My Favorite Bouquet
Buy me no roses, I begged him.
Spare me the sight of their bloom.
They wither and die,
and depress such as I,
but I do so adore their perfume!
Two things – a vial of rose essence,
The other, a sunrise sweet kiss.
I love a nice gift,
one that gives me a lift:
Love, your self is my ultimate bliss.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Just because we’ve been married 13 years doesn’t mean I don’t love Lex more every day. May our Creator grant us the gift of growing old together. Peace, Amy
For Poets United, my poetic hearth and home.
Sharp Little Pencil 
vivinfrance
This loving poem would also fit Vict.oria’s prompt at dVerse Poets. I admire your ability to put emotions into words
Sharp Little Pencil
Viv, took your advice – sorry I didn’t post the response before now, though… backlogged on comments! Emotions into words? I was taught by the best: Ira Gershwin and Johnny Mercer. Peace, Amy
brian miller
i hope that you go get the gift to grow old together….and like the ones you mention…i do think love starts with loving yourself…and sometimes that does mean gifting yourself too..smiles.
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, Brian, this is a charming reply. It’s true, like the song says, “I can’t be right for somebody else/If I’m not right for me.” Self-esteem was the missing element my first time around the marriage-go-round. But the second time (after some therapy!), I caught the brass ring. Fortunately for me, Lex feels the same way, and it’s his second go-round, too! Peace, Amy
Old Raven
My dear you have such a wonderful way with word …. they are beauty itself … I think because you are fully you upon the page!
Sharp Little Pencil
Raven, if nothing else, I try to be as honest, as authentically myself, as I can. It’s the only truly distinguishing mark of my work. Others excel at forms, in rhymes, in weaving tales of magical proportions… but I’m me. You hit it on the head, but thanks also for that lovely comment, “They are beauty itself.” Amy
Renee Espriu
Beautifully written, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Renee. Wow, folks like this one… guess I should rant a little less, huh? (wink) Amy
Altonian
That is a really beautiful poem Amy, the kind that warms the heart as you read it.
Amen to your growing old with Lex.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Leigh. I actually teared up a bit as I was writing. Perhaps I should show this side more often, but it’s hard for me to be vulnerable in the positive sense… yet. I know that sounds convoluted, but given my childhood, the vulnerability of another kind comes to mind more often. Give it time, right? Thanks again for a lovely comment! Peace, Amy
Tino
In times such as these we live in, and on a day that was more about dark than light, its been great to read something that made me smile. Thanks for sharing
Sharp Little Pencil
It was dark here, too, Tino, and yet the moment was right. I never know what will come out of the swiss cheese in my head on any given day!! Thanks, Amy
claudia
congrats on 13 years.. and seeing the other as the ultimate bliss and gift is just the perfect way to live marriage.. beautiful..
Sharp Little Pencil
Claudia, after rocky first marriages for each of us, I’m glad to say I love the boy more with each passing day. Thanks for seeing the beauty in our marriage! Amy
vivinfrance
A lovely affirmation of love.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Viv. Sorry this reply comes late – I’m struggling to catch up!! Peace, Amy
Debbie
Love this love, Amy! 🙂 happy sigh!
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, happy sighs are the best, Debbie! Thanks, and peace, Amy
kaykuala
Amy,
You got it Ma’am! Growing old (oops!) together is a wedded bliss. It’s something there for the asking but we often ignore. Never realizing the other is just as ready and waiting. Holding hands in the park can be rejuvenating for a start!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Holding hands… sharing coffee and playing backgammon at our favorite cafes in Madison… watching the Packers (well, he watches and I sleep in his arms!)… sharing ministry moments in church. It’s all about togetherness and being real friends. Thanks for understanding, Hank! Amy
Mary
Ah, Amy, I read the emotion “love” into this poem for dVerse. I truly feel it within your words.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Mary. It’s all true, and that’s the beauty of it. Peace, Amy
ladynimue
I so needed something this simple and sweet .. honestly , i too would prefer such love to be blessed in every one’s life ! god bless you Amy 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Nim, I was just at your site! Saw your dverse (yeah, I’m THAT behind at responses!) post and loved it.
I’m glad our love could provide you a little sugar, too! xo Amy
Kathy Bischoping
It’s fun to see a limerick form being used for a love poem, it gives such lilt and brightness, an extra layer enhancing your message.
Sharp Little Pencil
Kathy, thanks so much for stopping by! You appreciated the form – now, that’s great, because most regular readers will giggle. I so rarely write in any type of form, since my mind doesn’t have the patience. But this one rolled right out there, form and all. Thanks for an uplifting comment. Off to check your blog now! Peace, Amy
Victoria C. Slotto
I like how you express the need for something more enduring than flowers, using the essence of rose. Powerful metaphor, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Victoria, thank you so much. Funny, one of the only scents I am not allergic to (years of singing in clubs second-handed smoked me out and made me too sensitive to chemicals) is tea rose oil and vanilla – straight from the bottle, the kind you cook with. Believe it or not, I occasionally use a dab as a cologne! Thanks for stopping, and peace, Amy
Dick
Sweet and complete!
Sharp Little Pencil
And reet and petite! (oops, dating myself with that one!!) Thanks so much, Dick! Amy
MISH
Happy Anniversary to you and your better half, Amy! May you be blessed to enjoy many, many more years together… 🙂
In terms of gifts, I’m not a “flowers” type of person, so my hubby never buys me flowers as a gift…
Anyway, he’s not the “flower-buying-type” either… so that settles that!
Sharp Little Pencil
Sounds like a match made in heaven, Marilyn! Lex is like your husband. He does things for me rather than buying them, and I much prefer that! Amy
Lindy Lee
Picked up your link from Tino’s Teasings. Thought if Tino “Liked” your work, for sure so would I. Not disappointed… http://poeticlicensee.wordpress.com/
Sharp Little Pencil
Now that I’ve seen your work, I know we are kindred spirits. Posted something just for you – left comment. Sorry I am so late in responding. Life is hectic when you are a poet AND a pastor’s wife, this time of year! Peace, Amy
Madeleine Begun Kane
A wonderfully sweet poem!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, my dear. See, I really am a mush at heart… Amy
Daydreamertoo
I love the fragrance of flowers too. Like you, I don’t like to see them die. I agree with Brian, you have to sometimes give yourself a gift too because, your worth it. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, agreeing with Brian about anything is usually the smart path! DD, I cannot take the smell of Easter lilies. They are so cloyingly sweet and fill the sanctuary of a church (where I am often a lay minister) with that peculiar, funereal smell… But as to the “me-gifting,” I agree, we are ALL worth it! xo, Amy
Roger Green
Very sweet!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Roger. Kind of sentimental for me, huh? (wink) Amy
pearl ketover prilik
Grow young and wise together …. You can grow old with anyone ….that jut happens effortlessly …. but growing young seeing things as less serious, less intense, more open and filled with fresh wonder …. Feeling yourself relax into all you have been, are and kneeing you will be fine with whatever is around the bend, down the road, up ahead, at a smiling peace together …priceless ….:)
Sharp Little Pencil
My dad said, “Learn a new thing every day and you’ll never grow old.” That’s the essence of youth, right? Always willing to be taught, to share with others, and – as you said so beautifully, to “relax into all you have been.” Lovely words, Pearl Girl, and thanks! Peace, Amer