Two diverse poems; one brief, one a story that happened long ago. The first is for a prompt for Six Word Saturday, a challenge to my tendency to writeeverycompletemomentexactlyasithappenedinfullmissingnodetails. The second, for Poets United’s Poetry Pantry, a sweet memory of a sweet friend and me, a moment in time I will never forget. Peace, Amy
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The End
Only get one death: Die trying.
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Adapted from earlier poem in “Dance Groove Funhouse” for Six Word Saturday
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Carnegie Hall, 1979
Star and her Satellite
emerge from a cab and
slip through the back door
of the hallowed hall
Tiptoeing past the massive set
being rolled into place by
Popeye-armed stagehands
who sweat for their wages
A page to be turned, this.
Billie bluesed here…
Her voice lingers,
embedded in the polished railings
Judy summoned songs
from the soles of ruby slippers
Her brilliance is burnished
into every column and niche
Now, no longer Star and Satellite,
for this brief moment, we are
simply giddy young singers
eager to trod the boards
Holding hands, the thrill
a vibrating current
running between us,
we pull back the curtain and
step onto the stage of
Carnegie’s great legacy,
the robber baron who bequeathed
this jewel to the masses
Looking up, a million stars
as lights twinkle dimly,
rimming balcony
after tiered balcony
“It’s like…” I struggle for words
to describe this moment.
“It’s like standing inside
a giant wedding cake.”
She grins. She’s headlining,
and I’m only singing backup
Yet, at this sublime moment,
we’re simply two starstruck girls
basking in a pinspot of destiny fulfilled
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For dverse (yes, I really do talk this way) and Poets United.
Sharp Little Pencil 
claudia
i like, i like…
“It’s like standing inside
a giant wedding cake.” – this is great and as i know how it feels to stand inside a giant wedding cake, i know exactly now how it feels to stand in carnegie hall on stage…smiles….really.. great
Sharp Little Pencil
Claudia, thanks so much. I wasn’t sure whether to include an image, but for those who have never been, it really does look like I described. A thrill of a lifetime, setting foot in Carnegie Hall for the first time… onstage! Amy
darkangelwrites
“It’s like…” I struggle for words
to describe this moment.
“It’s like standing inside
a giant wedding cake.” Love that!
Sharp Little Pencil
Exactly the way it happened, too. It’s one of those moments one never forgets. Thanks for stopping by! I’ll reciprocate now… Peace, Amy
souldipper
:Yay for succinct. Well done!
But the poem! By the powers that be, if I was administering that great hall, I’d want to see that poem. It speaks to the utter joy that so many must have felt. So many destinies fulfilled in a pinspot of time.
Sharp Little Pencil
Souldipper, thank you so much for this! A fine compliment – means I’ve described it well, and that’s much appreciated. Peace, Amy
wordcoaster
The first poem reminds me of Dylan Thomas’s “Rage,rage against the dying of the light” and the second conveys the magic of those moments–being inside a giant wedding cake sounds delicious 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Dylan Thomas? My head reels – and yet, it’s true, we should all go kicking and screaming, even at peace. I say our earthly work is never done – but if the lessons are taught, the baton is passed…
As for the second, “delicious” is the perfect word! Sweet! (wink) Amy
vivinfrance
Two magic moments for the price of one! I naturally prefer the second…..
Sharp Little Pencil
Who wouldn’t? The first reminds us of the end… the second, of the LIVING end! Thanks, Viv. Amy
David King
A very cool response to the prompt. Like it very much.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, David! Peace, Amy
brian miller
like standing inside a giant wedding cake…ah, i know this moment well…and it made me smile to feel its energy flow through your words….nicely done….bask on…smiles.
Sharp Little Pencil
Had a feeling you could relate, Brian. Your responses always make me smile! (grin) Amy
Call Me Cate
Nice work! The writing of poetry intimidates me but I enjoy reading it. Your six words are great. Thanks so much for joining in – I just set up tomorrow’s 6WS post.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, that was my first one! I’ll check in now on the new prompt. Peace to you, Cate. Amy
maggie
On your six-worder, effective brevity, quite succinct.
Except that it sends me off wondering what it really felt like last year for a close friend of mine, who had the good luck to die eight times, only to be brought back eight times by doctors who refused to take his word for it. I suppose I’m wondering if I can maybe nag him into coming over to read and comment, perhaps give you a good dissenting opinion.
Sharp Little Pencil
Maggie, Eight times and resuscitated? Did he not want to come back? Does he have a DNR, or is he happy to be back with us?
An intriguing comment, and I do hope he comes over! Amy
maggie
Response collapsed down to the length of your original, not to put words in his mouth but reflecting on things I’ve heard him say –
“Even after eight deaths: die living.”
