Bright Brit (For Alan Rickman)
That smooth sotto voce baritone
A voice for the ages
The prominent proboscis
Teeth that said, “Yeesss, I’m from England”
Slightly sibilant ‘s’
A peculiar British drawl
The singular instrument that was his voice
Hilarious or reserved
Alien or Austin
Wizard or Will Shakespeare
He was all of it, and sublime
We lost a good one that day
but the work lives on
in velvet couplets
and spells cast
© 2016 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Had to come out of the cold to pay tribute to a wonderful man. Alan Rickman was one of my favorite actors. Yes, there was the loss of Bowie, but Rickman’s talents touched me in unexpected ways. I fell in love with him in “Truly Madly Deeply” (no commas in that title – see the film to find out why).
Lex and Riley and I quote his Dr. Lazarus from “Galaxy Quest” incessantly – “By Grabthar’s Hammer… what a savings,” and “…five curtain calls!”
Rickman had the knack of being droll when others were chewing scenery. He was a generous actor and colleague. He stayed true to the same woman for 50 years! Who even does that in the performing arts?!
I miss him. Thanks to ABC Wednesday for hosting my scribblings, the first in months.
Sharp Little Pencil 
Roger Green
I’m SO happy to see you again. the post -Christmas period is stupid busy. As in”I’m SO stupid to allow myself to get SO busy…)
Polly
Good to see you, Amy. Smashing poem and a great tribute to a great actor. I loved him too. xx
Thomas M. Watt
Amy!
rose
what a loving and deserving tribute. what i also enjoyed about rickman (in addition to all your spot-on-amy-savvy-insights), was that he was a far cry from the pretty-boy-a-la-hugh-whoever-mold (you must grant me that), but still most pleasing to behold. xo
gravadee
Lovely read
Shooting Parrots
Good to see you again and a fitting tribute to Rickman I could imagine him speaking the words as I read it.
Melody
Nice tribute… well earned to. Nice post !
Have a nice abc-day/-week
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ <abc-w-team)
mybeautfulthings
I miss him too. He touched my spirit more than Bowie though he too is a loss – and both too young. Lovely to see you back and I love your tribute.
Happy New Year to you,
Sally 🙂
Sherry Blue Sky
Amy, it is always so lovely to read your work. I loved him in that film too….sigh. We are losing so many from that bright golden time. I am feeling old, my friend. I hope you are doing well. I have missed you.
whimsygizmo
Amy, thank you. I love him. And you. And I’m so thankful for this. I have been at a loss for words, and these are perfect:
“but the work lives on
in velvet couplets
and spells cast”
Bad Harry in “Love Actually” is my favorite role of his, besides Snape. He shall live on, every Christmas, for me.
lesliebc
Lovely poem and I knew right away you were referring to Rickman. Too many greats have been lost lately – hope you saw my intro this week.
Leslie
abcw team
ihatepoetry
Ah, your words, as perfect and golden as his tone. Loved this and love you.
leesis
beautiful Amy. I love your use of words.
kaykuala (@hankkaykuala)
We lost a good one that day
but the work lives on
What a wonderful tribute Amelita! You did it most convincingly as there is the special ‘bond’ and not for just an ordinary guy. Great to see you Ma’am!
Hank
tsdwords
Nice to be reading your wonderful words again. I miss him too. Hugs to you! ❤