#amanda
Tell your daughters how you love your body.
Tell them how they must love theirs.
Tell them to be proud of every bit of themselves—
from their tiger stripes to the soft flesh of their thighs,
whether there is a little of them or a lot,
whether freckles cover their face or not,
whether their curves are plentiful or slim,
whether their hair is thick, curly, straight, long or short.
Tell them how they inherited
their ancestors, souls in their smiles,
that their eyes carry countries
that breathed life into history,
that the swing of their hips
does not determine their destiny.
Tell them never to listen when bodies are critiqued.
Tell them every woman’s body is beautiful
because every woman’s soul is unique and paramount
Like the ice mountain, that everyone intends to climb
For fortune and never body shame a female child.
Sep 21, 2025
Sep 21, 2025 at 3:22 PM UTC
The mind
a priceless gift
immemorial,
however,
flawed
the spirit without
cannot lift.
Oct 21, 2024
Oct 21, 2024 at 1:59 AM UTC
~
August 2023
HP Poet: Amanda Kay Burke
Country: USA
Question 1: We welcome you to the HP Spotlight, Amanda. Please tell us about your background?
Amanda: "It just so happens my HP handle is my actual full name. When I originally signed up on this site it was wordybirdy333 but a friend of mine suggested my real name would seem more professional and I was inclined to agree so Amanda Kay Burke it's been ever since. I am 28 years old physically but will forever be a kid at heart. And I was born and raised in the US; Alaska more specifically. I have to admit I haven't accomplished a whole lot yet in my life, seeing as how I suffer from recurring depression/addiction problems. Which is probably an excuse, but hey everyone has their issues. I have lived in a small town called Willow, AK basically my whole life; I have only been out of state one time (that I remember) but I would love to travel and see the world one day. My mother passed away last year so since then I have been keeping my dad company trying to provide whatever emotional support I am able to. I have a Chihuahua named Mocha and she is my best friend and one of my only friends these days but the few people I do hold close to my heart make my life worthwhile."
Question 2: How long have you been writing poetry, and for how long have you been a member of Hello Poetry?
Amanda: "I have been writing poetry since I was just a kid, probably nine or ten years old, but I remember being eleven when I wrote the first poem that I knew was actually good. I have been a member of HP since April 2017 so that makes six years now huh? Wow time flies..."
Question 3: What inspires you? (In other words, how does poetry happen for you).
Amanda: "Patty m described it perfectly when she said that it feels like they write themselves at least the truly superb pieces do. I don't know where the words come from sometimes they just flow from the pen and when I'm done I read it over and get goosebumps because I can't believe that it came from my hand/brain. But the majority take a lot of effort. I like to challenge myself to always keep writing when I can, even when I have writers block and don't approve of the result. And I always post it eventually just to compare against my other works. (No matter how cringey) those I derive inspiration from my daily experiences mostly heartbreak/relationships/depression/substance abuse I am not very good at writing happy poems I try about nature and other positive subjects but they lack the raw talent and depth of my darker poetry."
Question 4: What does poetry mean to you?
Amanda: "Poetry for me has a very loose definition I have crafted everyday conversations into poems before for instance. I also believe some experiences in life can be considered poetry or at least equates to it in some manner such as making love or the setting sun if that makes any sense to anyone besides me."
Question 5: Who are your favorite poets?
Amanda: "My favorite poets are Dorothy Parker, Ogden Nash, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Leonard Cohen, and Eminem who is in my opinion the greatest poet of our generation by far. After all, rap stands for 'rhythm and poetry'."
Question 6: What other interests do you have?
Amanda: "My other interests are art such as coloring, painting, and I recently received a pottery wheel that I haven't tried out yet. Music is also a huge part of my life, I love writing lyrics to instrumentals, listening to different artists to broaden my tastes, or just singing along to old favorites. I have also recently gotten into online gambling such as slots and blackjack."
Carlo C. Gomez: “Thank you so much for giving us an opportunity to get to know you, Amanda! You are a wonderful addition to the series!”
Thank you everyone here at HP for taking the time to read this. We hope you enjoyed getting to know Amanda a little bit better. I indeed did. It is our wish that these spotlights are helping everyone to further discover and appreciate their fellow poets. – Carlo C. Gomez (aka Mr. Timetable)
We will post Spotlight #7 in September!
