When I lift up
my eyebrows
with my fingertips

like this

and I push back
my cheeks
with my thumbs

like so

don't I look just like that girl
in all those photos
from ages ago?


Now, give me your palms

like this

yes press them to my pulse

show me I am still that girl
as well as everything else.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=cTJdMF8xIIw

Lovely piece. Your reading is quite good, as well.

This is lovely.  Where it goes is a surprise and the right place at the same time.

Rick

Thank you very much, Jay.

Rick, thanks. I wish I'd thought of that comment recently when another's piece did that for me! I might have to quote you the next time.

I had to go seeking Shari-Lyn work!  I find many, many helpful comments, but few places that I may try to return the favor by reading, smiling, reading again, nodding [yes-yes], reading again, listening, and offering this late "ditto to all above praise"

best regards, lynn

Oh, Lynn... thank you. I am rarely (never?) verklempt, but I am in this moment. 

You are more than welcome.  Now, lower limp hand from trembling mouth, dab corners of eyes, left and then right, and post!

Since Lavonne reminded me about a week ago that my front page choice was coming up, I've been finding one favorite poem  after another.  I've gone back and forth any number of times and in the end Shari-Lyn's By All Appearances is my choice.  All of the poems I considered and reconsidered were poems that allowed me "in", poems that connected, poems that my life and experiences could be included, one way or another.  In Shari-Lyn's poem, I love the play going on, the physicality that invites the reader to almost pull and push at their own aging in the same way.  Also, the humor and vitality of the relationship between N and subject isn't told to the reader, but shown.  And the direct simplicity of the moment, the easy flow of the writing -- A pure pleasure for me.

lynn

Yaaayy!! Congratulations Shari-Lyn! Great choice Lynn.
James last week, Shari-Lyn this week --- what a treat!

B.

Great to see this here!

this could very easily have become maudlin and tricky...but you avoided that and ended up owning a very good little poem.  well done.
best...
john

well played!

This hits on all cylinders. Great pick.

larry

Congrats, Shari-Lyn. Enjoyed hearing your voice on the recording, too. Tom

good choice lynn. a fine, fine poem.

james

Thank you, Lynn. I am very happy to hear how the poem connected with you.

Also, thanks to those members who read it, and some additional props to those who also commented.

Much appreciated.

I keep going back and listening to this.
It is probably the most beautiful thing I have heard in years.

I absolutely love this poem.  So sorry I didn't see it until now.

Wonderful job.  I love it.

And the reply below reminds me I haven't even listened to it yet & I'm still in "wow-land" over it.

cheryl

Lavonne, thank you for coming back–  thank you for hearing it. Really.

Thanks, Cherylanne.