I’ve changed my blog settings so now, all comments are approved. The backlog was immense and guilt was clouding my creativity. (I’m Black Irish, so that kind of guilt is quite weighty!) I will attempt to figure out how to respond to your comments later… but right now, the burden of guilt lifted from my shoulders, I shall post. Peace, Amy
GUMM… AND GUMMER (A Suite in Two Movements)
I. Frances Gumm
Child stardom thrust upon her
by mother’s demand
Couldn’t navigate a ship
she didn’t command
Crinkles, cramps, crevices
of age came too soon
The voice we all loved:
Judy’s sad, silent tune
II. Mrs. Gummer
You know her
or you feel like you do
That crinkle in her smile
The creases framing her sparkling eyes
She’s a survivor
Bucking the demand that actresses be
plump only in the lips and
possess a Stepford-smooth forehead
She will continue to navigate
the Hollywood torrents with grace,
and if awards come too, that’s fine.
What matters to her is the work.
What matters to her more is family.
Marvelous Meryl Streep!
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For Three Word Wednesday (Crinkle, Demand, Navigate) and ABC Wednesday, brought to you by the letter “G.” Also at my poetic lair, Poets United.
Sharp Little Pencil 
Roger Green
I’ve seen more films by Streep than by any other single performer. BTW, I theorized she’d win this year because Oscar wasn’t going to visit TWO black performers. She WAS overdue, but that was NOT as good movie.
Judy always made me melancholy, even in Oz.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Sharp Little Pencil
Roger, I agree, this was not her best movie by far. Viola Davis should have won the Oscar, but they tend to be racially biased, as you say; Best Supporting Actress was “enough” by Hollywood standards, which frankly sucks. As for Judy, she and Barbra and Billie and Dusty were my reasons for becoming a singer, yet you could truly feel her longing in “Oz,” you’re so right. Thanks, Amy
Gigi Ann
What a great tribute to Meryl Streep. She is a one of a kind actress.
Gigi Ann, ABC Wednesday Team
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Gigi! Her body of work is incredible, even though I didn’t feel this Oscar was meant for her, but for Viola Davis. Still, couldn’t resist the Gumm and Gummer coincidence (her real married name!). Amy
Sheilagh Lee
Teo fine actresses that you have captured so well in your prose. Bravo.
Sharp Little Pencil
Sheila, odd coincidence about their real names, huh? Frances Gumm by birth and Mrs. Gummer by marriage! Both fine in their own right, true! Amy
Buddah Moskowitz
Wonderful- had to look up Gummer. I have some bootlegs of Judy at the end of her life dictating her autobio, and it positively tragic and fascinating. Two of my faves – Judy and you.
Sharp Little Pencil
Buddah, that you put me in Judy’s company is my thrill of the day, and I thank you! Bootlegs, you say? Where does one find these treasures? Judy’s voice was like big, bountiful pearls, especially when she sang. That big vibrato; those lungs that could hold eternity in their folds! Love, Ameleh
angelsharum
Unique take on the prompt this week.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Angel! Amy
oncealibrarian
I’ve mentioned you on my Rambles Blog‘s latest posting have and pointed people in your direction. That may mean you have more comments to respond to!
But, to re-iterate what i have said before about that – I don’t think you should feel guilty. There are very few bloggers who will consider it discourteous if you don’t respond and most don’t come back to check for replies. It’s more important that you enjoy your blogging and keep your pencil sharp..
Sharp Little Pencil
You are the third blogger this week who has reminded me of this fact. So I’m going for it, and visiting comments as I am able. Thank you so much for mentioning me – I’ll click that link, definitely! Love to hear from new folks, even as I keep in touch with friends I’ve made along the way… see you in the stacks! Amy
Beriowne
Incisive and insightful post. I always felt a bit sorry for little Franny Gumm. But Mme Streep – a cinema immortal!
Sharp Little Pencil
We should all feel sympathy for Judy, forced into stardom so quickly, had to miss her father’s funeral because she was working. Her mother insisted, and may I take this opportunity to verbal accost ALL stage mothers who deprive their children of a real childhood, the money-grubbing bitches! There, I said it. Go ahead, make my day everyone and jump on me for telling it like it is!
Berowne, you’re also right about Meryl. She and Katharine Hepburn are my two all-time favorite actresses… Amy
brian miller
ha, fun play in the title…and i like the second one better…i think…stardom screws up many very fast…but some provide us with great stories as well…
Sharp Little Pencil
I know the second is more your style, Brian. I simply could not resist the fact that “Mrs, Gummer” won an Oscar this week and that, like Judy, Whitney Houston was another casualty to early fame at the encouragement of a pushy mom. Cissy Houston is very talented, but what mother lets her kid in for early fame, knowing what that means nowadays? Peace, Amy
Meryl
That was so much fun!!! I love the title and the mystery of who this is. It really could be anyone. And I agree, Meryl Streep is “uber” (as my son says) talented! Have a great week.
Sharp Little Pencil
Meryl, you are so lucky to have that name! Unusual, but associated with one of the all-time American talents! Your son is an astute judge of talent, by the way… and my daughter (24) uses “uber” all the time! Amy
Alice Audrey
I had no idea until we hit the last line, but then it all made sense.
Great use of three words. Please read my attempt.
Sharp Little Pencil
Ah, Alice, my secret was safe for you. I’m glad. I’ll check out your poem, and thanks SO MUCH for leaving a direct link in your comment! Amy
Old Egg
It didn’t matter what came later Judy will always be the star that lit up so many lives in the Wizard of Oz. And Meryl, has she put a foot wrong yet? Not in my book I could even stomach “Death becomes her”
Sharp Little Pencil
Wow, that was a stinker of a movie, mostly because of other players… ha ha
I love me some Meryl!! Amy
Carrie
I can’t give you critique since I don’t know much about poetry but I will say I loved your two homages to fabulous actors 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, Carrie, no worries. Love is love is love, whatever the medium, and I agree, these two women are/were exceptional. Peace, Amy
Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio
Marvelous indeed!!! And a twofer at that! By, gum!! : )
and, am also visiting here on behalf of the ABC Weds. Team,
Paula
Sharp Little Pencil
Paula, greetings to all at ABC, and thanks for the prompts. I must tell you, I never, ever write them in advance… but I’m always far down the line because I take so much time in the very writing… thanks!
Sherry Blue Sky
I love these! Poignant, “Judy’s sad silent tune”. Love the Gum and Gummer!
Sharp Little Pencil
That was the final line of the two poems that came through, Sherry, and I’m not surprised you picked up on it. I love Judy FOREVER. Meryl is strong and has lots of familial support; Judy gutted it out with practically no help, just pushiness from her mom. May she rest in peace. Amy
marthateal
I’m just glad your guilt has been lifted.
Sharp Little Pencil
Amen to that, Martha. Thanks, Amy
Jae Rose
Look at all those wonderful responses! I wonder if ‘Judy’ would have been spared her fate if she was allowed to be Frances Gumm..it’s a tricksy business playing around with your name..Jae..j..J.. 😉
Tracy Crenshaw
I love these. Love the flow, and the characters. I can see both so clearly. Beautiful writing!!
whimsygizmo
Amy, you had me at that title. So great.
Lindy Lee
Alliteration appreciated…