Still under the weather – and yet, there’s that dizzy, “you ain’t goin’ nowhere” feeling of the flu that still gives rise to interesting thoughts.
First off, you MUST check out this link if you interested in (and, like me, vociferously object to) the Nazi/Fascist/Far-Right phenomenon of banning and/or burning books. Some might not like it (not because of subject, but because the title is something about “booksluts” and they use the “vee-jay-jay” word (yes, I have one, too. What’s the big deal?). There are some useful links. I BOUGHT my daughter a copy of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair when she was a teen. BANNED! SOCIALIST LEANINGS! Click HERE.
Please do check it out, but NOT until you have read this poem, for ABC Wednesday, and, of course, my poetic heartbeat, Poets United. Amy
I Never Lost Faith in Love
For all the sorry-ass excuses for men
who double-crossed my path,
through every mischievous menace who
left me drained and feeling inadequate,
I never lost faith in love.
Through many mistakes whose lips met mine
with divinely inspired kisses
(but the Devil’s own heart), plus
all the power of commitment God gave an ashtray,
I never lost faith in love.
For every hairy-dick tomcat
who yowled ‘til I let him in,
through every door that slammed in my face
once he got his share of the kitty,
I never lost faith in love.
On this earth, once I found the one
who is plush to my blush,
ever-after to my laughter,
I thank God every day,
I never lost faith in love.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
georgefloreswrite
I love it. It reminds me of a friend who lost her whole family in the Holocaust, but was still able to see beauty in life, even though she saw humanity at its worst. Followed!
Sharp Little Pencil
George, thank you so much for stopping by. Your perspective on the poem in unique and welcome. I, too, know survivors who lost all and could never look forward… your friend is very, very blessed to have that hope! Amy
kaykuala
Powerful words, Amy! I suppose women would have to be very sure of themselves and be on top of things just to maintain their rights. An excellent take!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Hank! You are such a cool guy with a wonderful appreciation of women in all their incarnations. We are a complicated bunch, and there aren’t many men who are able to see it from “our angle” (but I did marry one of them)! Peace, Amy
georgefloreswrite
This comment shouldn’t be put in because it’s just me telling you I think I found a typo. I think you meant “face”: “through every door that slammed in my fact”.
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, I print ALL comments, especially when folks are gracious enough to show this little copy editor that her fingers were working faster than her brain! Good catch, George, and thanks! Will edit.
I think we should all point these out for each other, especially so we don’t submit something with a typo… how embarrassing! Amy
georgefloreswrite
You have an excellent attitude! I have zillions of typos, I’m sure, and also appreciate other eyes. I was going to recommend an online writing group I’m in, but I read that you are recuperating and busy, so I’ll just leave it on my blog after my answer to your comment. I’ll be back for more! Take care, George.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for the feedback, George. I’m back “up to snuff” again and will look forward to hearing about your group! Peace, Amy
Debbie
I really, REALLY loved this one. An Amy classic. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your gift of poetry with us!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Debbie. Sweet of you! Amy
vivinfrance
This feels like you are emerging from a wilderness, coming out into clear sunshine and smooth water.
“slammed in my fact” – face?
Sharp Little Pencil
Viv, you are the second person to point out the typo, and I REALLY appreciate it. I think we should do this for each other, lest we submit a poem with a clunker like that. And I’m a copy editor, so that’s even WORSE!! 8^)
Madeleine Begun Kane
Good poem! Hope you’re feeling better soon!
Sharp Little Pencil
Bless you for your wishes, dear
I’m mobile again; now I fear
The practical fact:
The dishes are stacked
And the laundry is up to my rear!
Couldn’t resist! ha ha Amy
Tilly Bud
A lovely tribute to your love (Amy style, of course!).
Did you mean ‘face’ where you wrote ‘fact’?
Sharp Little Pencil
I’m telling ya, it’s downright embarrassing to be trumpeting my copy editor skills while, in the same week, making this doofus typo! I think you are the first one who caught it, but see below for more sharp eyes. I’m glad you mentioned it… we should all do this for each other. Imagine my getting non-critical feedback and SUBMITTING this one with that clunker? Ha ha, thanks, Linda, and thank you for your sweet compliment! Amy
Woih
I once lost and abandoned faith…much like an ashtray at that time
I like this one very much Amy
After all, not many can be plush to a blush
Sharp Little Pencil
I don’t even know where that came from, Dennis, just a little wordplay!
