Refractions
Recounting the reflexes
that led to down and out.
Remembering that December,
the thin coat, the glances
of passersby wondering why
the girl who was talking
to herself had not found
a warm shelf on which to perch,
the chilled canary fairy without wings.
Ruffles her feathers that they might
have thought of her so.
Regretting the rejection by men
after they’d had their fill, having
sucked her soul from within its
sand castle, the frailty of her ego.
She winding-wanders on but
pauses at odd moments to reflect.
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
National Poetry Month, Day Three! One more take on Sunday Scribblings’ prompt, Reflect. Also hangin’ with my kin at Poets United: Scroll down their right column and meet some amazing poets! Peace, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
vivinfrance
This is beautiful, Amy – some wonderful images and word play.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Viv. Some of it was me in The Bad Old Days, much was influenced by my experiences with fellow mentally ill folks. Peace, Amy
Poetry & Icecream
This is great Amy. I love these lines “the girl who was talking to herself had not found a warm shelf on which to perch”. Excellent 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Norma, it’s weird, but that line came to me, in fact the whole poem, after yoga and prayers and right before sleep. That time of night when I’m least guarded often yields my favorites. I appreciate your coming by and your comments! Peace, Amy
jaerose37
There are some things that come with you on each step forward…it must seem like the simplest thing.. from the outside..if you are cold..find warmth..but you just can’t see it..when you are there..the need..or the warmth..bit by bit..step by step..Jae x
Jae Rose
There are some things that follow you on the path forwards..you illustrate how baffling it must seem from the outside..if you are cold..find warmth..but when you are there you can’t..find warmth..find what you need..bit by bit..step by step..Jae x (ps apologies if this is a duplicate comment..)
Sharp Little Pencil
Jae, getting a duplicate comment from you is like having a second helping of dessert, so don’t apologize! Thanks for understanding that primal need, even when it comes in dribs and drabs, it’s all the more treasured for its constancy. Love, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
“chilled canary fairy without wings”. Fantastic, Amy! I can see her.
Sharp Little Pencil
Sherry, I’m glad you liked that. I wasn’t quite sure, but since this was one of those just-before-sleep poems that came at an unguarded moment, I thought I needed to hear the phrase as much as anyone else. STAY WARM! Love, Amy
Lance
This is amazing: “Regretting the rejection by men
after they’d had their fill, having
sucked her soul from within its
sand castle, the frailty of her ego.”
great work
Sharp Little Pencil
Lance, thank God this is not (entirely) me! So many women I know define themselves through their current man. When the relationship falls apart, they have given everything to the man, and he takes it with him. UGH! Spare me THAT loss, right? So glad you like my blog! Peace, Amy
ihatepoetry
Loved the self-portrait here. Not self-pitying, but an honest look. If we don’t look back how we got here (especially if it’s not the best place), we’ll never learn how not to get there again.
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, brutha, I tried to get away with saying it’s not entirely me, and then you go and spill the beans! Ha! Serves me right for having a friend who knows me so damned well, right? And I hope I never “wallow” in my poetry, that I simply state “just the facts, ma’am,” and then elaborate on the emotions behind them. Regret has a large room in my psyche, but I gave up the pity parties for Lent, like, 28 years ago and never looked back! Your sistah, Ameleh, and Happy Pesach!
Evelyn
I was going to do my usual copy and paste but honestly, this is seamless.
J’adore this.
Sharp Little Pencil
Evelyn, what a lovely comment. I really appreciate it. Leave me a link to a favorite poem next time, OK? Peace, Amy
purplepeninportland
“chilled canary fairy”, “winding-wanders on” Those are just two of my favorites, but I love the entire poem and its feeling.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, PIP. To tell the truth, those were the two best phrases granted me by the ever-flowing spirit of creation… Peace, Amy
oldegg
Sad but beautiful introspection. Sometimes writers write fiction and at other times write about themselves. It matters not which as the feelings evoked are far more important.
Sharp Little Pencil
You know me well enough to realize this is, indeed, truth. Thanks, Robin. Peace, Amy