~
Aug 1, 2023
Aug 1, 2023 at 2:00 PM UTC
This is to say that Storm Clouds
Are the accumulation of water in the air,
That Hate is the buildup of prejudice and fear,
That Change is when humans grow tired
Of hearing the rain fall on deaf ears,
Watching people with umbrellas wondering
Why those without are getting wet.
This is to call upon Love,
The accumulation of Compassion,
Encourager of Empathy,
The feeling of sunshine when you smile at me.
Hope is the keeper of faith,
Knowledge that tomorrow isn't always the same,
That even in the dark months, sunlight is inevitable,
And eventually we all reach the end of the tunnel,
Hope knows sometimes Change has to Rain down
Upon the lands of dry grass and wildfires,
That floods are a risk when the dirt has lost its purpose,
But new foliage grows where the ground once cried out,
So we may one day sustain ourselves on the land
We thought could never bear more life,
The world we thought could never Change.
Jan 20, 2021
Jan 20, 2021 at 2:57 PM UTC
Autumn is a subtle thief
Moseying in then out so brief
A swift taker of all things emerald and bright
No burglar alarm will keep safe the light
Daring to steal the warmth off your face
A cold Winter the only item left in Summer's place
Sep 20, 2019
Sep 20, 2019 at 11:46 PM UTC
Every time we talk, you wash away the darkness that covers my body from head to toe.
Your kindness and compassion acts like a shampoo; completely cleansing my mind.
Your smile and laughter is like a conditioner; making my face shine with joy.
Your loving lips and your warming hugs blanket me like a body soap; erasing all the dirt and making my heart spotless.
May 5, 2018
May 5, 2018 at 12:03 AM UTC
Her beauty-
stunning like a shooting star soaring across an abandoned night sky.
Her personality-
vibrant as an early morning sunrise.
Her hair-
beautiful as a Christmas snow.
Her smile-
warming like a summer night bonfire
Her lips-
gentle as a baby butterfly
Her skin-
smooth like Mulberry silk
Her thoughts-
endless like a rainbow
Her heart-
mountainous like the Appalachian Trail
Her love-
addicting like a drug
And her laugh-
precious and breathtaking like the 7 wonders of the world
Apr 22, 2018
Apr 22, 2018 at 4:54 PM UTC
A: Adorable
M: Mannerly
A: Attractive
N: Natural
D: Dazzling
A: Active
Amanda,you're a blessing!!
Feb 19, 2018
Feb 19, 2018 at 5:25 PM UTC
Of what violins and vaginas singularly sing,
Is a creation unbound by the vestiges of sin.
A persona unchained by the compounds of life,
Forever in fury, an eternal delight.
Inexorable, inexplicable, impeding time
A fatal addiction for articulate lies.
Lies, in truth, are not what they seem—
Bold, these words are beautiful, and serene.
Twisted entirely by the sleight of a hand
That would never touch the soul, the thought, the man.
By what dreams and nightmares are haunted—
Red lips that can never be daunted.
May 5, 2017
May 5, 2017 at 8:22 AM UTC
My sister, my sister! How I love you so!
A beautiful woman, with a vibrant soul!
Worth a thousand words, and ten thousand more!
My sister, my sister! How I love you so!
You've given me hope and inspired me,
Gave me confidence to come out of my shell,
Show the world the ugly side of me,
Gave me comfort in knowing you didn't judge me.
I get sad when you're sad, and I hug you when I can,
I want what's best for you, for you to be happy.
You're my adoptive big sister, so here's a happy birthday!
From you're adoptive young brother, Jack Jenkins!
<3
Apr 7, 2016
Apr 7, 2016 at 7:41 PM UTC
We held each other so tight,
Hoping in vain
That if we held tight enough
We wouldn't have to leave each other.
Everything came rushing in,
Banging open doors
And showing us all that we forgot
Reminding us why we came together
Why we were.
And now the aching is surreal,
Hard and constant,
Gnawing insides out.
Different from the way I missed him,
This ache is a dear longing for
The smiles all of you put on my face,
The help you always gave me,
My support team.
Thank you for everything.
But I can't say goodbye,
Not now when we've only just go to know each other through and through.
