Two, two, two prompts in one post! Nifty. First is from Six Word Saturday, in which you sum up your life at that moment in… six words. Second, The Sunday Whirl: First, read the poem; then, I’ll give you the words we were given to craft our work. Also posted at the collective, Poets United. Peace, Amy
FOR SIX WORD SATURDAY, A NOD TO MADISON IN WINTER:
Rain, snow, Wisconsin – cold as charity!
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
FOR THE SUNDAY WHIRL:
Making Her Way
Coatless in a sea of ermine and chinchilla.
Unaware of the shadow cast by multimillionaires
who bask in the fullness of their coffers.
She knows that, before this night ends…
- Some facelift will admonish her through plump silicone lips,
“See this meal? The veal is tough. Take it back to the kitchen.” - After Happy Hour, a sloppydroolingdrunk day trader will
spill Merlot on her pristine white apron. - After nine, she will be summoned to a table by the wave of
glistening metal – a prawn fork, most likely.
She herself is a daughter of Big Money,
but she prefers to make her own way in the world.
Waitressing pays for her classes and
postage-stamp-cramped room in Brooklyn.
End of shift, she pulls on jacket and wooly cap
to catch the subway home.
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
The Sunday Whirl Wordle included these words:
White, Returned, Coatless, Shadow, Prefers, Wooly, Daughter, Admonish, Fullness, Metal, Unaware, and Kitchen.
Sharp Little Pencil 
vivinfrance
This reminds me of that Hopper painting, Night Hawks. The image is clear and real in my mind. I would like that girl.
Sharp Little Pencil
Viv, I adore Hopper! Have one of his on pasteboard (most I could afford) in my kitchen – the girl tending the buffet. “Nighthawks” is a favorite. Thanks so much, A.
markwindham
An excellent capture of the waitress. Wordle? What Wordle? Well done.
Oh, and you can have the snow. 😉 I am sure it is very nice, but I will stick to GA. (We will talk again in August)
Sharp Little Pencil
Mark, glad you stopped by. It’s OK to brag about your gorgeous weather, my feelings aren’t hurt… much…. (sniff)
Gonna come check out your blog now! See you sooner than you thought! Peace, Amy
oncealibrarian
Hello, I have offered you the Versatile Blogger Award on the latest posting on my Rambles from my Chair blog. If you care to accept it you simply tell people seven things about yourself and pass it on to seven others. I know some people don’t ‘do’ awards so if you prefer not to I shan’t be offended in any way but am pleased to tell everyone that I love your blog.
Sharp Little Pencil
Libe, you are so kind! I barely get to all the comments and reciprocate visits, so I’m afraid I cannot accept your kind offer. It’s just too much, sorry; my manic depressive PTSD Alphabet Soup cranium will explode! (wink)
Thank you once again for your heartfelt words. Makes my day. Peace, Amy
RJ Clarken
Wow, Amy! Cold as charity? That’s chilly. Also…Making Her Way was brilliant. I totally get it (especially since, in my younger years, I lived in a 4th floor walk-up studio in Brooklyn.) The thing is, you take the wordbrushes and paint these amazing painting which stir the imagination.
Sharp Little Pencil
Randi, “cold as charity” was an expression my dad used, and I’ve never forgotten it. Making her way was a totally fictional person, yet there is so much real-life experience from my NYC years, playing at gigs in the homes of the rich… thanks! Amy
Old Egg
It is great to be a bystander and just look at the picture you have painted from those words.
Sharp Little Pencil
Robin, that is a sweet comment. Thanks so much for the encouragement. I get a lot out of your stories as well… Peace, Amy
julespaige
I can see this clearly…well not the coming from money part, but I like that she is taking charge of her own life… but the space – while not in Brooklyn – I knew someone who had a studio apartment in New York City… probably as big as a walk-in closet in some high, very high end home! Nicely wordled!
I like those last three words of your sixer…Unfortunately the economy makes it hard to give. Time is also valuable – just ask any volunteer.
Sharp Little Pencil
Jules, love all your comments. I spent years in NYC and elsewhere as a singer and pianist, and I remember that MOST of us were starving, but not all. And then there were those who starved by choice because they really wanted to live the creative life, and screw mom and dad’s opinion!
Charity comes in many forms, and the gift of one’s time is one of the warmest forms. Peace, Amy
magicalmysticalteacher
I like this character, because she HAS character! 🙂
A Whirling Half-Dozen
Sharp Little Pencil
Ha, well said, and thanks! Peace, Amy
Debbie
Amy .. . I tell ya, you came back stronger than ever. Your poetry seems to have changed a little, in a good way, but I can’t put my finger on it! God bless you as you write on!
Sharp Little Pencil
Debbie, you know me well. Just pulled out of a deep depression, only to be blessed with some new thoughts and approaches. Wow, you are a careful reader, and I thank you! Peace, Amy
Misky
This one feels angry, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Interesting, Misk. I didn’t feel angry when I wrote it, but I imagine there is a certain resentment that crept in. Lots of this is from my years doing survival work and gigs in NYC… Peace, Amy
brian miller
there is def something to be said of those willing to make it on their own,, regardless of the circumstance…and amazing how people will treat others without ever taking the time to know them…
Sharp Little Pencil
I know a few “trust fund babies” who went against their parents’ will and pursued the arts. They may not have been successful, but they were happy, and we all had each other, so if one person was broke, someone else would buy dinner! I admired that in young people who could have coasted… thanks, Brian! Amy
brenda w
I love it, Amy. Always respect your servers. Always.
Sharp Little Pencil
I always tip extravagantly, Brenda. When I was dating Lex, I noticed he had the same habit – made him more attractive in my eyes, that type of care and generosity. Thanks, hon! Amy
Tilly Bud
I came back to this because I didn’t have time to leave a comment last time.
I like this girl so much. I like the contrast of two lives with her as the bridge. I like the bullet points – never seen it done in a poem before and now I’m itching to try it!
Did I mention: I like this poem?
Sharp Little Pencil
Gee, Linda, I wasn’t sure of your reaction, LOL. The bullet points came to me as a way to accent the list as opposed to rest of content. I would have simply indented, but I wanted the “menu” nature to come out… thanks! I like her, too. Peace, Amy
Lindy Lee
“Madison in Winter” makes one shiver with sympathy.
“Making Her Way”? A touch choice for independence…