Poets United asked us to meditate on the word, “She.”
THREE IMAGES OF WOMEN GRACE MY WALL
A dog-eared poster hovers near my desk, rebellious wallpaper
Detailed manifesto of the Women’s Liberation Movement
“Because woman’s work is never done and is underpaid…”
Words from a bubbling wellspring of hope and burned lycra
Demand for an equal stake in this country, still unmet
A postcard: Virginia Woolf and Gertrude Stein
keep me honest in all pursuits, artful and activist
as they stare me down in a loving way, like sisters
heart of depression beside the mother of us all
reminding me that women are worthy of everything
Klimt portrait, foil-embroidered woman
She stands alone, in no man’s embrace
yet framed by flowers, wearing a come-hither robe
Full black hat, ebony halo, distant gaze
Essence of loveliness, an equal part of my soul
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
Debbie
Thank you for sharing your “she” poem with us! You make poetry look so easy, Amy! It just pours out of you.
Sharp Little Pencil
More like oozes out, some days, Debbie! I’ve been sick for a couple of days but thankfully am better. I wrote this one in bed! Amy
Ella
Powerful and so historic of what this journey of she has been, gone through…
Sharp Little Pencil
These pictures actually are posted above my workspace, each and every one a reminder of what women have fought for over the years. Thanks, Ella. Amy
Renee Espriu
The images you portray here are strong and inspiring. We all need women as roll models that inspire. Thank You!
Sharp Little Pencil
There are so many more I could mention, but these three seemed the best choice for the time and place. Believe me, I have everything from Billie Holiday and Kate Hepburn to Rosie the Riveter, her bicep flexed, insisting, “We can do it!” Thanks, Renee! Amy
Tassilyn
That’s a weug-thollht-out answer to a challenging question
Renee Espriu
Thank you for this one, Amy. I lost my brother to this terrible disease, a good hearted man who loved life and died too soon.
Sharp Little Pencil
Renee, you know the whole thing. I’m so sorry you lost your brother. The judgment that preachers talk about will be: How did we respond? You responded in love and have some wonderful memories. May those memories sustain you, and the bad memories of the last days and stigmatizing pink signs on hospital doors fade into the past. Love, Amy
vivienne Blake
You have written some beauitiful words here. Bravo.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much, Viv! I just saw your posting on the Scottish dance and am still cracking up. Amy
liv2write2day
So good, Amy. Great references to Woolf, Stein, and the Klimt portrait–and it evokes a contrast with his “The Kiss.”
Sharp Little Pencil
You know Klimt’s work well, Victoria – yes, this woman is one of the few he chose to paint alone. She’s a game girl, methinks! Amy
Rosemary Nissen-Wade aka SnakyPoet
Great images!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Rosemary. I tried to leave a comment on your site and it only gave me a blank page. Are you having problems? Hope not = I’ll revisit later! Amy
Daydreamertoo
Beautiful.
Women have come a long way in claiming their equal rights but even now, still have some way to go. Yet where in the world would we be, without a woman. Glad you had such great influences on you as you grew up. It helped you to become who you are today. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
You know, some people think having an alcoholic mom and bipolar grandmother would be bad influences, but they were free to express themselves, rather open and honest and at times indiscreet… I think all that makes for a family tradition which deserves to be upheld! And Riley has added “gender queer” to the mix, so like Mama, like daughter – just as I added poetry, she added the question of gender as well as artistry that knows no bounds! Thanks, hon. Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Oh I love the thought of those images, strong, vital, powerful and Enough, in themselves, to inspire. Love this poem, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Sherry, and as some are saying, we have a ways to go… but having these pix and that poster on my wall remind me daily of the strength of women. I’d like to see a man go through labor. He’d say, “Screw natural childbirth – give me the epidural!” Ha ha, just kidding, guys! Amy
TheMsLvh
Just wonderful! I truly felt what you were writing. Very clear and great! Loved the first stanza.
Sharp Little Pencil
That’s from an old poster – white lettering on purple backing, with a female “sign” in the corner. “Because women’s work in never done and is underpaid or unpaid or boring or repetitious and we’re the first to get first and what we look like is more important than what we do…” A page long rant ending in: “…for lots and lots of other reasons we are part of the women’s liberation movement.” It’s a famous poster, you should get one. My husband is also a feminist, which is important. We need all the allies we can get! Thanks, MsLvh! Amy
Leif G.S. Notae
Very powerful and empowering but I can’t help but notice the extremes tend to be lonely when they come to blazing those trails. While the world needs these people, the middle seems to be more accommodating to connection and balance. That is what the world needs is more give and take from both sexes.
However, that being said… *ahem* *reads contractually obligated statement* You go girl!
Sharp Little Pencil
Ha ha, dear friend, please know I welcome critique, especially from good writers like you. I’m of your mind – the trailblazers do tend to be lonely. But Gertrude had Alice B. Toklas; Virginia Woolf had Leonard (although he could not save her from herself, and he knew it…) and so I continue to move forward.
The middle is where connection and balance are found, it’s true. I simply must acknowledge that the middle holds little for me, other than the fact that my husband is also a feminist. We need all the guys as allies we can get, much as the LGBT community needs straight folks as allies, and I’m one, and so is Lex…
Thanks for a thoughtful post, “Leiffy”! Amy
Mama Zen
This is absolutely inspiring. I really enjoyed this.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Mama. Loved the question you posted about being caught in public underdressed… food for thought!!! Love, Amy
Lafemmeroar
Feminine, powerful and emotional. The imagery in this piece is absolutely wonderful. Nicely done 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much, CC. They are all, as I mentioned, hanging on the wall in my workspace, along with Rosie the Riveter, Marlene Dietrich, and Billie Holiday, among others! Amy
Kavita
Whhoooaaa!! A great tribute, sweetie!!
Cheers to all the women that make womanhood count as a real blessing!
Love you loads!!
~K
Sharp Little Pencil
Kavita, that includes you, my dear. Thanks so much, my dear!
Love you, too! Amy