It's
I'll see you later,
And
Good luck with Rajiv ;3
Jun 26, 2015
Jun 26, 2015 at 2:10 PM UTC
Jigsaw
by J.M. Romig, Amanda Whitlock, and Ryan P. Kinney
The first time I watched a man die
It wasn’t a man anymore, they told me
Just like my mother wasn’t my mother anymore
I will never forget the wrong answer
And the empty hours
When the minute hand was always longer
I often welcome sleepwalking through most of the week
In the few instances the machines malfunction
I curse being awakened
I don’t see how anyone
Can smoke at a time like this
When the air is so heavy
It’s like breathing cement
I’m in stressed and panicked misery
And I’m vomiting
Lots and lots of stuff
That stretches vast
And expands to eat up everything
The guilt of my sin
The heft of your innocence
Weighs heavily on my soul
As i drag you down with me
Her lit cigarette burns
So brightly from the porch
Against the darkness
It reminds me of a lighthouse
Or a bug zapper
And what is that moth doing there anyways?
People are trying to sleep
Feb 19, 2015
Feb 19, 2015 at 1:24 PM UTC
Let the birds sing their song,
Let us listen to their melody,
Let's stay up until twilight,
Lying under the stars.
Can you feel the love the we share?
The tock clicks on, yet who cares?
We are more than just the perfect pair.
We are forever, the perfect two.
I don't need to see you to say, "I love you!"
Because you should see yourself through my eyes.
Let the birds sing their song,
Let us listen to their melody,
Let's stay up until twilight,
Lying under the stars.
Can you feel the love the we share?
The tock clicks on, yet who cares?
We are more than just the perfect pair.
We are forever, the perfect two.
I don't need to see you to say, "I love you!"
Because you should see yourself through my eyes.
Dec 1, 2014
Dec 1, 2014 at 10:35 PM UTC
I once told you, Miss,
that your poetry is so edgy
that I cut myself on it sometimes.
Well, I've been reading more
and I feel
at a loss for blood.
A wise man once said,
that what starves us carves us
and I have never been anywhere near you,
but I imagine holding you in my arms
would be either the worst or the best experience of my life.
You've got some jagged bits,
but I bet if you put your best part forward,
you could split a man's heart apart
in the best of ways.
Make him think of you for days after,
caught in the rapture of the pain you bring.
If I could capture a joke out of thin air,
I'd find you and give it to you,
just hoping that maybe it might possibly
make you smile.
'Cause ****
It must be a supernova waiting to happen.
Only the death of stars could live up to such an event.
Sep 3, 2014
Sep 3, 2014 at 10:49 PM UTC
It seemed inviting so I sat on the stool.
It made me uncomfortable the way he started to drool.
This place was a hole in the wall, a run-down that had started to fade,
a place where lovers and drunk heroes were made.
So I called to the bar keep and ordered a drink.
I'd take anything if it helps me not to think.
I downed my first and took a sigh.
I'd rather be anywhere else I'm not gunna lie.
The guy behind the bar clearly wanted to know,
and the anger inside was starting to grow.
"How about another?" said the bar keep.
"I know something that'll help you sleep."
I said "sure," and he passed me a shot.
I felt the bullet slide down. It helped a lot.
I decided that maybe this guy could understand.
I could feel my brain fall through the cracks like sand.
"Pass me another," I said with a frown.
"give me the hard stuff, don't let me down."
He came over and set it on the bar,
I felt the poison settle at the bottom of my stomach like tar.
He simply asked "How are you feeling?"
I could feel my eyes peeling.
"Not to good. I feel like ****
"my family hats me." I could see a cigarette being lit.
"Why'd they hate a nice guy like you?" he said with a smirk.
"maybe its the way I let my feelings lurk,"
"they lurk in the shadows full of anger and sadness."
"Maybe its to hide away all of my madness."
"Thats to bad." said the guy mixing my drink.
he set another toxin down before i could think.
"I didn't order this drink," I said a little confused.
"or did I?" I asked. I'm starting to feel a bit defused.
"Yes you did sir," he said with a smile.
"should i put it on your tab? will you be staying a while?"
"you can tell me more about your troubles."
"but if i keep drinking i'll start seeing doubles."
"don't worry about it, Ill get you a ride,"
"thank you," I said. "you'd be saving my hide."
"Then I'll have one or two more and call it quits,"
"I wont have too much, I want to keep my wits."
"so tell me more about the kids and wife,"
"is that truly what you wanted from life?"
"If they hate you so much, why do you put up with them?"
"Where does their hatred for you stem?"
"Is it what I wanted from life? Maybe not."
"Before our son, we just fought."
"now we do it when he's put and away,"
I don't want to keep fighting until I'm old and grey."
"Where did our wife start to misbehave?" I was unaware he refilled my glass.
I saw a guy outside smoking his grass.
