IGWRT's "Extraordinary"

The video is a real place, called the "Tunnel of Love" and is located in Kleven, Ukraine!

Extraordinary

It's an ordinary wish
to be loved
intensely

as if tomorrow wouldn't exist
without a touch, a smile,
a glance,

for his world
to arch over my days
protecting, cherishing, sharing

as our limbs, laughter,
thoughts entwine
like two old oaks

whose once sapling branches
have interlaced, become
dependent upon the other

for life itself.
It's extraordinary
my wish came true.

by Margaret Bednar, May 31, 2013

This is linked with Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Transforming Friday's with Hannah - Magical Natural Locations - Hungry Eyes,  haunted hearts"  Wow - that is quite a title, but Hannah promises us 21 more incredible places over the next few months and I can't wait!  

Friday Flash 55 "Identification"

Identification

It was no badge of courage,
but it took courage to survive.

Dangled about the neck:
Servant #768, Porter #436,
Carpenter #72, Fisher #93,

and the coveted
Free #156.

Engraved copper
perhaps worn with pride,

each shape unique,
each a life forever unknown.

Highly collectible today,
history sold

to the highest bidder.
Some things never change.

by Margaret Bednar, May 30, 2013


I don't think slavery was anything to take pride in, but I do believe a skill must have made life a bit easier as I can't imagine many slaves wanted to be field hands.  I couldn't help but look through the glass at the Charleston Museum and wonder about each of the lives that these (almost 200 year old) copper numbers represented...

This is linked with Friday Flash 55 - a story in 55 words - no more, no less!

IGWRT's Fireblossom Friday - "Beneath a Moon"

Tidewater rice trunk gate, from Richmond Plantation.  This gate controlled water flow
into and out of the rice fields.

Beneath a Moon

Beneath a moon, milk-white,
tidal swamps were cleared,
carved deep.

Beside cypress and gum
grew crops of gold, cradled, 

protected by spirituals sung low,

of "Ole Virginny" and "Coal-black Rose".

Beneath oaks, moss-draped,
black backs toiled, weary,
longed for home, but
Elmina's "door of no return"
sealed their fate.

Beneath a moon, milk-white,
voices rose in song,
echoed and escaped.

by Margaret Bednar, May 25, 2013


Below is a very moving video of a visit to the "Door of No Return" Ghana.





Another video I found fascinating highlights a book "Slave songs of the United States" - Published 1867.  This is the first large collection of slave spirituals.  Who collected these songs two years after the Civil War?  Watch and find out.

The poem is linked to Imaginary Garden with Real Toads "Fireblossom Friday" Location!


Below is a video about inland rice fields, not tidal, but it was swampy and still required African slaves!   I think it is a good five minutes of history telling.

The Mag #169 "Lighthouse Dandelions"

Lighthouse Dandelions by Jamie Wyeth

Lighthouse Dandelions

As dusks' indigo fingers descend,
little lions roar discontent,
lance-shaped leaves no match
for summer sky's churning monsters
billowing, rumbling, raging,
toward wave-washed shore,
scattering mighty warriors
to ferocious winds.

Beneath a lustrous glow
defeat is not acknowledged
but challenged with a pledge
to come back stronger,
greater.  A legion ready to fight
and hold back the night.

by Margaret Bednar, May 23, 2013

This if for The Mag #169.  The artwork above is this week's prompt.  

IGWRT's Get Listed & Friday Flash 55 "My Butterfly"

Self-Portrait - Acrylic, Ebony, Charcoal (won a Scholastic Gold Key Award)

My Butterfly

Reflected like stars
within your crystal blues

is spring and youth-filled dreams
dappled with yes,

presented decorously
upon today's silver platter,

some visions already realized,
some nibbled upon,

while others await
a future rejuvenation.

Soar, my butterfly, set
a bedazzling pace

and remember:

Treasure your yesterdays,
hope for tomorrow,

and always
embrace the moment.

by Mommy  (Margaret Bednar), May 22, 2013

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Get Listed"  The three words I selected from the list: dapple, tomorrow, pace.  This is also for Friday Flash 55 .

My daughter graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Art's high school program for Visual Arts.

Thomas Shumacher was the commencement speaker (he is president of Disney Theatrical Group) and his speech was OUTSTANDING!  My poem reflects three things I walked away with:  be present (in daily life), say "yes" (more often than no), and rejuvenation is not failure.

THEN... from the orchestra pit arose a grand piano and ... Alan Menken!!  He is famous for his Disney lyrics and scores.  (Think "Little Mermaid", "Beauty & the Beast", "Hercules" ... oh just the last 20+ years of Disney magic)  Below is a video of his medley he put together just for UNCSA's class of 2013!

Celebrating our 23rd AND Friday Flash 55 & IGWRT's "Mortal"

Schooner "The Pride" of Charleston, SC

"Friday Flash 55" & "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads" challenges are at the bottom of post.

