Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Magpie Tale #40, "Mother's Pearls Remembered" & 53/365


(March 30, 2011... I have entered this poem in One Stop Poetry's "One Shot Wednesday".  This is my post of November of 2010 and one of the first poems I ever wrote.  I apologize if any of you have already read this, but I felt like putting it out there again.)


This is my first poetic entry to Magpie Tales. (#40, November 10) The following poem's form is Acrostic - which is where the first letter of each line spells a word, usually using the same words as in the title.  Please click on the above Magpie Tales link to see the beautiful photo of pearls that inspired the poem below as well as the other amazing poetry.

The costume jewelry in the above photo is actually quite old.  It was given to my mother from her mother.  My mother is still alive and gave it to me upon my last visit.  I look forward to wearing it.  I also entered it in the Sunday Creative Challenge for the word "material".  There is black & white version below the poem.  Which do you like better?  I have also entered this poem in Thursday Poets Rally Week 37.

Mother’s Pearls Remembered
by Margaret Bednar

Memories come flooding back
On the anniversary of my Mother’s death
Today as I place these gems around my neck
Hoping to feel her presence
Entertaining the idea of 
Replicating her elegance in me
Stillness envelopes my soul
Perhaps it will be enough that they remind me of her
Enhanced by her inner beauty am I
As her physical beauty faded with time
Resplendent these icons stood guard
Lustrously gracing my mother’s neck
Standing watch as she breathed her last
Reflecting her eyes, their bluish tinge
Every shimmer adding beauty to
My appearance this day
Enormous love floods my being
Memory recalling her wisdom and
Bright engaging laughter
Every life lesson learned I from her
Recalled in this ornament which surrounds my neck
Eagerly I approach this day, celebrating
Desiring the true beauty these pearls represent 


Below is a B&W photo I submitted to the weekly photo challenge for  Black & White Wednesdays:



37 comments:

Tess Kincaid said...

This is the most beautiful acrostic I've ever read. And I think your mother is smiling.

Welcome to the Mag!!

Kay L. Davies said...

I read this and enjoyed it, and was glad you said your mother is still alive, because mine isn't. Then I remembered something about Mom, one little thing, and tears came to my eyes. Treasure your mother because, when mothers are gone, the treasures they leave us are less than the treasures they were to us.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Friko said...

This is a really lovely poem. It might be an idea not to read it to your mother!

Justine said...

what a beautiful poem, truly lovely

Margaret said...

Willow - A "thank you" does not even begin to express the gratitude I have for such high praise. I almost didn't participate -almost didn't try as I thought there was no way I could do it. I hear myself tell my chilrden to "Do your best and just try" and then most of the time I don't heed my own advice. I've been very happy all day - I tried and I succeeded.

Kay - Good poetry does evoke an emotional response - and I am honored that mine did. And I agree with your advice.

Friko - I visited your blog and really enjoyed myself. I have so much to learn and I think I will benefit browsing through your poems & photos. LOL, I think I posted a disclaimer - she is still alive and treasured. ;)

Justine - Thank you. Your encouragement with my photography has meant a lot and I have learned much and gotten many ideas from your beautiful blog.

Kelstahz said...

Beautifully done!

Lisa said...

WOW! Beautiful Poem...It makes me think of my fathers glasses. I have them sitting on my desk and put them on every now and then to see if I can feel his face in mine. Sigh...very beautiful and the photo is nice in black and white.

PS ~ love your blog! I hate laundry and house work too. sigh...why can't we stay at home moms have a wife too :) I would much rather post, play with kids and eat cookies.

Helen said...

This is awesome! A ton of talent is required for this poem form. You nailed it.

Kristen Haskell said...

What a truly beautiful tribute. Your poem is lovely.

Unknown said...

the way that this all falls into place and flows so beautifully is amazing!

well done

Margaret said...

Kelly, It was great fun - and I'm glad you liked it.

Lisa, your reference to your father's glasses sent a wave of emotion right through me. Thank you for sharing something so beautiful.

Helen, your praise shocks me as this is my first real poem. Let's see if I can nail next week. We will call this "beginners luck".

