Sunday, November 3, 2013

Another "Pigeon Pie"



Another "Pigeon Pie"

I lift my arms,
tilt my chin skyward,

as if to drape these fields
of blue afternoon shadows
about my shoulders -

open my palms,
fingertips outstretched

toward the kaleidoscope of trees
bursting with migration's song -
try to absorb their pulse.

Not to hoard,
but teach others

of nature's indispensability
"for the heart that gives,
gathers" -

but I fear
this slice of fulfillment

may soon become another pigeon pie
devoured by bulldozers, served up as the
"American Dream".  White picket fence, optional.

by Margaret Bednar, November 3, 2013  


This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - A Birthday in November - Marianne Moore"  She believed meter, or anything else that claims the exclusive title "poetry" is not as important as delight in language and precise, heartfelt expression in any form.  She believed it a poets artistic right to also tackle the sometimes ugly, uncomfortable or harsh realities of the human condition.  To read more about her, follow the above link.

I was unable to meet (nor did I really understand) the "line syllables" aspect of Ms. Moore's writing - I  read a number of her poems and couldn't see a pattern of such - but what do I know.

Our challenge was to find an idyllic setting that would become the backdrop for our "imaginary garden"  and produce a "real toad" into the piece.   It should raise a very realistic social issue.

I must tell you, I really struggled with this challenge.  Thanks, Kerry, for making me step out of my comfort zone as I don't usually write from this viewpoint.

The quote in my above poem "for the heart that gives, gathers" is from Marianne Moore.

NOTE:  The Passenger Pigeon once filled the skies, houses replaced habitats, and people killed the birds en masse, baked them in pigeon pies - and finally these birds became extinct.  

The last passenger pigeon, Martha, is mounted and preserved at the Smithsonian.  HERE is a link that will tell you a little about her story.

I stand guilty, as we moved our family to a rural development complete with tennis courts, clubhouse and pool.  Head one way, we are "in town", the other, we are driving winding roads amongst fields, horses, cows, hills.    New communities are starting up in these very areas we adore and we don't like it one bit…

11 comments:

Susan said...

Power poetry here! Pigeons baked in a pie is a mighty toad after donning a scarf the color and softness of the day.

Kerry O'Connor said...

This is just brilliant, Margaret. After your beautiful lyrical description, I felt gutted to read such tranquil places as these could be developed into more streets and houses and shopping malls!
Sometimes the real is all too much to bear.

Your photo is exquisite - I love the blue shadows!

Ginnie Hart said...

As far as I can see, Margaret, you nailed it! And thanks for asll the added infor after your poem. It's definitely an important social issue hard to answer. But it doesn't take much to realize that all "first homes" anywhere were surely built where they had the best views??!!

Kathryn Dyche said...

Fantastic imagery, loved loved everything about this from the draping of blue afternoon shadows, the outstretched fingers to the pigeon pie.

Strong close too.

Marian said...

whoosh, Margaret, draping the fields around your shoulders like a pashmina, that is super-beautiful and powerful. LOVE it.

Maude Lynn said...

I think that you really captured the essence of the challenge, Margaret. Lovely work.

Claudia said...



i love the tree's migration songs... trying to absorb their pulse...sounds right up my alley...smiles

Anonymous said...

for not being comfortable, Margaret, you fake it well :). excellent pen ~

Anonymous said...

Terribly beautiful songs of seasonal charm, riches, blessings ~ Even pigeons have a voice. Hopefully there'll be no bulldozer! Keep stretching your fingertips upward in prayer as a steward over His gardens ! I'll pray, too. BEAUTIFUL writing & photograph ! Xo Faithfully Debbie

Outlawyer said...

Ugh! Hope not. Very well done. So many places want development but of course, the wrong kind comes and sometimes any kind feels wrong! Thanks, Margaret. Karin of Manicddaily

Hannah said...

Well, it doesn't read as a struggle, Margaret. This is beautiful in imagery and I love that we chose to frame the same quote!!

This:

"drape these fields
of blue afternoon shadows
about my shoulders -"

Is gorgeous!!