I Listened
I cannot tell you what tomorrow holds
nor what yesterday means just yet,
but I know last evening I listened
as summer's last songbird splashed
its lyrics against a tangerine sky,
its sentinel voice bowing
to river's restless murmurings
of numbered sun-drenched days.
I smiled as stubborn oak, fully ablaze,
stood defiant, prepared to hang on 'till spring
despite wind's gorging appetite
while more prudent creatures scampered
and burrowed beneath falling, spiraling
canopy, snuggling spring's promise
and I adjusted my jacket, pulled out
my mittens, and saw my breath
beneath beaver moon's filtered light.
Margaret Bednar, November 6, 2013
This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Get Listed with Ed Pilolla" and "Poety Jam - What do you Know for Sure"
I believe this year's "beaver moon" will happen around November 15th - but it worked for the poem, so go with it :)
Photography is courtesy of my friend "J.B." (thank you!)
32 comments:
beaver moon? that was an interesting pairing there in the end...the listening to nature...the smiling at it...i def know all about that...
… I don't think a "beaver moon" happens until the 15th this year, but it worked for the poem. :)
What gorgeous pictures, and I like the way you used ed's words to take you in a whole new direction.
Lovely Margaret, magical pairing of two very different challenges.
This is indeed beautiful, Margaret. Sometimes we don't know the meaning of 'yesterday' it turns into future and then we see what everything means. I also like that instead of hiding away under a canopy, you were out in the elements enjoying that beaver moon!!
ooooh Margaret, what a lush and gorgeous poem! that middle stanza in particular is simply fantastic.
i was just walking along the leaf-strewn bike path near my office and noticing the squirrels, many squirrels, foraging for winter. and thinking how much better off the squirrels at my house are, as the kids lined up all their molding jack-o-lanterns on the back porch for them to raid and plunder. :)
Love the sentinel songbird and the stubborn oaks--autumn light shines cold but clear on the bones of the world, and they are beautiful--as are your photos, as always, Margaret.
so pretty.
man, this is a perfect example of how beautiful art can really make a piece of writing come alive instantly. the fellowship you create with nature here is heart-warming and endearing.
I love the whole idea of a beaver moon, which I had not heard of. The photos and your poem so full of imagery are stunning.
Margaret, thanks for your comments on my peace poem... I think it depends on the type of woman... not those who try to "be men" for the sake of advancement. Ah, well..
This is an achingly beautiful offering, both image and poem. My favorite is that stoic oak, almost DARING the breeze to strip it of its leaves. It's true here; the first snowfall always lingers on the last leaves of the oak across the street! Great. Amy
I'm compelled then, to hold on to spring's promise along with this wonderful description.
you always mange to weave words and the pictures together...well done...
Your language in this poem is just SO rich...your second stanza and this:
"as summer's last songbird splashed
its song against a tangerine sky,"
Stunning gorgeous work.
Your friend is gifted, too!
Beautiful word painting--love the unexpected descriptions. The photographs are wonderful as well.
Beautiful, Margaret!
ah the splash of colors and the rich texture your words give....a true artist you are....
A beautiful song of life.
So beautiful - the words and the pictures! Loved the first two lines!
I always notice the oaks and their stubborn leaves; I like how you worked them into your poem, and the bird as well.
I like mittens. They make me feel five years old.
Rich with visuals and I love winds gorging appetite.
your images are lovely and your words draw me in
much love...
Please thank your friend JB for the photo that led to:
"as summer's last songbird splashed
its lyrics against a tangerine sky" ...exquisite!
I had to look up "Beaver Moon" and learned a lot about the native North Americans and the way they saw the moon's cycles.
Did you get the Costa Rica links I sent you? I had two e-mail addresses for you, and used both. One is no longer active, but I hope the other one worked.
K
I followed all your visual images...
sigh...we can't stop the seasons, but to find some bliss in each one...beautifully on both prompts.
Your words and images work together so beautifully. I absolutely love the opening stanza.
really gorgeous work, Margaret
I shall hold tight to a bit of spring...such a beautiful, magical piece..."wind's gorging appetite" love that!
I cannot tell you what tomorrow holds - What a fantastic opening line to your beautiful poem. Excellent.
Indeed, Autumns beaurt is eccentric and reckless in it's diffusion for all our senses! You're tempered wording is sterling and flexible ~ GREAT poetry! Ty for your missing my posts, I'll attempt to post this weekend ~you inspire me! Blessings dear friend ~Debbie
Beautiful imagery with a definite touch of frost in the air.
Oh, how beautiful! "Last evening I listened" is a lovely line. It all works so well!
Margaret, this is such a gorgeous combination of words and photos--wow! Love the songbird splash of lyrics and the wind's gorging appetite--inspired words! :-)
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