The amazing Joseph Harker of Naming Constellations asked for a personal hymn (or hymns), starting with something we have never heard a hymn written about… it’s a long prompt, so check it out HERE. These are the fruits of my labors, my three hymns in the heart of a Sunday night. I will also post this on Tuesday at dverse Open Mic Night and at Poets United. Thanks again, Joseph. Peace, Amy
Hymn to Her
Trapped in the overgrown patch
called my garden. Titan prairie grasses
tickle the screens, engulf potted plants.
I, the prairie avenger, armed with
scissors, hacksaw, kneepads, and gloves
shape, tame, make symmetry of chaos
forgetting that grasses once ran wild here
long before my aim of a forced, polite posyland.
Blessed are those who walk in Her overgrown path.
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Shrine
This is my shrine
It’s wholly mine
A framed reproduction of Kinkaide’s kitschy two-story clapboard
in muted tones, Photoshopped with images of prostitutes. The
ice cream truck parked out front says “Gone Fishing”;
silhouetted against a shade, Mr. Softee is obviously hard.
This is my shrine
It’s wholly mine
This may seem odd for inclusion in my confusion of a
work space, but, with other talisman… a rainbow glass fish,
pads and pencils, Riley at seven – little hippie in Lennon glasses,
all these stir my imagination, invite the spirit in to dwell within
this sinner.
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Give Me But One Chance
Give me but one chance
to teach another to dance
To look upon others
not as “them” but as brothers
Give me a servant’s hands
fulfilling needs, not commands
Help me to hold close those
whose ribs I can feel ‘neath clothes
Keep me awake, aware
to go where others never dare
Keep me just off kilter
so I possess no societal filter
And thus remind all humankind
our common threads are the ties that bind
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
vivinfrance
They’re all good, but your third one blew me away. A prayer that I should like to keep in my file of specials.
Jack
First hymn was my favorite…weaponized language really built a scene of hands and will against nature.
Third hymn: Seeing “kilter” and “filter” rhymed together, I got jealous. It’s a great pair I never thought of…
pandamoniumcat
Oh these are just beautiful, I REALLY LOVED the first one and the others are like I said beautiful, you are a truly talented writer. 🙂
judithhb
I just love This is my shrine, wholly mine. Thank you
jcosmonewbery
All of it true. The phrase that really caught me was “our common threads are the ties that bind”. If only our powers could remember that. They spend vast amounts of time looking for life in space while spending vast amounts of money trying to kill in on earth.
Sharp Little Pencil
Amen, Cos.
oldegg
“Give me but one chance” has been your mantra all along. You post and I wish I were that strong too. I like your shadow falling over the way I think and feel.
Sharp Little Pencil
Two peas in a pod, Robin, I agree.
brian miller
oh that last one is def my fav its got my heart beat…really great stuff…you even made me chuckle along the way with Mr. Softee is obviously hard…smiles….
brian miller
: P
Sharp Little Pencil
wink, wink
Roger Green
amen, sister, esp the last one.
Mary
Well, I will just add that the third one is my favorite too…and one that would make a great sidebar (or whatever) on your blog so that you and your readers could read it again and again. I would guess that they were written in the order you shared them….and when you wrote the third your mind was really warmed up! Bravo, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Actually, they were written and then “placed.” I wrote the last one first, but I felt it should have the last word… thanks, Mary.
Rosemary Nissen-Wade (@SnakyPoet)
These are all wonderful, Amy. I see why so many love the third best, but it will probably not surprise you to know that I particularly relate to the first. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Of course, Rosemary! Thanks so much. A
aprille
Ever so impressive.
They form a mini trilogy but also stand alone.
Quite a work to be proud of Amy, both in concept and execution.
Kiana@NakedSoulPoetry
Very well put…all three. I really like the imagery in #1, I need a garden of posies to tame!! LOL
Audrey Howitt
I loved the first one Amy–for all of my sense of selfishness–the desire to tame my own garden which runs wild, the recognition of nature’s way, and I loved the third one for all the reasons that I need to feel others in the world
kaykuala
And thus remind all humankind
our common threads are the ties that bind
That sums it all up, Amy! This third one provides the hope and the aspiration towards making good and benefiting mankind! You put your soul into your writing that makes it all the more high powered and imposing. Great write, Ma’am!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Hank, you are so kind. Thank you for this. Amy
lmkazmierczak
All three are superb…you fill needs I never thought I had♫♪
Poet Laundry
Hymn to Her is just beautiful! I especially love the final stanza. Good stuff…and thanks for popping over at my blog 🙂
Sherry Blue Sky
Three lovely writes, kiddo…….but the best lines of all are “And thus remind all humankind our common threads are the ties that bind.” I so love that!!!!! Way to be, kiddo!
Sharp Little Pencil
Sherry, you are so kind! Thanks, hon… A
Sarav
Oh, those three are fantastic–yes, those weeds, they bring you to your knees–and that backthought of, hmm, weren’t they here before my forced poseyland? (love that word) The last one I’m tacking up in my office–keep me slightly off-kilter, so I ain’t got no filter (my country-fied paraphrase) 🙂 Amen, sister Amy!!
