Remember When
There you are again,
curled up, pretzel-thin.
Still wondering why
he won’t say goodbye.
Daily you’re a doubt.
Half laughter, half pout…
Therapist listens.
Talent glistens,
but for whom?
Since the womb
you’ve been easing
into people pleasing.
Why not relax?
Reconsider Xanax?
You think it’s almost over?
Baby, run for cover.
Hate to burst your bubble,
but you’ll be causing trouble
long after you’ve gone grey,
long after this dark day.
Looking at your through
this mirror of new,
I see you back then,
knowing you’ll remember when.
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For Poetic Bloomings: Let your future self advise you in the NOW.
Also for Sunday Scribblings: Suspended reality or fantasy.
Sharp Little Pencil 
purplepeninportland
Rumbling rhythm as usual. Great poem, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, PIP! Rambling, like that… Peace, Amy
Old Egg
Yes, this certainly had a zappy beat to it and I hated her. People pleasing? I doubt it ,she was pleasing herself surely! (I hate being picky but should that be “you” in the penultimate stanza?)
Sharp Little Pencil
I’m looking back at myself from years in the future, so “you” is “me” or “I” or “myself” or “schlemiel,” depending on the context!
vivinfrance
Excellent poem, Amy, containing so many truths relevant to most of us.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Viv. I’m hoping it comes to pass that I can indeed look back at my “now” self and see these things… Peace, Amy
Jae Rose
There is a chase for something in these verses..a clear and steady head perhaps..a body nourished..but maybe it takes knowing to look in the mirror and see change..from then to now..I hope..Jae
Sharp Little Pencil
From the future to a tenuous now, Jae, following the prompt to look back at your NOW self from later on… hard prompt! Peace, Amy
brian miller
def dance in your words….daily youre a doubt….nice line that and says much…hell on wheels…smiles.
Sharp Little Pencil
Brian, I love your smiles. I do smile back when I read them! Rhymes came out of thin air, hooray! Peace, Amy
tigerbrite
This flows really well and I love the rhyming. Intriguing prompt of self analysis. Second to last stanza, first line you(r) ? Blessings.
Sharp Little Pencil
YES! You nailed it, I am looking in a “mirror” from the future. Confusing use of pronouns, I know. Thanks! A
Sherry Blue Sky
I LOVE this! Cool prompt idea!
Sharp Little Pencil
This one took a lot of thought… then suddenly, not so much thought. Know what I mean? (wink) Amy
Andrew Kreider
Great postcard to the past, Amy. My favorite couplet is: why not relax/reconsider Xanax? That may be a first in poetic lore – love it!
Sharp Little Pencil
Had a couple of observations about Xanax, Andrew, and love yours. It’s the old “throw drugs at it” vs. “this person NEEDS the meds” argument! Peace, Amy
zongrik
great rhymes
withered wanderer
Sharp Little Pencil
THanks, Z, and thanks for leaving a direct link! Love when folks do this… see you on the flip side… peace, Amy
Jennifaye
Choose “ReLax” over Xanax. Cheaper and no side effects.:)
Sharp Little Pencil
Touche! Unfortunately, not all of us are born with the raw materials to seek help, through therapy, yoga, meditation, or other practices. I try very hard to keep my yoga and prayer/meditation regime on track, but sometimes, life does overwhelm and when you need it most… that bad DNA throws my balance out of whack! So it is with the manic-depressive/PTSD poet…
Great comment, and thanks! Coming over to see you now! Amy
Jennifaye
I wish you well, Amy. Continue writing and sharing your poetry. You are gifted.
Sharp Little Pencil
Jennifaye, that is a beautiful compliment coming from you. Thanks so much! Amy
Sharp Little Pencil
If I don’t take Xanax to relax, I end up needing Ex-Lax, ha ha ha. That particular rhyme will probably be my defining moment in poetry; everyone has something to say about it! Q’uel apropos… Amy
kaykuala
Your rhyming is fantastic, Amy! It’s so refreshing as opposed to so many other free verse. And a journey through times is good reflection to something different to think of for what’s in store in future! Great!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Hank, you know me so well, and the truth is this: When I write in rhyme, it’s because that’s how I heard it in the thin place between myself and Creation. If I don’t hear the rhyme, I just ride the wave. I appreciate the comment, very nice! (wink) Amy