MY MAN (the texture of his soul)
Jagged thorny corners where
nuns did a number on him
Nearby, a fountain that weeps salt
for this father, gone too soon
On one side, blown glass
Cool to the touch, warming now…
Burlap covers newly planted notions
He will wait for blooms
Devotions in denim, closed eyes
weary after work of worship
A patch of stubble – not 5:00 Draper
but his biting, familiar sarcasm
A kazoo juts out of one side
waiting to play “Bridge On The River Kwai”
Settling in to meditate will be hard
what with all the racket, but he’ll get there
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For ABC Wednesday, brought to you by the letter “M.” Also for the Poetry Pantry at Poets United.
This seemed to be the week to write about Lex, who pastored during a Seder on Thursday, spent quiet time on Good Friday, went to the vigil with me on Saturday, and rocked the church with an amazing sermon on Easter Sunday. Love of my life; man of God; sweetheart of a guy. Trust me, you’d love him.
Sharp Little Pencil 
scriptorsenex
Your eulogy at the end is almost as poetic as the poem itself. May you both grow old together in grace.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, John. Your chapbook and a little extra is on the way – you overpaid in pounds sterling, so I have included a CD as well! Peace, Amy
Debbie
What a beautiful tribute! Thanks for sharing Lex with us , Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, who said I’d share him? Ha ha ha ha Love, Amy
vivinfrance
I think we all have a few jagged thorny corners! Excellent love poem. BTW the River Kwai theme, despite being a WWII film, was originally Colonel Bogey, a march from WWI, written in 1914 – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonel_Bogey_March
Sharp Little Pencil
Aw, and I thought we wrote the words:
THE bridge, over the RI-Ver Kwai
THE bridge, over the RI-VER Kwai
THE bridge, yes I said THE bridge…
Thanks for the Bogey reference. Lex will be interested as well! Peace, Amy
Roger Green
Wide cultural references here, from Kwai to Mad Men – loved ‘5:00 Draper,’ tho I’ve NEVER seen the show!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Rog. Yeah, you don’t have to see the show to know the reference; it’s ubiquitous these days. I appreciate your kind words. Coming over to see you now! Amy
poetcolette
Now you’re speakin’, sister!
Nice write.
Sharp Little Pencil
Colette, you would absolutely love this guy. He was raised mostly by women, his dad having died young of ALS, and he is the most non-anxious presence… love, Amy
oldegg
Small words meaning so much, written with love that allow us to witness the devotion and humour and the bond between you. Stunning.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much, Robin. I think Lex was a little embarrassed at first, but the good old kazoo came to the rescue to lighten things up! Amy
brian miller
ha the stubble, his sarcasm…smiles…love all the little textures of him you give meaning to in this…cool write…smiles.
Sharp Little Pencil
One of those poems I wrote right before sleep, when my dreamiest self is still hanging back from Morpheus. He is all that and a bag of chip! wink Amy
kaykuala
Amy,
Good to know your roots! Not many can trace their lineage.
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Hank, I think you’re talking about the Irish prose? Anyway, thanks. Funny, these stories are from other grams; my grandmother was actually too done in my ECT to tell these, so they are often relayed through my late mother. Peace, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
I already do. You two rock, kiddo! Would have loved to hear that sermon:)
Sharp Little Pencil
C’mon down to Madison! We have a fold-out couch and you WILL NOT be allowed to clean anything – not even dishes! HA! Love, Amy
Tracy Crenshaw
Love this poem. The imagery was wonderful. I’ve been out of commision for awhile, and it is so wonderful to read your poems again. They make me happy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Tracy, sorry to hear you’ve been out of commish, but so glad you are back. Thanks for taking time to comment – you must be swamped. Love, Amy
Lisa
What a lovely testament to your Man. Truly a beautiful way to honor him.
Sharp Little Pencil
Lisa, 14 years and it’s only getting better… I am blessed. Peace, Amy
Anna Gramme (@hypercryptical)
Seems you have a good man there Amy!
Anna :o]
Sharp Little Pencil
Like the song says, “A good man is hard to find/You always get the other kind…!” Mae West does the best version! Amy
Walt Wojtanik
You’re right, I do love him! A great tribute from the heart. (The only way I’ve ever know you to write!) I’m sure his feelings are mutual, ABL!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Walt. Yes, he is a special man… so are you, babe. Amy
Pheno Menon
Very interesting thoughts and the poem itself 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Pheno! Coming to see what you’re up to now… Amy
Pamela Smyk Cleary
Love this, Amy — your descriptions of all his various textures — and Lex, too! How lucky you both are. Happy anniversary to you two (too), and many more. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Pamela. I’m hoping to grow old with this man! Amy