Wednesday, October 23, 2013

"Take Note"


Take Note

I grace your bed,
an ornamental
all rosettes, ruffles
and lavender.

Its true,
some find me bitter -

I say taste and see
and offer a tip:
it's all in the way
I'm handled.

by Margaret Bednar, October 23, 2013

This is linked with Imaginary Garden with Real Toads Wednesday Challenge - The Language of Flowers - "turn to flowers for inspiration, not simply as beautiful objects, but as symbols of deeper emotions and human qualities, or as magical ingredients".

I was intrigued recently to find the hardworking Kale sold next to fancy roses and other such flowers.   I did plant this in my garden along the border a few years back  - as I thought them beautiful, but found them bitter to eat.  Since then, I have learned how to cook with it.  

24 comments:

Vandana Sharma said...

Not all beautiful thins are sweet!!! but we should always look for the positivity and I know you have found right rightly !! by getting to know how to cook it.

Susie Clevenger said...

"it's all in the way I am handled" be it flower or human proper handling does make a difference..:)

Unknown said...

Susie and I are sharing the same thoughts about humans and plants. A woman specifically came to mind. I guess because of the ruffles made me think of a really pretty dress. I enjoyed this a lot.
Great imagery.

L. Edgar Otto said...

I thought that if I did have the time to post comments, early on... I would have chose the dandylion, common and edible... or better yet Queen Anne's Lace which is the wild carrot... maybe it all depends on how we are cared for when we are raised.

TexWisGirl said...

rather like people or animals, i suppose. :)

Kerry O'Connor said...

The bitter must come with the sweet, and so is life. Beautiful images and expressive words make this post a treat.

Grandmother Mary said...

Taste and see, it's all in the way I'm handled- words for the wise!

hedgewitch said...

I love the way they look almost like roses--I grow them sometimes, and they are amazingly durable and tough as well as beautiful--though I've never tried to eat them. This is a novel and well-presented metaphor, very well executed, Margaret.

Ella said...

Beautiful view and I love your ending. My neighbor grows it and I love how it resembles roses~ :D

Anonymous said...

sensual, and pleasingly challenging, Margaret ~

Marian said...

that's a kale variation? i always thought of them as ornamental (not edible, ahem) cabbage. you eat those?!
i do love me some kale. i mean a deep and abiding love for kale. which i know is a thing now, kale-loving. but as it should be, because Kale Is Awesome.
and about your poem (!), your last lines really say it all, about everything, right? it's all in the way we are handled. love it.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Oh this is so clever!!!! I love it.

Kay L. Davies said...

Like Marian, I thought those were ornamental cabbage rather than kale, but they're certainly beautiful.
And it seems Marian and I aren't the only ones...I just looked it up. They're both the same thing, apparently.

http://gardening.about.com/od/plantprofile1/p/Orn_Cabbage.htm

Thanks for your comment on my post, Margaret. It's always nice to feel appreciated!
K

Margaret said...

I thought they were cabbage as well and looking images I still think Kale is a bit more "crinkly" ... but the sign said Kale NOT Cabbage (Whole Foods could be wrong) but I went with what they labeled it. I also planted these in my garden a few years ago, as stated, but can't remember if the seed packets said Kale or Cabbage...

forgetmenot said...

Margaret, Another gem !! Love the poem. Plant or person, how it is handled does make all the difference. So deep, yet so simple. You are so creative and talented--always a pleasure to see what magical words you have written and what lovely photos you have taken. Mickie :)

Hannah said...

SO beautiful and your poem has me interested in finding new ways to cook with it! :)

Peggy said...

Love that you used kale as a flower here. Excellent response to the prompt. I like the photo as well.

Scarlet said...

Loving this line as it applies to flowers & people: it's all in the way I'm handled.

Stunning pictures as always Margaret ~

Brian Miller said...

knowing what to do with them def makes all the difference in the world. i do enjoy kale...got that from my wife...

Susan said...

It's pretty clear that we are not just in the flower bed. Very good advice for both. Fun.

Alice Audrey said...

Is that a bouquet of kale? I had no idea it could be so pretty.

Unknown said...

Not until today did I realize the connections between me and kale. :-)
Terrific piece, Margaret!

Unknown said...

Not until today did I realize the connections between me and kale. :-)
Terrific piece, Margaret!

Anonymous said...

Truly there's an art to handling Beauty, even chicken soup had magical elements when gma stirred it, & you should be Adored! XO Debbie