All of us who know Joseph Harker and read his work are impressed. Floored. Gobsmacked. Delighted. Pick a positive adjective and it fits, including “horny”! His pen name fascinates me; I believe “Harker” must come from Mary Shelley, which pleases me no end. I love her work. Much of Joseph’s work could translate into other times, and so my poem reflects how I imagine him, having never seen him.
I had promised J. a poem for his birthday BUT then that manhole cover was put on top of my head and gravity, oy, gravity… in other words, depression set in and I was unable to write. I wrote this BEFORE the depression. THAT’S how depressed I was; I didn’t even post it.
This form might be a snowball or an etheree, except I believe those are based on syllables, not words. So this may be an Amyball or an etherbarlow, I’m not sure. (Viv will tell me!) So, without further adieu, may I present the inimitable…
Joseph Harker (belated birthday present)
Joseph
Mister Harker
No other wordsmith
can cast his spell
Weaving phrases like spun glass
Each syllable carefully and lovingly considered
Attention to form, his style, so graceful
It takes a kind heart to create art
I can see him, slouched at his rolltop desk
Quill, inkwell, and parchment in place; he conjures a sonnet
© 2010 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
(Also on my poetic hearthstone, Poets United)
Sharp Little Pencil 
vivinfrance
Ermmm – what’s the opposite of hyperbole? I thought it was an etheree.
Sharp Little Pencil
The opposite of hyperbole is introverbole!!
vivinfrance
Meanwhile, has the depression lifed? I do hope so.
Sharp Little Pencil
Yes, thank God and thank you for asking. We all go in and out of these things, depending on weather, health, etc., right? Love, Amy
vivinfrance
lifted. I’m not having a good day…
Sharp Little Pencil
Sorry it’s not a good one, but glad I could help. Anything about Joseph makes me smile, and of course you, too…
Debbie
What a perfect birthday present for Joseph! 🙂 Thanks for letting us in on it too!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Debbie. Too bad it was about two weeks late, LOL!
Renee Espriu
What a wonderful tribute, Amy, and so glad you are feeling better.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Renee. Just trying to catch up on comments is a Herculean feat in itself. I appreciate what you said about the poem. I want to meet Joseph someday, don’t you?
Andy Sewina
Hi Amy, there’s some belting lines here, especially ‘weaving phrases like spun glass’. I think you’re right, there’s magic involved in writing a sonnet.
Sharp Little Pencil
Frankly, Joseph’s writing is magical to me. My aim was to imagine him conjuring his work like a magician! Thanks so much, Amy
scrambled7
I didn’t know him before this, gotta check out.
nice poem 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Totally recommended by moi, and in the “I Love These Poets” section of my right column. Thanks very much, Scram! Amy
laurie kolp
And this poem shines, too!
Sharp Little Pencil
Aw, Laurie, that is sweet. Thanks, Amy
Joseph Harker
Aw shucks! After days of being an absentee blogger, I came across this… many thanks. 🙂 I quite like “etherbarlow”, I suggest you patent it quickly. And “Harker” is an old, old family name that peeks in a couple generations back, leads to the 1600s at least; I’m a sometime scion, here and there.
Sharp Little Pencil
Damn! I was hoping it was from Mary Shelley, but Harker is an excellent name, and I enjoy the idea of taking names from one’s family. My Riley took her last name, Dunn, from the Irish side of my mom’s family. Also serves as a pun: “Wryly done!”
So glad you liked your poem. I’m not sure whether “etherbarlow” doesn’t sound like me during the 70s (ha ha), but at any rate… a sometime scion? Do tell! Amy
The Lost Poet
A lovely birthday present, Amy. The last two lines tie it all up.
Sharp Little Pencil
I love Joseph’s work and can only imagine what his work space is like!