Barbetta-Tenth Muse

write now!
Mentor moment:
"It doesn't matter who you are or what you look like
as long as somebody loves you." (Roald Dahl- British author)
Mannequin

She dabbed on blush
Curled lashes to touch
Penciled brows
Perfect appearance
One can never rush.

Her highlighted hair
Cut and combed
to catch, reflect
the aura sun
induce an awestruck stare.

Her clothes enhance
Exercised, disciplined diet
Fashion cover form
A self-sculpted beauty
Nothing left to chance.

The mirror image never pales
A makeup-painted Venus
With sequenced arms,
Diamond fingers
Rainbow nails.

Her quest was for celebrity
A Siren walking streets
Viewed through café windows
Her Cinderella- Prince Charming
dream was not to be.

Illness preempted time on stage.
A friend, an admirer
Came by to offer comfort
He held her ringless hand
He felt the beauty of her age.

On her unvarnished cheek
He bestowed a gentle kiss
Her eyes widened
A sense of new awareness
There were no words to speak.

Tears washed away self-doubt
Wrinkles now were laugh lines
Between flesh colored lips
An innocent smile...
A giggle-soul-shout.

She was Alive!

jlB-
Copyright: John Lawrence Barbetta
Edited post-28 June 2026
Pepin, Wisconsin
just "Love Makes Us All Beautiful" me See less

Time for the annual road trip,
How many smiles can we get on a gallon?

The trip took more than eight decades.
If that seems extremely long, you are new on the trail.
I would gladly be your guide.

Really, you can count on my experience.
It's my memory that might let us down.
Here's my "tech-smart" compromise:
Borrow my old but reliable
"GPS"

Travel-Velocity
(Destination Life)

How do you get there?"
(G) Giggle
(P) Persevere
(S) Savor.
How do you get back?
(S) Savor
(P) Persevere
(G) Giggle.
If you get lost,
"Sorry".
If you have as much fun as I've had,
"Who cares?"
Destination Love.

jlB-
Copyright: John Lawrence Barbetta
On The Road Again-25 June 2026
Great River Road, Pepin, Wisconsin
I am still very grateful for all I have met,
all I have experienced on the journey.
just"Whatever happened to road maps?" me

Who is that inspired person of whom we dream?
Knight of Peace
(Camelot dreaming)

Thought-sharpened words
are his sword
Time-honed convictions
are his shield
His coat of arms exclaims
"All life is valued"
"Never Yield".

Flower, fish, bird and tree
Dolphin, mountain, sea and field
Knight protect and cherish life
Sustain hope
Banish strife.

Through chaos blaze a civil trail
Lead us to the emerald place
after which all caring hearts quest
Shared destiny; respect and grace
Empathic valley, majestic crest
Love light reveals discovery
The common-rare gift and grail
I am beloved You
You are beloved Me.

Copyright: John Lawrence Barbetta
Edited post-9 June 2026
just "Quixotic" me

Mentor Muse:
Michelangelo's sculpture, David, was a visceral inspiration
for "Stone Life".
The cry I hear: "Let Us Be All We Can Be."
StoneLife

Free Me!
I am in here.
Can’t you see?
I am in here.
Can’t you hear?
I’m here.
It’s me
touch me.

Can’t you feel?
Free Me!
I am real.
The craggy lines
that’is my wrinkled face
You can make it smooth.

Sharp chisel imagination
for splitting stone
Rhythmic, controlled strokes
Wipe my dust from your eyes.
Can you begin to see me?
I am in here!

Turn, turn
The tool of compassion
Each blow quick, whisper-even
Blow away the dust of doubt.
Trust yourself.
Can you hear me breathe?
I am here.
It’s me.

Crease gently
my hardened skin.
Reinforcing, shaping impact
There are the lines
There’s the texture.
Form refined
I am emerging.

Touch me.
Can you feel me?
Redefining rasps and rifflers
Inspired, sweeping motion
Emery words infuse the light
Features, folds, hair
Identity revealed.

I am David and the stone
that slew Goliath.
If there is enough of me,
Find his head
Place it at my feet.
If not, no matter
Victory is no less sweet.

I need no Donatello
You sculpt me with your eyes
Young “Michelangelo”,
Can you see my beauty now?
You have won the prize;
Not glitter gold
Nor, quicksilver fame
I am here.
We are free!
We have won Life’s game.

jlB- Copyright: John Lawrence Barbetta
Edited post-2 June 2026
. just "May We ALL Be Free!" me See less