Of Love and More
First love lost; ‘twas not worth keeping
(or it’s cheap red wine a-speaking)
Then came city boys who gave
me lessons: How To Misbehave
(Married, briefly
Much grief, chiefly)
Then I found a righteous man
Values, charm; he had a plan
Liked my daughter, and loved me
She saw “dad,” I saw me
Going for another marriage
Diff’rent style; no horse-drawn carriage
Love was true that second time
Faithful, solid, and sublime
Now I know what life has taught:
Love is cheap when cheaply sought
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Kerry O’Connor at Imaginary Garden With Read Toads was celebrating the August birthday of poet Sara Teasdale. Reading Teasdale at first seems dated; but, like many poets, she has wisdom in those couplets and free-form writes. I read some of her poetry, per the prompt, and was inspired to tell the story of my rough-and-tumble path to Lex.
Also in the margins at my poetic love nest, Poets United! Peace (and real love), Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
Sherry Blue Sky
You nailed the Teasdale voice in this poem…..I love it.
Sharp Little Pencil
You really think so? Wow, thanks. Just picked up a volume of Sara and one of Mary Oliver at library… Love, Amer
Polly Robinson
Ain’t it the truth …
Sharp Little Pencil
Oooooh, yeaaaaaaah, as George Takei would say! Amy
mybeautfulthings
A beautifully simple telling of found love. Thank you. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much… it really was that simple! I still have to pinch myself, and it’s been 15 years. A
coalblack
I’m glad you and your daughter found him!
Sharp Little Pencil
So are we. And so is he, Shay! Thanks, hon. Amy
Lisa A.Williams
To finally find the love which one deserves, so sweet!
Sharp Little Pencil
Lisa, a sweet comment. Thanks, A
LaTonya
How much we have in common. I’d like to write as well as you.
Sharp Little Pencil
LaTonya, it’s like Buddah Moskowitz, my “brudda from anudda muddah.” You and I have a kinship, a mutual admiration society. Your poems of late have been little masterpieces; those one-line works are packed with power! Amy
Grace
I like the rhyming couplets and that last one is food for thought ~ The lessons we learned along the way are priceless ~ Its work and work to make the marriage solid and faithful ~ Lovely share Amy ~
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Grace. I think you know by now that forms are NOT my thing, but somehow this fell into place. And yes, it’s all about the journey, isn’t it? Makes you appreciate the outcome so much more. Amy
Roger Green
great ending, in particular.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, kind sir. Peace, Amy
Susan
Absolutely GORGEOUS!!! A poem for my “can’t live without” file. And very Teasdale indeed.
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, Susan, what a lovely compliment. Thank you very much! Amy
clarioretenebris
Is Teasdale’s language and phrasing old-fashioned? Oh utterly! Denise who has memorized more of Teasdale than I’ll ever get around to reading keeps reminding me to think of it like I’m reading a poem written in ancient Greek – yeah, first I need to translate it since nobody except Bryn Mawr sophomores speaks ancient Greek anymore; but beyond the translation, all those lines break down and we’ve all felt what Teasdale has gone through. Your poem here proves that quite well. ✒Cyn
Sharp Little Pencil
Cyn, I am not used to writing in this style… the challenge was to go all Teasdale on everybody, so I consider this a great compliment.
Having never been to college, let alone Bryn Mawr (alma mater of Katharine Hepburn), I cannot even imagine translating something from Greek, nor am I wont to go back to poets before Emily D. I really appreciate this. Thanks! Amy
Kerry O'Connor
How wonderful that you explore your journey, as Teasdale so often did in her poetry. I love the couplet form you chose and that last line resounds.
Sharp Little Pencil
Kerry, this was a wonderful prompt, and the story of Sara Teasdale, as well as examples of her poetry, made me go to the library and take out one of her collections, as well as a Mary Oliver! Thanks for the comment on the couplets, as you know I’m not known for forms… Peace, Amy
oldegg
You are so honest in your writing. I am happy just to trot along in your shadow.
Sharp Little Pencil
Robin, you are a weaver of both prose and some of the most romantic poems I’ve come across. No shadow for you – let it shine!! Amy
Sreejit Poole
wow, this is an awesome poem. love it
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Sreejit. coming your way now! Amy
on thehomefrontandbeyond
like this a lot – LouAnn
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, LouAnn. Crap, I think I called someone else by your name. See, I told you, mind like a steel sieve… (blushing shame-face) Amy
on thehomefrontandbeyond
I have the same trouble–hope they were not insulted — ha ha
Sharp Little Pencil
LOL and blushing on your behalf.
Paul Andrew Russell
Lovely writing, Amy. I like happy endings. Having two failed marriages behind me, I like it when people find love and live happily together. 🙂 It makes me smile and feel good inside.
Sharp Little Pencil
I won’t say “sorry” about the two divorces, because I found my divorce made me a healthier person. I’m finally back to being friends with him after many years of rancor (when you have a child in common…). I’ll hold out hope that you’ll find another love, because it really is challenging, stimulating, and a whole lot of fun to be married to your best friend. Peace, Amy
Hannah Gosselin
Oh,…sorry to hear about the haunter…no good.
I love the flow of this, Amy and your last two lines have me nodding my head in agreement…such truth and simply stated as Teasdale would have done. 🙂 and ♥
Sharp Little Pencil
Hannah, The Stalker is now being sent to spam, no worries. Actually, I checked out his blog and no one comments or seems to read it, which is sad, pathetic, and a good thing, all at once, if you know what I mean. Hate doesn’t deserve a following.
For you to say that this fit the Teasdale bill is thrilling, Hannah, and I thank you very much! Amy xoxo
Hannah Gosselin
Oh, Amy…your heart of compassion is so touching…even in those that mean for harm there’s a tinge of hurt for them… ♥
I’m so glad that my comment brought you joy, Amy!
♥ Hannah
Sharp Little Pencil
Frankly, just seeing you in my comment queue make me smile, Hannah. You are a wonderful poet and your comments always lift me up.
And yes, the hurtful ones do have their regrets, of that I’m sure… That’s when forgiveness kicks in, right? xo Amy
ihatepoetry
Brilliant, my dear, just brilliant!Love ya, Mosk
Sharp Little Pencil
Why thank you, brudda mine! Love you back. Ameleh