Kristen, loved your line "pearls of youth or youth seekers". It has been going around in my head all evening. My mother is still alive, so it really isn't a tribute. But, I suppose, the sentiment is the same.

Everyday Goddess said...

you put this together wonderfully well, i love how it flows together and follows the technique.

fabulous magpie!

Catalyst said...

It's a beautiful poem, Margaret. Congratulations!

Reflections said...

Beauty in your words represent deeper meanings... nicely done.

Erika B said...

Beautiful poem! Love the BW shot.

Erika B

Doctor FTSE said...

A fine tribute to your Mother.

Suz said...

a nice poem indeed

Martin said...

A heartfelt tribute to your mother.

Margaret said...

Goddess, Thanks. Once I got the idea it did seem to flow, which is something that rarely happens for me. Maybe it is all the poetry and writing blogs I have been soaking in. Yours is chuck full of creativity.

Catalyst, Reflections, Erika, Dr. FTSE, Suz & Martin, I am really quite thrilled as this is my very first "real" poem ever. I am really enjoying the creativity of poetry and your blogs I am having fun getting to know. And I must add, my mother is still alive - she is a vibrant 84 years old.

Tumblewords: said...

Lovely piece. Truly.

Lucy Westenra said...

I enjoyed your poem here. But I think acrostics are better kept secret - let the reader notice if she will! (I can't explain why I think that.)

Margaret said...

Tumblewords, it was really fun writing it and now I think I'm a bit "addicted". I have been thinking about words for the past few days.

Lucy, I think your advice is fantastic. Another blog I read the other day mentioned poetry and layers. Obviously something I need to work on. Your take on this photo was OUTSTANDING!

Berowne said...

Cleverly done, and with meaning.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

wow, first poetic entry,
you did well.
lovely tale.

Glad that you enjoy the true beauty of the pearl necklace.

batsick said...

Very good on your first Magpie run! I look forward to have you join us! Here's mine http://inkflowsforth.tumblr.com/

Margaret said...

Berowne, I thank you! Really. Enjoyed your witty blog as well. I'm still chuckling over the Churchill quotes.

Jingle, I really have enjoyed myself and look forward to reading more of your poems as well.

Shigune Matsui, I will pop over in the morning and check you blog out! Thank you for inviting me :)

signed...bkm said...

lovely tribute to your mother and your love for her....enjoy your addiction to writing....blessings...bkm

Margaret said...

bkm, Well, my kids and I are addicted to your "beary" blog. And thank you for the blessings.

Sue J said...

This is lovely. What a wonderful first poem.

Caty said...

What a beautiful tribute! This brought back memories of my gram who passed not quite a year ago. (I enjoyed this Acrostic form)

Unknown said...

This is fabulous! Loved the photo and the poem...this gives me another blog idea, so many old pieces of jewelry I've inherited, some so lovely and all with memories.

Justine said...

I remembered this poem from the other day and the material is perfect for the prompt, thanks so much for participating.

Margaret said...

Sue, Thank you and I really enjoyed your blog

Caty, You have quite a talent and I am glad I scanned your blog. I read your first few months and then the most recent. Don't know if you ever heard from "him" again, but you seem are quite talented and seem like a jewel too good to waste on him.

Pat - thank you for the compliments and I look forward to your posts on the memories you have of your jewelry!

Justine - Thank you for taking over the Sunday Creative as it is my favorite challenge. I'm glad you liked my poem

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

lovely piece to honor your mother...

classical and elegant pearl image.
Thanks for sharing...

Happy Rally!

Margaret said...

Jingle - Thank you. This was a prompt for Magpie and not really about my mother, though. But it is one of my favorite poems I have written. :)

Anonymous said...

What a lovely acrostic, never knew that what that style of poetry was called. I am impressed with it, so nice for your mom up in heaven to see this :)

signed...bkm said...

What a beautiful tribute to your mother and her mother....the passing of our DNA and its physical beauty, the passing of soul and its inner beauty to the passing of life's material resounding the ageless beauty of love and memory....very nice...bkm