Thursday, January 5, 2012

Imaginary Garden, "The Gifts of Faith"


The Gifts of Faith 

Created by cherub hands
my own clay kachina sits
upon antiqued mahogany
peacefully, neighborly
beside ivory winged angels
and wooden candlesticks
that flicker and cast shadows upon my hand
resting gently upon Psalm 18:46.

My eyes close, offer praise
to the God of my Salvation
as my Murano beads I caress,
finding wisdom, comfort, hope.

And when I snuff the light
and shelf the Christian creed
does a colorful spirit dance about
feathers swaying in the dark of night
offering the gifts of faith a different way?

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, January 5, 2011

* * *

This was a fun poetry challenge presented by Imaginary Garden with Real Toads: The Art of Assemblage.  Click the link for the full directions, but a summary is:  look around your living area.  Make a list of your beloved items.  Rename your objects or add adjectives and describe their meaning.  Pen a poem with a list of some of your favorite things.

My list:

Hundreds of books, a few old Bibles  =  Treasured words
Numerous dark wooden candlesticks  =  architecture, a lit flame
Children's clay projects = unspoiled creativity
White angel figurines  =  promise/comfort
Grandmother's antiques  =  yesteryear
A variety of beaded rosaries  =  hope, faith

11 comments:

Ella said...

Nice to meet you~ I loved your collection, how you gathered your sentiments and created magic~

Susie Clevenger said...

You assembled your words from the beauty of your collection...nice work. I love the last stanza...

forgetmenot said...

Lovely poem. What a unique way to gather thoughts, ideas, and inspiration to write a poem. Hope your New Year is off to a great start--your creativity certainly is. Mickie :)

Enchanted Oak said...

I've wondered the same thing while throwing corn in the four directions. Decided God speaks many languages....

I like the quirk factor here.

Fickle Love

Kerry O'Connor said...

I really like the inclusion of a child's creativity among the precious antiques: you bring the past to the present in a way that counts.

Lilly said...

lovely! seriously, the image and the poem work wonders together, and at least to me the whole pack conveyed a deep feeling of love and protection!

Maude Lynn said...

I really like this, Margaret!

Laurie Kolp said...

You're an amazing woman, Margaret. I love how our lists have revealed parts of ourselves with each other. The last stanza is very thought-provoking.

Margaret said...

Thank you. As with most challenges, I will say " I can't do this one, it's too difficult" and then surprise myself. This was a fun one and it was fun reading everyone elses, as like you say, Laurie, it is a bit of a glimpse inside each one of us. ;)

Christine said...

Clear and beautiful poem, volumes of hope and faith surround your thoughts

Jordan agf 3 shoes said...
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