And yes, I abandoned faith for years as well… treated the concept with contempt. Took a mighty strong wind to blow down my defenses! Amen. Amy
Poetry & Icecream
I love this Amy, it’s so honest. Love the repetition 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks! It’s all true… sometimes, the best way to appreciate real love is remember when you didn’t have it!
hollyjb
Hey, how’s it going? I nominated you for an award:
http://hollyjb.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/me-a-versatile-blogger-aw-shucks/
Sharp Little Pencil
Holly, this is so sweet, but I’m just coming off being sick, so I cannot participate. I’m truly honored that you thought of me, dear! Love the “aw, shucks”! Peace, and please do forgive me, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Wonderful! I never did either! I so love this poem!
Sharp Little Pencil
Aw, Sherry, thanks. You just made me smile verrrrrrrrry widely! Amy
goodbyereality411
I really like this poem
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much! Welcome to the wacky world of sharpitude! Amy
Andrew
plush to my brush… love it! Great write, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
Hee hee, you never know what’s going to happen with wordplay, right? I don’t know where these things come from sometimes, Andrew! Thanks, Amy
Kim Nelson
Fabulous!
The innuendo and inference are just enough to roughen the edges, but not so much as to repel the more demure. The messages of growth through experience and disappointment, and of enduring belief in love come across clearly, with no sappiness. This is good
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, Kim, I thank you. I really wanted a bit of jaggedness to this pill, but not so much that it was a turnoff. Poor Tom, Dick, and Harry sure got put in their place.
“No sappiness.” Best comment EVER. Thanks, Amy
Mike Patrick
You fired all barrels on this one, Amy. I think the repeating refrain says it all.
You may have made a few mistakes along the way, but at least you found the promise land. Beats forty years stumbling around in a desert and never coming out the other side.
Sharp Little Pencil
Mike, sounds like what I always say about Moses: If he’d only have let his wife stop and ask directions!
Seriously, you’re right, I did let ’em fly here, but that refrain (hopefully) kept the interest going. If not for that, it would have been a total bummer. And the promised land? Yeah, very sweet… I’m a lucky woman. Thanks, buddy. Amy
contemplativemoorings
I wonder sometimes if we have to face a lot of adversity in our relationships in order to have the experience necessary to recognize real love…this story is a common one at any rate…
Sharp Little Pencil
I’ve often wondered the same. Friends who hooked up in high school often break up after the kids go away to college; and yet, one couple I know is as strong as ever, as youthful as ever, after 30 years of marriage. They were meant to be and didn’t need to go through the meat grinder to “get it.” I consider them very lucky, because most of us need fate to slap us upside the head a couple-twenty times before we understand what we want, what we need, and what we are truly able to offer another.
Thanks! Amy
dani
we all gotta have a little faith… glad yours finally paid off. ♥
Sharp Little Pencil
You have that one right, sister. Amy
Dick
A great feisty affirmation, rich with its own voice.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, Dick, what a nice comment. Peace, Amy
dreamingthruthetwilight
Losing faith in love
Would indeed be
A rudderless ship
Out on a stormy sea
Directionless to float
Tossed roughly by the tides
Shattered by the rocks
Safety of shore denied
But you never lost your faith
You took life in your stride
And in telling us your tale
To give us hope, you’ve tried
Thanks a lot , dear Amy
You courageous girl!
Gathering your tears
You’ve made yorself , a pearl.
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s the rare poet who will respond in this way – a way that shows you really took my work to heart and that inspired something in you. Nadira, I am truly honored by this, and I thank you and bless you. A pearl… what a lovely thought! Love, Amy
Kwee Lewis
Beautiful. And I hope you are feeling better. And, you know, I’ve been buying banned books for my son to read starting way back when he first learned how to read.
(((hugs))) to you, Dear Wonderful Girl
Sharp Little Pencil
Kwee, woman and mother after my own heart. I remember reading “Catcher in the Rye” with Riley and asking her why she thought Holden Caulfield was the way he was. She said, “I think he’s just sick, Mom. He needs therapy, you know?” Hugs back atcha, Amy
Tracy Crenshaw
If you will excuse the play on words, I just have to say that I am in love with your poems. Every poem I read I wish I had written. This is amazing, and just makes me happy.