Wednesday, November 6, 2013

"I Listened"




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



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:

Brian Miller said...

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...

Margaret said...

… I don't think a "beaver moon" happens until the 15th this year, but it worked for the poem. :)

Kerry O'Connor said...

What gorgeous pictures, and I like the way you used ed's words to take you in a whole new direction.

Helen said...

Lovely Margaret, magical pairing of two very different challenges.

Mary said...

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!!

Marian said...

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. :)

hedgewitch said...

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.

TexWisGirl said...

so pretty.

ed pilolla said...

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.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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

Susan said...

I'm compelled then, to hold on to spring's promise along with this wonderful description.

revelations said...

you always mange to weave words and the pictures together...well done...

Hannah said...

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!

Peggy said...

Beautiful word painting--love the unexpected descriptions. The photographs are wonderful as well.

Laurie Kolp said...

Beautiful, Margaret!

Sumana Roy said...

ah the splash of colors and the rich texture your words give....a true artist you are....

Vandana Sharma said...

A beautiful song of life.

Unknown said...

So beautiful - the words and the pictures! Loved the first two lines!

Fireblossom said...

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.

Kathryn Dyche said...

Rich with visuals and I love winds gorging appetite.

Gillena Cox said...

your images are lovely and your words draw me in


much love...

Kay L. Davies said...

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

humbird said...

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.

Anonymous said...

Your words and images work together so beautifully. I absolutely love the opening stanza.

Anonymous said...

really gorgeous work, Margaret

Susie Clevenger said...

I shall hold tight to a bit of spring...such a beautiful, magical piece..."wind's gorging appetite" love that!

alan1704 said...

I cannot tell you what tomorrow holds - What a fantastic opening line to your beautiful poem. Excellent.

Anonymous said...

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

rallentanda said...

Beautiful imagery with a definite touch of frost in the air.

Mary Ann Potter said...

Oh, how beautiful! "Last evening I listened" is a lovely line. It all works so well!

Sarav said...

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! :-)