My husband and I just got back from celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary.  We took a sunset cruise in Charleston Harbor on a schooner and it was mildly windy and so fun.  We are helping our daughter move out of boarding school and attending her graduation this week and then she and I are taking a three day mother/daughter get-away.  

I miss my blogging pals very much and hope to have some time to visit during this next week, but will not be posting for another week.   

Happy 23rd Anniversary

Sunset over Charleston

The following is for two challenges.  Friday Flash 55 and Imaginary Garden with Real Toads "Artistic Interpretations. (I'm the host :)  The following artwork is by my daughter, Chelsea Bednar.

Mortal

We choose a path

unblinking,

begin as pliant saplings

eagerly bend, sway,

reach for the sun,

confident springtide is eternal.

Until one day, breathless,

we seek shelter,

gaze upon the commanding view

of yesterday:  Frivolous!

Seek to be not merely

ornamental,

and for the first time

hear the tick tock of time

and fully awaken.

by Margaret Bednar, May 17, 2013

IGWRT's & Friday Flash 55 "Acceptance"

South Carolina Beauties

Acceptance

I see the day's heat
reflected in sugar brown-eyes,

watch it caress
massive cinnamon shoulders,

tickle a torturous path
beneath rounded bellies,

allow a moment's gasp
beneath buzzing magnolia blooms

before gentle beasts press forward
toward a destiny weary.

With a burden twice as heavy,
I straighten my shoulders,

and seek a disposition
as accepting.

by Margaret Bednar, May 9, 2013

This is for Imaginary Garden with  Real Toad's Kerry's Wednesday Challenge: The Prelude.  It is a poem that is set up as an introductory - a poem not meant to be finished, does not tell the whole story... I hope I succeeded.  Flip on over to the Garden to read much better attempts.

This is also for Friday Flash 55, a story for the G-Man in 55 words (no more, no less).

I am taking a BLOGGER BREAK for perhaps a week.  I will be catching up on my visiting and commenting (of which I am dreadfully behind!), but will not be posting any new poems or photos.  I will be on a mini-vacation celebrating my 23rd wedding anniversary and then moving my daughter out of her school dorm and watching her graduate!    How can I be this old?

"Teamwork"

Teamwork

Seventh place, dead last,
sixth, fourth, two thirds,
smile upon her face, unforced;

perseverance, a beautiful canter,
a winning smile,
and their first blue ribbon.

Matches the one
she carries in her heart.

Margaret Bednar, May 6, 2013

Linked with Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Open Link Monday".

file://localhost/Applications/iPhoto%20Library/Masters/2013/05/06/20130506-105502/IMG_0353.MOV

IGWRT's A Birthday "Time-Enriched"

art by Edward Lear (an excerpt from his Diary

Time-Enriched

Time enriched, our love,
a bit faded, never worn,
expectations forgiven,
plans long let go.

Our fingertips reach
for the other, instinctively,
embrace and enjoy
what is gifted today.

by Margaret Bednar, May 5, 2013

It is my 23rd Wedding Anniversary today.  Words will never express these amazing years and I feel truly blessed.  I believe our best years are ahead of us, as being a bit "time-enriched" we have finally learned a few of life's valuable lessons.

This is linked with Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "A Birthday in May - Edward Lear"

Also linking with Poets United for Poetry Pantry #149.  

IGWRT's - Transforming Friday's "Madagascar"

A lemur.  Of all places... The South Carolina Aquarium on Charleston Harbor

 Madagascar

Eat or be eaten,
territorial battles for food,
water, a survival game
understood amongst fauna
and creatures unique

in eastern mangroves
and tropical shores, by
monsoons and seasonal rivers,
along undisciplined mountain's
majestic ridge, over and down
western side into cracked dust
and heat slashed with ribbons
of ancient green.

An isolated garden
of extreme specialization
where spirits of the dead romp,
rapidly shrink, eaten by sawmills
and mining corridors

another fifty years, perhaps,
before all are squeezed, vanished,
left to reside upon a page earmarked
with the Elephant Bird.

by Margaret Bednar, May 3, 2013

Vasa Parrot - sometimes described as an intermediate between a parrot & a raptor

This is linked with Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Transforming Friday's" subject: Madagascar.

The Elephant bird was a huge bird similar to the ostrich, but much bigger, long extinct.  The Lemur's name means "spirits of the dead".   

Friday Flash 55 "The Doctor is In"

I was told this was a symbol the "Doctor" was in

The Doctor is In

Caster oil, turpentine,

sweet oil, laudanum?

Perhaps paregoric,

ipecacuanha, wine,

brandy, opium, 

herbs or oils?

No scientific method,

just folklore, tradition.

The doctor's in, choose

a little black bottle

and he'll mix and add

a dash of this or that

dispensed with confidence

and a pinch of tobacco to smoke

while a cure you await.

by Margaret Bednar, May 2, 2013

Bottles and Herbs from Old Salem, NC's Apothecary

Hmm...  I think brandy will be all that is necessary!

55 words for Friday Flash 55!