Sharp Little Pencil
Sara, you rock. Thanks for the encouragement!! Coming to see you now. A
Bodhirose
Your third hymn is my favorite too…a tender prayer. All of them beautiful, Amy.
Steve E
Number three
these days
is me.
It has been validated to me time after time–on this scooter trip–how “same”
we all–ALL–are. Most Peeps I have met for the first time, these past two weeks. I’ll blog these thoughts of yours, because they are what I have proven to myself as true.
Every town where I’ve stopped, I could have stayed, and had a whole bucketful of friends by evening.
God has put me in touch with many Peeps. They, in turn, have shown me (as I knew) where God IS. Deep down within each peep is that notion, belief of a power shared by all. The more powerful when we reach out and pull the wagon together.
I’ll read your prayer again tonight–because I have a terribly active forgetter. I must see, hear, feel, taste and smell each part of this Universe frequently. It DOES become habitual…being AWARE!
thank you Ms SHARPIE! (You definitely ARE one sharp Peep!)
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, Steve, so glad to hear you had a safe journey. Now looking forward to the fruits of all those visits. There are times I wish I could break out and do this sort of trip, but the church needs me, as does Lex. So I will ride on the back of your scooter vicariously and view the world through your blessed eyes. Peace, Amy
Mama Zen
Shrine made my night. Seriously.
Sharp Little Pencil
Amen, sister. Namaste. Amy
ihatepoetry
Babe, each poem was better than the last . Am printing out the lest one to put on the wall. Love love loved it. Brother Mosk
Laurie Kolp
This is a beautifully diverse presentation, Amy and I love them all… but especially the second one.
Heaven (@asweetlust)
Beautiful and meaningful specially the last stanza ~
Daydreamertoo
These are all so very deep and meaningful. The third is my fav too. A prayer for the world is what we all need.
Polly Robinson
I wanted the Titan grass to be Titian (!) read it so, but Titan is cool (!)
Love the ‘Kinkaide’s kitschy two-story clapboard…’ fabulously evocative …
And can’t resist that Riley makes it into a poem ‘Riley at seven – little hippie in Lennon glasses…’ fantastic stuff Amy ~ all three 🙂
ohcgd
I love the hymns, Amy.
“Keep me just off kilter
so I possess no societal filter”
….wisdom
Annette Mickelson
Well done. I am still working on the prompt. I like the first the best, but the last one has a great stanza with “Help me to hold close those
whose ribs I can feel ‘neath clothes”
rmp
each is absolutely lovely in their own right. I thought the first might be my favorite, then read the second and couldn’t make up my mind…read the third and well it spoke to me, but my favorite…they all hit a chord. in each, the last line just struck perfectly. lovely collection.
tashtoo
I seriously couldn’t pick a favorite if you paid me. Each speak very strongly to me. I love the structure of Shrine, the messages, both in your face and between the lines, all are wonderful. Can’t say it enough! And I’ve found you in the twitterverse…fair warning! 😉
ManicDdaily
Just lovely – all of it – I love Mr. Softee! But I think this speaks to me especially:
I, the prairie avenger, armed with
scissors, hacksaw, kneepads, and gloves
shape, tame, make symmetry of chaos
forgetting that grasses once ran wild here
long before my aim of a forced, polite posyland.
Blessed are those who walk in Her overgrown path.
Beth Winter
Beautiful work. The first one let me snuggle into it, def my favorite.
seingraham
Amy, Amy, Amy – you are an angel here and these should be required singing for earthly, REAL choirs … I don’t have a favourite, or I did but I keep changing – they’re all special and you take my breath away girl … you just do.
http://seingrahamsays.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/every-now-and-again/
zongrik
patch – my overgrown garden…hmmm wonder what you meant by that!
give me a servants hand, so you want the servant, or you want to have those kinds of hands yourself…the ambiguity really makes the line stick
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Charles Elliott
Blessed are those who walk in Her overgrown path, indeed!
You seem to be aware that your ideas of “order” don’t necessarily conform to the natural order of your garden patch at your little house on the prairie. It doesn’t have to be a war on nature if we choose native plants and water in a way more appropriate to your particular landscape.
Your Kincade satire made me laugh, though I bristle at any use of the word “sinner,” since I was born innocent and do not need any redemption. But — hey — that’s just me, I guess, and you may have been being ironical, or even owning that term as one that gives you a wider range of acceptable activity?
“Off kilter” in the third one reminds me of Emily Dickinson’s “aslant.” The poet, I agree, should always try to see the world with new eyes.
Lovely, evocative triple play!
tigerbrite
Well done Amy. The last one is my favourite 🙂
markwindham
I shall agree with Viv; all good, but the third resonates
PJF Sayers
Amelita, these are wonderful. My fav is the third as well, if only we could be that way. You went above and beyond with Joseph’s prompt, which I put in folder for another day. Probably never 🙂
Pamelita
Laura Maria
I absolutely love that third one! It’s something we so desperately need in today’s society.
Thanks for the visit to my blog earlier this week.
Lindy Lee
First & third hymns are my favorites of the three, with warm emphasis on the last two couplets of the third. Amy rises to the command of the prompt…