Strolling
Today, I’ll stroll to Mary’s place.
The patio screen scritchscratches with my departure.
Why lock it? Next Door Nan will be at home.
Sneakers on grass, bristling the sunburnt ground cover
The brush of palm fronts bending to grant me passage
And all along the way, crickets chirping
Now my sneaks scrape along the sidewalk,
past Pete the shoe repair guy, who waves.
“Time for that again?” he jokes.
“Yupper,” I shout, as my finger makes
little circles around my ear. “I’ll bring my
sandals over tomorrow, hope you can save ‘em!”
A profusion of orange flowers, “ditch lilies” they call them here,
but I dead-head the wizened, faded flowers,
pitch them into the fray, mulch for another day.
(Someday, I will be wizened and faded, too –
but if they want to toss me into the mulch pile,
they’ll have to catch me first!)
Finally the clip-clop upstairs, into the waiting room
with the fountain that always makes me need to pee.
Then, the soft inhale of a door opening:
“Amy?” smiles Mary, my therapist.
“Let’s do this sucker,” I laugh, and whoosh!
The door shuts. Tears to be shed, secrets to keep.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For We Write Poems‘ prompt, Walk. Also on display at Poets United! Peace, Amy
booguloo
Beautifully done. You reminded me to put mine on the calendar.. 😉
Sharp Little Pencil
LOL, glad it worked out for you, Michael! Amy
liv2write2day
The ending blew me away. You have such a way of drawing us into the heart of being human. Wow!
Sharp Little Pencil
Victoria, I wanted the stroll to be as important as the destination, but I did enjoy puttingin the changeup, especially with the hint of the shoe repair guy knowing my route so well!! Thanks, Amy
Debbie
You are the queen of narrative poems. Thank you for sharing!
Sharp Little Pencil
Wow, I never got to be queen of anything except the Behavioral Science Unit (The Mental War)! This is cool! Seriously, thanks so much, Debbie. Love, Amy
Mama Zen
This is so, so good!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Mama!
vivienne Blake
Amy, you’ve done it again: you’ve transported me into another life, so that I can ‘see’ what you see, feel what you feel. Vivid writing is definitely your forte.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you for touching on this point, Viv. My aunt used to say that I write like I speak, and it sort of tumbles out that way. I may never be a great poet, but I’m honest. Appreciate it, Amy
Judith
Hi Amy – you have really caught my attention with this poem. Great. Now I am moved to write a poem for myself on this prompt. Do I just post a blog and link back to We write Poems. Help please.
Sharp Little Pencil
Actually, post the blog, then click on the name of your poem to get an EXACT link of where your poem is. Then to to We Write Poems, find the Wednesday “Post Your Poems Day!” (even if it’s on Friday, whatever), and add your link in your comment. Then go up the list and sample a few other poets – not only a nice courtesy, but a lot of fun to see the variety.
I also have a wealth of other prompt sites on my home page – look for Prompt Blogs and you’ll find them listed there! Good luck… and peace. Amy
MiskMask
That one really touched me, Amy. The whole thing is nicely stitched together and flows beautifully.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Marilyn. And the best part was that it was a GREAT session! (wink) Amy
David King
A real little gem. I thoroughly enjoyed my read.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, David. I like to accentuate the positive once in a while! Amy
Daydreamertoo
Gosh, I thought you were on your way to the dentist ~! I’d much rather go where you did though.
Lovely imgaery used.
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, I’ll take bad memories over a drill in the molars anytime, too! Glad we agree… Peace, Amy
Pat Hatt
haha that was a nice stroll, a fountain that makes you pee, funny how they can do that.
Sharp Little Pencil
I think those fountains are the bane of every woman over about 45. The minute menopause sets in, the slightest thing can set off that reaction! It’s supposed to be so calming… I’d rather have a gong or chimes. Glad you agree, Pat! And incidentally, being a cat person myself, YOUR BLOG IS A HOOT!! Peace, Amy
Renee Espriu
A really deeply moving piece and not at all sad, really. A story in verse. I like it!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Renee. Wasn’t meant to be sad, more of a lark, really. I know the shoe repair guy well enough and we’re both bipolar, so that’s why he laughed and made the “crazy” gesture (see, when you actually HAVE a mental disorder, you get an occasional dispensation from political correctness, and nobody was looking!). It’s the path I tread every Wednesday, and Mary is like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Even in winter! Amy
akweelife
Something just dawned on me, I think I know one of the things I am learning from your writing – descriptions. This poem really brought home to me the value of all the little details that put the reader into what you are creating. I had the sights, sounds, even colors and the movement of the palm fronds. Just great. Then I like the way you say what is going to happen without killing the beauty of the poem by weighing it down with too much information.
Just very good. Thank you!
Sharp Little Pencil
Showered with blessings, I am, hearing these encouraging words from you, Kwee. A lot of people don’t really know how to read, how to take it in – and that’s a talent I believe we share. It’s like being a good audience at a jazz club. Some people talk through the set, even when there are world-class players on stage. I am silent for beginners at open mic, and receptive to all they say. Maybe it’s that ear for words, for people’s stories, that has helped me along. I bless everyone who has crossed my path and tonight, when I meditate, it will be on that blessed silence. Thank you so much, Kwee. Amy
Bodhirose
I love how you wrapped up your story/stroll, Amy. I was surprised by the ending–where your stroll led us– but it was so perfect. Totally enjoyable.
Sharp Little Pencil
…and thus part of the reason I’m alive to tell the tale today! Funny how the shoe repair guy and I know each other so well. He’s in therapy too; that’s why we can make the “crazy” gestures to each other. Like an inside joke!! Thanks, Gayle! Amy