I took the shot and thought about what he said.
"what do you mean 'misbehave'?" I felt as heavy as led.
"Well you know what I mean," said the guy.
"when she starts to cheat and lie."
"she doesn't think that you'll find out,"
"and when you accuse her she'll starts to pout."
"my wife doesn't cheat," I said confidently.
"she wouldn't dare do that to me."
"and why is that?" asked the bartender.
"what would you do if she didn't tell you the truth and surrender?"
"Well i'd-" I paused and pondered what I was about to say.
I wouldn't ever do that, even if our relationship has started to fray.
"I know what you're thinking and man is the bold,"
"but you do have your pride to uphold."
"Some relationship aren't that sweet,"
"some women are just meat,"
"they sleep around here and there,"
"then cry about how life isn't fair."
He set a drink and i took it right away.
I couldn't believe what I was about to say.
"If my wife cheated i'd teach her real good,"
"I'd hit her so much she'd be trying o hide her face with a hood."
The bartender just stared at my for a second and handed me a shot.
I was thinking about what the bar-keep had brought.
I've had six hard drinks and this would make seven.
I could feel myself getting farther and farther away from heaven.
I can't believe what I had just confessed.
I said I would hit my wife. With too much ***** I'm not at my best.
I'm not thinking about what I'm saying.
In my head the thing I just said keeps replaying.
The bartender spoke for the first time in what felt like forever.
"Some women need to be taught a lesson. what ever."
"sometimes it needs to be done,"
"they need to learn that there isn't anywhere to run."
" yeah you're right." I said without thinking.
Im blurting out words without even blinking.
I need to slow down on the drinks.
The bartender then replied, "Maybe you should go to your wife and work out the kinks."
"If she doesn't listen to you then do what you said and teach her a lesson,"
"you need to do it now before she grows in aggression."
"Maybe you should teach your son a lesson too,"
"beat him as well and show him why his anger grew."
"You should go now before your wife cheats again,"
"and before your son steals, so until next time then."
He gave me one last shot and said it was all on him.
I looked around and saw nobody in the bar. It looked rather grim.
I got up and headed for the door.
I stumbled a little. I felt pretty sore.
I saw a girl walk in and sit on my chair.
She started talking to the bartender about how her husband beats her and that life isn't fair.
Like the bar-keep said, he had gotten me a ride.
I wasn't driving so being drunk I didn't have to hide.
He clearly knew that I had been drinking from the way I was slurring.
I was having some trouble seeing. my vision was blurring.
The driver took me home in a rush.
My insides started to feel like mush.
I paid the guy and walked up to the house front.
I unlocked to main door with a grunt.
The door swung open and I stumbled inside.
I slammed the door closed with the strength that I applied.
I will never allow any sort of defiance.
There was a woman's scream and then only silence.
Aug 5, 2014
Aug 5, 2014 at 3:15 PM UTC
Φοβάμαι να σε δω ξαφνικά μπροστά μου, Αμάντα. Θα είναι σαν να γίνεται καταιγισμός από συναισθήματα στο κορμί μου. Θα μυρίσω το άρωμα σου και θα νιώσω πως είμαι στην αγκαλιά σου πάλι, χωρίς να είμαι. θα δω τα μάτια σου και θα θυμηθώ πώς με κοίταγες μετά από κάθε μας φιλί και πως με κοίταξες όταν μου είπες «αντίο». Θα δω την σκιά σου και θα βρεθώ στο στενό που άρχισα να χάνω την ζωή μου καθώς την έβλεπα να απομακρύνεται. Γιατί από την στιγμή που πήρες την καρδία μου μαζί σου, όλες μου οι αναμνήσεις αποτελούνται από σκιές.
Jul 17, 2014
Jul 17, 2014 at 6:45 AM UTC
I learned at an early age
There's things in life that happen you can't explain
I still remember waking up that morning in June
There was pain in my parent's eyes when they broke me the news
They said there had been an accident
And Amanda was badly hurt
I remember the feeling in the air
Because we all didn't know what to do
So we prayed,
I kept thinking in my head she'd be okay
And in the hospital
It hurt us all so bad to see her that way
I have to live with that memory each day
Machines the only thing making her breath
Her hair still curled from the sweet sixteen
Where she spent her last hours dancing and being free
I try so hard to forget her laying there bruised and swollen
Such a beautiful life prematurely stolen
Mar 6, 2014
Mar 6, 2014 at 11:04 AM UTC