The Door to Deceitful Delights
The door to deceitful delights
she discovered within as she was
plied with that first fizzy fun punch
Pried open wider by a toke of particularly prime pot
Finally flung open with the abandon possessed by
twenty-something Immortals
This same door had dwelt
in her mother and others long passed
Smothering, smoldering smoke and
various places to place opium
by hookah or
by whodahthunkit
Twenty-something was wise
She grew tired of wasting time
Time to grow up
We can’t all be Peter Pan
or Tinkerbell, even
She shoved her full weight against the door
Forced it shut and with it all the shit, shove-stored
She knows she could open it again
on a whim or over a heartbreak
But she willingly tossed the key
into a pool of other bad memories
where she chooses not to swim
knowing she’d only sink like a stone
© Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For dverse Open Mike Night (check out the links!) and my poetic hearth and home, Poets United.
Sharp Little Pencil 
Laurie Kolp
Love this, Amy. The immortality and wildness of 20-somethings…
Sharp Little Pencil
Like me…! It looks so different in retrospect. Peace, Amy
Kellie Elmore
no, we cannot all be peter pan 😦 poignant pen, Amy. nice work as always.
http://magicinthebackyard.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/polaroids-of-delilah/
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Kellie – and thanks for leaving the specific link, so I can see what you did with the prompt! Peace, Amy
brian
good on her for choosing to break that cycle…its not easy to do but it can be done…very well told…
Sharp Little Pencil
That ‘her’ was me, so thanks, Brian. And it can be done, but not alone. Peace, Amy
rosemarymint
“knowing she’d only sink like a stone” … Amen. Wise choice, twenty-something. 🙂
This piece is incredible. Loved the flow, funky rhythm, and alliteration. Bravo.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Rosemary! It’s so true… once I found my way out of the rabbit hole, I understood the parameters of certain mistakes. Thanks also for comments of content and form! Coming over your way now… Peace, Amy
Old Egg
Stunningly strong writing with beautiful vocabulary to match the strength of the character’s determination to quit now she is awake to the consequences.
Sharp Little Pencil
I’m telling you, next chapbook, I’m going to solicit reviews from you, Robin, because you “get” it every time and express all so eloquently. Thanks, my friend, and PEACE. Amy
Old Ollie
Oh those twenty something years. This is a metaphorical master piece…that all too many can relate to.
Peace – Merry Christamas
Sharp Little Pencil
Ollie, and a Merry Christmas to you… yes, hindsight certainly is 20/20. It’s being in the middle of bad choices that makes you blind! Amy
Debbie
What a wonderful way to think of it and describe it! Thanks, Amy, always!
Sharp Little Pencil
Bless you, Debbie! Thanks for understanding, as always. Peace, Amy
wordsandthoughtspjs
Best to leave those vices on the other side, Amy. Good idea.
Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Pamela
Sharp Little Pencil
Igualmente a tu y tuyos, Felicidades! Amelita
Baishali
very beautiful and an amazing depth … enjoyed visiting your blog.
Sharp Little Pencil
So glad you could stop by, Baishali. I shall pay you a visit now! Thanks for your comments. Peace, Amy
Joseph Harker
Some lovely alliteration to be had in here, and an ending that packs a punch. Quite nice.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Joseph. This truly fell together like a shuffled deck of cards, which is the loveliest feeling. Of course, it helps when one writes free verse instead of the complicated forms you tackle!! Merry Christmas, my friend, and peace always, Amy
leah J. Lynn
I’am a well bad poetess. but your expression, I can feel. though I was never there.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Leah, that’s actually a wonderful compliment, feeling it without experiencing it. Off to see what you DO write, now, and I’ll bet it’s fine! Peace, Amy
Pat Hatt
Great close, really liked the sinking like a stone. Avoid the temptation and stay above water.
Sharp Little Pencil
Amen, brother! Thanks, and peace. Amy
Adrian Giannini
Thanx for my review, and now I discover you…..
Love dteh word play, fun with a hint of reality to them, a touch of bite , just th away I like em 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Adrian, welcome to my world! So glad you liked the poem I offered. And what a deliciously naughty comment, yay! Peace, Amy
Altonian
It’s a case of Know Thyself. I like this poem, which expresses a strong character’s
resistance and resiliance to temptation. Comes across very well as a strong lesson to those of a weaker ilk.
Sharp Little Pencil
The weaker ilk is, in reality, me in my 20s. I was a mess but fortunately lived to tell the tale. Thank God I was scared of needles, the only thing I didn’t try…
And you’re right. Ultimately, even at my worst, there were some things I would not do. Thanks, Leigh. Peace, Amy
Roger Green
I can relate, from both sides of the spectrum
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, we’re kind of kindred spirits on that score. This really looks back at my 20s. Peace, Amy
Louise
Sadly those memories have a habit of floating to the surface again, 10 or 20 years later… though I like the idea of abandon .. *smiles* A clever write 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Louise! I admit, this is me in my 20s, in case you had not guessed. Now that I look back, at the age of 55, I can’t believe I’m still here. I’ll pop over and visit you now! Amy
hedgewitch
The image of the closet door, things ‘shove-stored’ really perfect here. Well said.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much, HW. Do you have a blog I can visit? Please add your blog location next time! Peace, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
I love this one, Amy, especially the closing stanza. Awesome.
Sharp Little Pencil
There is much to be learned from hindsight. Unfortunately, so much of my past is a bit blurry!! Thanks, Sherry… love, Amy
Andrew Kreider
Amy, I love the gathering wisdom of the movement in this poem. Knowing she’d only sink like a stone – would that we could all throw the door shut with as much energy and throw away the key! Thanks.
