Saturday, April 19, 2014

"Love Struck"


Love Struck

Through the tulips
I croon, of life, of love,
of strummed spring showers
where we danced tip toe.

Falcetto highs, baritone lows…

blow kisses to one I loved,
pluck scarlet path and croon
of life, of loss,
throw myself over a c
                                 l
                                 i
                                 f
                                 f
                                     black heart. 


by Margaret Bednar, April 19, 2014


A Turkish legend may be responsible for the red tulip's symbolism.  The story goes that a prince named Farhad was love struck by a maiden named Shirin.  When Farhad learned that Shirin had been killed, he was so overcome with grief that he killed himself riding his horse over the edge of a cliff.  It's said that the scarlet tulip sprang up from each droplet of his blood, giving the red tulip the meaning of "perfect love".


This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads with Sam Edge"  He called for Avant-garde poetry, inspired by e. e. cummings.  So completely different from my writing.   Wished I'd had more time to give this some thought - but this is what I came up with in ten minutes.




12 comments:

Kerry O'Connor said...

What gorgeous, rich colours those tulips have. I had never heard of this legend of the tulips before. You conveyed the passion of it very well.

Grandmother Mary said...

The things we do for love...

Kathryn Dyche said...

Love the dark ending . . . you know me, I like dark.

Ella said...

I love the legend, sad but it vividly adds depth to your version. I too loved it

Susie Clevenger said...

Beautiful photo...love the dark ending and the presentation of the words...very effective visual. Thanks for sharing the legend.

Anonymous said...

It is a super interesting tale. Tulips have a Turkish look! Yours are beautiful. K.

Anonymous said...

thanks for the process notes. curious. love make men do stupid things. (guilty) :) ~

Sumana Roy said...

beautiful image....love that dark shade as well...reminding life as a blend of both

Anonymous said...

This was a wonderful read, made even more wonderful by the process notes (or what-you-call-them) at the end. Re-reading it had an even stronger impact.

humbird said...

Oh, so refreshing colors these tulips have...Interesting legend behind the poem..~ Thanks

aspiritofsimplicity said...

wow...what a sad and sort of gruesome story.

Jennifer Wagner said...

I enjoyed this Margaret--great title, and thanks for the story...and the photograph is absolutely enchanting!