This is black. That is white.
This is salty; that is sweet
This is acceptable, that is not – certainly not
On and on, the ubiquitous, despicable binary
What if it’s both?
Black and white certainly merge into facets of grey, each with its own weight, its own texture, its own meaning
Ansel Adams: If he had only captured the lines and borders, now there’s a shame
Leave the salt out of a cake recipe? You’re missing the contrast, the brightness of the sugar
One person’s “acceptable” is another person’s anathema, and we each shout the anthem of offense
And so we all know the unchanging ultimatum:
This is a man! That is a woman!
But what a waste to write off the in between, the third way
Those who see the world as dazzling
Scintillating
Evolving
Can we not embrace the traditional blue of the boys as well as the pink we have assigned the girls?
This is my way
That is yours
Our paths shared, intermingled, and ultimately celebrated
And no one, absolutely no one is wrong
© 2024 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For What’s Going On, Sherry Blue Sky asked us to go to town on contrasts, on comparisons… at least that’s what I got from her prompt. Please visit the blog and click on the poets who have contributed their unique takes!
Sharp Little Pencil 
Sherry Marr
“We each shout the anthem of offense” – how apt that line is. So much offence everywhere, no civility. Sigh. I love those who see the world as dazzling. I suspect I am one of them. The beauty of the world, that is, which is why it pains me to see how unevolved humanity is at this point in time. I love your “all paths shared” closing of your poem. We are a long ways from it. But it is a wonderful aim. Thanks for linking, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
As always, Sherry, you get the bigger picture. I believe the powerful marginalized people, but it’s up to us to be better, to question that notion!
Mary
I too believe all paths should be celebrated. Every person’s way is right for them. That is what matters! I always enjoy it when you join us, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
Amen, Mary. It’s gonna take a lot of love!
susanstoo
“. . . the ubiquitous, despicable binary . . . ”
A great “argument” for enjoying the shades of grey. I love your use of Ansel Adams!
Sharp Little Pencil
Ansel Adams… I follow the Instagram feed dedicated to his work. Thanks!
Rajani Radhakrishnan
“we each shout the anthem of offense” – This is a much, much needed poem- we cannot live in a world of binaries, we have to embrace the grey. Prejudice comes from not seeing it. Very well said.
Sharp Little Pencil
If we perpetuate intolerance, we abet rich and powerful pp in tearing apart the common people through fear and prejudice. Thanks, Raj, for always seeing the social implications.
dorahak
Loved this analogy: “Leave the salt out of a cake recipe? You’re missing the contrast, the brightness of the sugar” — So much sharp and tender encouragement for tolerance.
Sharp Little Pencil
I became a baker years ago. Every movement of creation of food is both lively and deeply political!
Sumana Roy
“What if it’s both?”…I think this is the answer to all that’s eating our vitality. “Black and white certainly merge into facets of grey, each with its own weight, its own texture, its own meaning…” this line is the soul of the poem. Beautifully put.
Sharp Little Pencil
Eating our vitality… what a powerful notion! And yes. I love for the greys, the interconnectedness.
alan1704
Our paths shared, intermingled, and ultimately celebrated – great line to a very interesting poem and well written
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Alan. We share a particular path when we share our thoughts and our poetry.
Eileen O'Neill
Amy,
You’ve addressed so many facets of life these days….it’s almost impossible to describe the beauty seen in a single flower, without inadvertently offending someone else.
I pray that a simple cup of tea can be left alone for the simple pleasure it gives….and if not, then to pass on by…
(Loved your comment at my poem…grandmothers had that tea-making charm 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
We have developed thin skins since, especially since the Trump reign of terror. We need to be fearless in our embrace of The Other. And yes, my grandma… she saw the value in simple things. Thanks, Eileen.
drpkp
Standing on a chair on one foot, banging a tambourine for Amer and all the dazzle of the inbetween. Kudos kiddo!
drpkp
Oh… PS .. just as an aside an ode to simple things is the film Perfect Days!
Susie Clevenger
There is so much in the space between, the boot of adamant declaration my definition is the only correct one. Love this poem!