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| Image: Duane Michals |
An old acquaintance I can't completely shake
peers over my shoulder, creates self doubt,
insecurity. Ignore her at times,
I do, but rather persistent is she
often makes me rethink my strategy
but mostly she is best ignored, defriended,
as my eyes desperately seek even a small reflection
of a more productive muse, Ms. Creativity.
by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, March 25, 2012
* * * * *
This is for Magpie Tales #110. I guess it is known know as "The Mag" as many poets have become quite familiar with this weekly challenge. Thank you for being an awesome host, Tess! I reworked this poem from a "One Stop Poetry" challenge on 4-3-11. Not sure if it is better, but new life has been breathed into it, I hope.
Below is a short audio clip of a graduate student, Sarah Mitchell, talking about a photograph taken by Duane Michals in 1967 "This Photograph is My Proof". I found it quite moving as I am looking at 22 years of marriage in May... and it sparked another poem :)
Do We?
Do I still hold his hand, cling
to his every word, laughter
spill from my pores as he
makes corny jokes?
Do I hold him close
before he leaves for work,
remind him of what awaits
upon his return?
Does he still call me
throughout the day
ask me, lovingly,
what I am doing?
Does he bring me
bouquets of fresh flowers,
often dropped hurriedly,
knowing they can wait a bit for water?
After twenty-two years,
do we still nourish each other?
by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, March 25, 2012
23 comments:
Your Magpie one feels exactly right to me--and I'm sure you still do! K.
Your Magpie one feels exactly right to me--and I'm sure you still do! K.
Defriended...I like that word.
Defriended ... didnt come up under "Dictionary . com" Perhaps I made up a new word? :)
excellent Magpie-especially the line:
"but mostly she is best ignored,defriended"
our inner critic is really not our friend.
I think we should use the mirror sparingly but it has its uses at times.
And your second share is sweet and romantic...I do agree we need to nourish each other ~
Lovely, on both counts.
It's so wonderful to see you share such a great love even after all those years. Not easy to keep it fresh and alive but, it seems you have and do. Great read, thank you.
I'm well acquainted with my old acquaintance...
Ooh, I think we can all relate to the first.
Excellent...I too would like to "defriend" myself sometimes:)
Yes, insecurity is one of the greatest enemies of happiness.
PS: I play Magpie Tales of the abstract.
I definitely got that 'over the shoulder' feeling too. Congratulations on the 22 years; for the record it's the same after 36!
I just celebrated my 11th anniversary, and I really related to that second piece!
really like this....nicely done
which side of yourself is insecure and which is not
mirrored
When love envelops 2 hearts, 22yrs is just a fleeting moment. To sustain it calls for a lot on both. Many made that sacrifice. Congrats, Marge!
Hank
Margaret,
My old acquaintance has grown old and cynical, while I on the other hand get younger everyday!
There is a magic in that portal.
rel
p.s. married 44 years this coming July.
I think "defriended" is a Facebook word, Margaret, if I'm not mistaken. I had to defriend one of the persons I initially accepted as a friend there. I couldn't handle her "presence" around me anymore. She was too much like death, if that makes sense. Defriend is a good thing to be able to do in certain situations! The opposite of BEfriend!
Astrid and I have been married only 2+ years, so we're not yet at those questions from your second poem. I doubt if I'll live long enough for 22 years, but I do pray those questions will never need asking!
The doubter- kick her out-
yup me and My hubby had our 22nd
last year! amazing how time flies.
Congrats on your marriage .. it's comforting to know there are folks who know how to get it right!
Your Mag prompted me to dig deep, to examine my life ... realize how that 'other me' was able to sabotage and quite effectively!
Love the way you always find interesting angles on the Magpie prompts. And 100% sure your questions are rhetorical.
Even an old acquaintance can give us new things to contemplate at times...
I think your years have shown well both in the reflection of you and the marriage you hold dear
He has been faithful in your lives...
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