
People say I’m pretty flexible on the little things, but “come the revolution, I want Amy in my trench!” I was flattered by that! Amy