Completely in harmony with your poem. Thank you.
Sharp Little Pencil
And the conversation continues on email! Thanks, Mag, and pat the baby for me. Amy
macheide
Yes, eight. And it wasn’t that I couldn’t make up my mind so kept going and coming back like the changing moon. I wanted to go and I didn’t want to come back. They kept pulling me back.
And still I agree whole-heartedly – and can say “whole-heartedly” more gravely than most – with your poem of “one death,” both in terms of the ultimate one we all continually live to gain, as well as each “one” of the metaphorical deaths I hear in your poem. Succinct precision!
Sharp Little Pencil
I thank you for your frankness about this and WHAT IS UP with doctors who can’t stand “losing” even if their patient can gain eternity in peace? But maybe there are some plans, some unexpected blessings, coming your way. Who knows? I could get hit by a truck tomorrow. Live in love and the rest takes care of itself, no matter the day or hour… Peace, and many thanks, Amy
Debbie
Amy . . .I think your writing is getting stronger than ever! Loved both of these!
Sharp Little Pencil
Debbie, thanks. The first really has to do with trying to do good while on the earth, but I suspect you already knew that! Amy
Sharon Ingraham
Loving both of these Amy … wanted to thank you also for blazing a trail over on Poetic Bloomings in the interviews (don’t know if you know you were cited in mine this week or not but I do appreciate it …) – you do more good work than I think you realize, both poetically and elsewhere … love always.
Sharp Little Pencil
Sharon, we are sisters in the struggle. Regardless of whether the activism is simply in keeping a good heart, writing it on a blog, or holding up signs (or a bullhorn), it’s all about “occupying” that good place, the hope that one day, the moneychangers will lose and the humble will find a decent place to be. Not in the “sweet by and by” but, as Rev. Ike used to say (old televangelist, a real charlatan but a funny guy) “in the sweet NOW AND NOW!” Thanks, Amy
Chazinator
You do and it sounds pretty good to my ears too. You tell a rich story filled with so much detail that I’d swear itbwas real! Is it? If so, what an opportunity, what an experience!
Sharp Little Pencil
All real. I generally write from reality, or from my mom’s reality, conveyed to me over pints of gin (hers) and black coffee (mine) from the time I was six! A beautiful moment in my life of jazz and blues! Peace, Amy
oncealibrarian
I’ve had no success finding postage costs from US to Uk – just going round in circles. All I can suggst is I send you a cheque and see, firstly, if you can cash it all right and then if it covers the cost of the chapbook and postage. If not I’ll send you the balance! So cheque will be on the way in a day or so and fingers crossed.
Sharp Little Pencil
Sounds like a plan!!! Oy. When I was living in Bermuda, it was a British protectorate, but the currency was the Bermudian Dollar, syncing perfectly with the US Dollar. Will hear from you soon, no doubt, and thanks! Amy
restlessjo
Know exactly what you mean about not being able to tell a story short! Good emotive poem- poor Amy. Catch you next week?
Sharp Little Pencil
Yowza! Thanks, Jo, and thx also for understanding my motormouth! Peace, Amy
yelena
‘Her voice lingers,
embedded in the polished railings’ – absolutely loved this line. your poetry is very lush with expression and memorable. glad to have discovered your blog and many thanks for your comments on mine, Amy 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Yelena, I feel the same, linking to your work. Thanks so much, Amy
MISH
Amy… you didn’t? OMG… You DID sing in Carnegie Hall… what an opportunity! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Yes, Mish, I was on tour with a singer and started out doing wardrobe, then got to sing quite a bit of backup. We had known each other since “back when” and she invited me to come on tour. What a magical moment! Amy
Andrew Kreider
Amy! I love that pinspot of destiny. You conjure this moment so beautifully – youth, awe, excitement, love, MUSIC. I once sang in the lobby of Carnegie Hall, on the way to buy tickets. That’s as far as my New York career got me! Thanks for a great start to my day.
beespoetry
Whoa. Carnegie Hall! After reading your poem, I almost feel like I was there too 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Wish you had been. It was a gas! Amy
Lindy Lee
Congratulations on being on the boards and writing about it so well; could feel your experience, came right off the computer screen into the imagination…
Sharp Little Pencil
Oooh, I love this type of comment. Means I remembered well and in the right proportion of details and story… THANKS! Amy
macheide
*smile* I’ll not get missed. But you’ll recognize on the street as one known for his eight, and I’ll smile to see you, and you’ll have to forgive me my mild word dyslexia when I remember your poem to you by reciting, “Try dying.” You will know what I mean.