WHERE’S MY PENCIL?
My main ambition
my true volition
is to drain my head
through the lead
of a Ticonderoga #2
with poems, bright or blue
While others try
to paint a sky or butterfly, I
pollock my journals
with words scrawled above urinals
and turn folks off with truth
about dads, late nights, and vermouth
Social injustice feeds my need
I write with deliberate speed
before the thought goes awry
(my steel-sieve mind is known to fly)
And just when they think
I’m on the brink
of a total implosion
or mental erosion
I’ll come back with one
about how clowns aren’t fun
or talk to the president, poet-to-man
because drones still rule Afghanistan
Frackers, have fear
Amy’s still here
Secret Service, kiss my ass
I’ll face you again before I pass
And Blanche, my angel of mystery
Keep on sending vibes to me
I write to prove
I’m in the groove
The straight girl who’s an ally
to every queer woman and guy
I write to say,
“I’m here today”
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
for dverse, Brian Miller’s Pretzels & Bullfights wanted a poem about why we write. Me? It’s all about the bitching and the truth-blood-letting and the mental illness and the child abuse… and making it understandable for those who either have experienced it or need to understand.
Sharp Little Pencil 
brian miller
pollock my journals
with words scrawled above urinals
and turn folks off with truth
about dads, late nights, and vermout…smiles…we are not that much different you know…ha…love the words above urinals…and hey the truth is what we have to work with…i have a huge social justice heart myself as well…so many to touch and help and shed light on…and i write to say i am here today as well…
be sure to drop this in OLN tomorrow so it gets read…smiles.
Sharp Little Pencil
Brian, that last comment was one of the best compliments I’ve received on this blog. Bless your heart for the social justice part, too… You rock. Amy
Susie Clevenger (@wingsobutterfly)
So many reasons to write…love yours. I too shed light on social injustice…One them I often write on is abuse.
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, yeah, Susie, I know this for sure, you are with the cause. Commitment to social justice in any form makes for powerful poetry, too. Peace, Amy
georgefloreswrite
Loved it, especially the “pollock my journals” part. I’ve seen poems read in a rap-style and this reminded me of them. Hope you’re well!
Sharp Little Pencil
George, thanks, I’m just getting past an AWFUL depression, which made writing this a real triumph. And yes, the “pollocked” part just came out of nowhere! Amy
georgefloreswrite
I am too! I recently came back. Sometimes us turtles just need time alone in our shells. Don’t worry about stopping by my page, I’m just glad to see your poems again. Peace.
vivinfrance
A powerful raison d’être, Amy, and you sure do fulfil it! I didn’t understand the word pollock (to me that is a kind of fish!) but loved “(my steel-sieve mind is known to fly)” which could be me talking!
Polly Robinson
Oh wow … You sure are ‘…here today’ so they’d better look up, ‘eh Amy? I love the rhythm, rhyme and tone in this poem, perfect 🙂
kaykuala
You present it all like it is. No mincing of words and none that is taboo. I like that Amy! They would have to accept it even if it is driven down their throats with all the bitterness. One man’s pill can be sweet or bitter that’s the whole point. And every one is vulnerable and subject to such onslaughts. Great write, Ma’am!
Hank
Laurie Kolp
… and you do a great job of it, Amy!
Herotomost
I’m an Ally as well…and this is straight up talk that I like to hear. Live or die on your heartfelt values. They talk about wearing emotions on sleeves…f*&% that, lets make some pant suits out of emotions and go to the party, when people ask us about the get up we just sing “candy colored clown they call the sandman” and leave it at that. Loved this a heap.
margaretbednar
is to drain my head
through the lead
of a Ticonderoga #2
..and the lines Brian highlighted. You make the world a better place, Amy.
Lance
GET> OUT > OF MY HEAD!
That opening stanza is what comes from the voice in my brain everytime I write. and we use the same pencil. Tico #2s are the end all and be all. Love the picture. But the profound words spoke to me and through me.
Sherry Blue Sky
I love the passion in this poem, Amy. We are all the richer for your pouring of thoughts onto the page. Keep shining! Your words help light our way.
Mary
I like the idea of writing to show you are here today. That is one of my reasons to write too. My presence is made known SOMEWHERE when I write. Other things may fade away, but my poem will stay.
I also like the idea of draining your head through a Ticonderoga 2 pencil and the idea of pollocking your journal.
Lots of good stuff in your poem today. Glad YOU are writing!
Buddah Moskowitz (@ihatepoetry)
Let your flag fly! I’m there with you – sometimes its injustice, sometimes its gratitude . Either way, never stop – but I don’t think you can Ameleh! Love el Mosk
ladynimue
And I love your writes just the way they are !
Stay blessed and so so awesome 🙂
Tatius
I like your poem Amy and the truths in your thought
Wyeth Bailey
I love this! I’d love to hear you read it out loud. It made me smile, then feel weak in the knees, and when it was over I could imagine it might be possible to feel EVERYthing without it destroying you, to actually be happy. I love your energy.
kimorlisa
I can relate so much to this poem and I love the pollack reference, it almost slipped past me, LOL
Gretchen Leary
Love it. You are here today and strong.
heidi
Kick Ass Amy! As my daughter would say “looooved it!”
kimnelsonwrites
And I am so glad you write, no matter the reason why. You are a brilliant mind, light, woman.
Susan
I just have to repeat what Brian said and everyone else too. I am an ally and a social justice storyteller, but I cannot not condense the why of it thee way you do here. This is a banner, a bio, a beauty!
patriciaspreng
Love it. Yes you are… yes we are. Freedom in speech… love your pencil.
ManicDdaily
Yes – agree with Brian – and so many great words here – – pollocking the journals a favorite, but let’s give a nod to Blanche also. Very clever, and ardent too. (And these don’t always accompany each other.)
Talon
I love this! It made me smile and it made me appreciate the words and colors I play with every day.
Altonian
And aren’t we glad to have you around, dear Amy. Keep that pencil sharp – very sharp, so as to match your mind.
Stan Ski
That was just so refreshing… Nice one…!
Mama Pajama
right on, huzzah, and thank you!
lucychili
congratulations on kicking depression and on your real engagement with the mayhem of the world.
zongrik
words scrawled on urinals? wow, that’s some inspiration!!
i like pouring it out with my ticondoraga.
Kelvin S.M.
…you def rock in this Amy… good to you to define your purpose in writing… as for me… ah i dunno… just woke up one hot, sweaty morning in April…took a stare at clouds…and realized i wanted to write… smiles…
purplepeninportland
I don’t know where to start. This is fabulous, Amy. from `pollock my journals’ to `social injustice feeds my need’. This is a winner!