Sharp Little Pencil
Andrew, this was me. I’m not claiming existential wisdom… it was more like Grandma Blanche, my guardian angel, whispering in my ear, “Enough, or you’ll turn out like your mom and become a hopeless addict.” I think watching my mother get sober at the age of 60 (!) was another influence. Talk about courage. Thanks so much, Andrew. Peace, Amy
Steve King
This is a very strong piece reflecting problematic reality. You kept it sharp, concise and focused and managed to convey much in few words. I admire the way you did this and I’m glad I stopped by the blog.
Sharp Little Pencil
Steve, so glad you stopped by, too. I very much appreciate your words of praise – am flattered, to say the least. Will come see what you’re up to now! Amy
Mary
Twenty-somethings always think they are wise. It often isn’t until much later that they figure out what they hadn’t known when they thought they knew everything.
Sharp Little Pencil
You are so right, Mary! Amy
woodrow
great wordplay, sharp descriptions, i really enjoyed reading this. and i’d like to say i have no such closet shove-stored with twenty-something decadence, but i do, and i’m kinda glad it’s there. very well written.
Sharp Little Pencil
Woodrow, thanks for visiting. I am also glad I have those experience in my box of tricks, because I can take them out when needed for lessons learned. One is also more able to identify with someone caught in the maelstrom and perhaps offer them support. Peace, Amy
Victoria C. Slotto
Amy, slamming that door shut and knowing what will happen if she opens it again. Perfect description of that battle over addiction, I suspect.
Sharp Little Pencil
So right you are, Victoria, and it’s all from personal experience…! About 30 years ago, thank God… and yet, the door could fling wide open if I am not vigilant with self-care and therapy. Peace, Amy
Kim Nelson
For one I love… I yearn for the day the shit is shoved, the door is closed and the key is tossed, forever lost.
This is a great bit of story-telling, Amy!
http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2011/12/21/to-let-go/
Sharp Little Pencil
Kim, I understand your feelings. Am there with a few folks as well. The trick is to STAY on that right, mindful path. Quitting is only the first step. Any addiction not fully examined and discussed with a group and maybe professional help is not worth cleaning up in the first place… Thanks, Kim! Peace, Amy
Renee Espriu
Sometimes even the thought of going back in time isn’t an option. Great post, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
Renee, going back in time, maybe not… but repeating the same mistakes, always there unless you really stick with the self-care. Which I do! Thanks so much for your comment – peace, Amy
MiskMask
I reckon that we’ve all been there and done that. Perhaps it’s more important to accept that we found another path eventually, and that everything we experience is the summation of who we are now.
Sharp Little Pencil
Amen, sister. I would not trade the experience for anything… gives me plenty of insights, and not just about myself (I hate navel-gazing!). Been there, done that… but don’t wanna do it again, right? Peace, Amy
Other Mary
Good one! I love all the alliteration and word play, and love that strong, smart young woman!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Mary… it’s based on my youth, so I’m flattered. Hardest thing in the world, cleaning up, but I set a good example for my daughter by being sober years before her birth… and telling her honestly about all the trouble I got into, without glamorizing it in the slightest. She’s straight-arrow except for the occasional beer, and good for her! Peace, Amy
zongrik
nice litany on addictions
…i was just reading that Hookah smoking is not safer than cigarette smoking. </a.
Sharp Little Pencil
All smoking is bad for your lungs, it’s true. Has to do with mouth-breathing, partly… instead of breathing through your nose, where the air is naturally filtered and moisturized through your nasal cavities before entering the lungs, smoking is straight from mouth to lungs…
But I still make a darned good omelette, if you get my “drift”! Thanks for your comments, Zongrik! Amy
Sheila Moore
great write – denial is a powerful tool.
Sharp Little Pencil
Amen, sister. Denial worked for years, for me at least, until the walls caved in. Thanks, Sheila! Peace, Amy
Old Egg
There is so much strength in this poem. Truth is stranger than fiction and the power of this piece seems to come from personal experience and what better educator is that?
I thought I had commented on one of your earlier pieces but who knows from whence it came or whither it goes. Perhaps some perplexed blogger is scratching their head at the nonsense they have received.
A respectful and seasonal hug from me.
Sharp Little Pencil
Robin, I am actually dreadfully behind on answering posts. I believe I am caught up to here, anyway… but we are moving, so “production” is off schedule. Also, my editing job on that book came out in print, much rejoicing, and the Rev. and I had Advent and Christmas to tend to.
About the poem – as usually is the case, it’s autobiographical. I taught my daughter all about the dangers, the “doors,” and she generally stops at the occasional beer because she understands her addictive bloodline. So experience was my teacher, and I hope I helped Riley avoid that by teaching her in advance…
Peace to you, my friend. Amy
kaykuala
Amy,
As expected the 20 something with head strong tendencies. They would bull doze through and throw the keys away. Very apt description!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, especially when it’s me, looking at all the current 20s doing the same thing. Only their toys are much more dangerous, and I talk all the time with Riley about this. I didn’t have to worry about date rape drugs or Ecstasy, let alone “pharming parties…” I pray for our kids… peace, Amy
Ostensible Truth (OT)
poignant and nostalgic – swimming through descriptions – this was a really great write, and you had me captured from start to finish! particularly liked the closing stanza “But she willingly tossed the key
into a pool of other bad memories
where she chooses not to swim
knowing she’d only sink like a stone” – nice work!
Sharp Little Pencil
Dear OT, thanks so much for stopping by and for commenting. I’m flattered you liked the poem this much. Now to travel over to see what you are up to! Peace, Amy
beespoetry
Hey other mother! I hope the move is going well.
The alliteration peppered throughout and your upbeat-feeling rhythm is a wicked contrast to the subject matter. It’s a tough balancing act- you nailed it!
That last stanza is going to stick with me for sure.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, my little Bee. Knew you would like this one, despite the challenges… love you! Amy