Monday, October 27, 2014

"Another Autumn - Mountain Farm, 1890"


Another Autumn - Mountain Farm, 1890

  With protective shoulders, stained complexion
Humpback Mountain sweetly chirps, trills, rustles, and woos;
  Serenade so tranquil, I forget
          she's also
     a tempest possessed
of blustering, tumultuous song.  I listen
as sun-drenched basil waltzes, balmy breeze conducts.
     Observe stoic thyme
          still standing
  sentimental over yesteryear

  faintly blooming tints of simplicity.
Sacrificial herbs hanging upside down dying,
  drying in upper loft, children's beds,
          clapboard walls
     thin split shingles squint,
almost glare as I, judge and jury, heavily
question slits of sky blue, beautiful today, but
     bold January
        isn't known
  as a gracious, understanding host.

  Hand hewn, these old logs still standing, recall
voices raised in melodies I cannot quite hear.
  hands of tobacco, wool, apples, milk,
          eggs, walnuts
       chestnuts, clucking hens,
razorback pigs.  Minds of great ingenuity,
of necessity.  And I try hard to listen
     while grey squirrel wastes
          little time
  pondering a mountain people's past.

by Margaret Bednar, October 27, 2014


This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Play it Again, Toads".  I chose to give a slight nod to  Dylan Thomas.  HERE.

I used the structure of "Poem in October" - paid close attention to his line count, but I do not even suggest I come close to his AWESOME inventiveness with image and emotion.  I also HAD to punctuate and just couldn't begin every line with a capital letter.  I'm sure it has to do with being unable to "flow" as beautifully as Dylan Thomas - for that is what his poetry seems to me - to just flow.  Do yourself a favor and google him if you have never read him.

Humpback Rocks Mountain Farm is a preserved part of Virginia's history along the Blue Ridge Parkway (Appalachian Mountains).

19 comments:

Susie Clevenger said...

What a beautiful poem...so full of sights, sounds, emotions. You have done well with Dylan Thomas's style of writing.

brudberg said...

The imagery of the past - there is so much I like here.. The inclusion of the list and the mention of January's harshness is something different...

Kerry O'Connor said...

This was my favourite photo and you have brought it to life with your words. Such a wonderful sharing of your experiences.

Hannah said...

This brims with beauty, Margaret and you've taken on the Dyllan tone expertly...I love this,

" Observe stoic thyme
still standing
sentimental over yesteryear"

Thank you for the challenges!

Stacy M.S. said...

this felt almost like a history lesson.

very enjoyable imagery and detail!

Susan said...

I believe you Dylan Thomas-ed the remains of this old farm very well, but I am most taken with the mountain itself in its polarity. The opening of this poem is masterful.

Grandmother Mary said...

The photo and poem evoke a whole other world with all its compelling details.

Anonymous said...

There's a gentle haunting to this, the comfort of deeply-composted habitation. How carefully and sweetly you draw it all out, right down to that squirrel's knowing eye.

Unknown said...

Don't underestimate the Thomasesque nature of your poem. It flows beautifully, walks us with you through the wondrous space, is filled with sensory imagery. Well done!

kaykuala said...

Great write Marge! Wonderful Dylan take you've done.I like Dylan's style but could not emulate near enough. Perhaps to do just as you did to follow his word count line by line (borrowed your lovely pics in posting below, thanks!)

http://imagery77.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-homecoming.html

Hank

humbird said...

Talking of simplicity...how often we pass it in our speedy life. ~ Great connection with past in the poem, and the message "Listen". Thanks for prompts! x

hedgewitch said...

A sensual feast, Margaret.

Ella said...

Bravo, Margaret! This is beautiful~
I love your photos!

Anonymous said...

:)

i can't seem to get myself to capitalize or punctuate with any regularity. nice to read you too, Margaret, and thanks for your kind words... ~

Anonymous said...

I love the idea of Basil waltzes and stalwart thyme, Margaret. Thanks, and thanks for that in-the-moment squirrel! k.

Ginnie Hart said...

As Astrid would say, "You have come from far," Margaret. I'm actually quite amazed by how you have stuck at your poetry over the years and have become a veritable poet amongst us! CONGRATULATIONS! Dylan Thomas would be proud of you.

Justin Lamb said...

I love this scene. So many details and images. It's amazing how much history can be be learned by simply observing a place like this. I also really like the lines
"bold January
isn't known
as a gracious, understanding host"
That is a great way of stating it.

Anonymous said...

Margaret your words flow as serenade themselves in this poem of "Another Autumn," how lovely.

A very good poem to remind us all that consonance and euphony are indeed necessary elements of great poetry. I very much enjoy reading this one aloud and then to listen to the cascade of sounds.

Magaly Guerrero said...

The picture is fantastic. And your words makes me want to close my eyes and let myself be transported to that bit of autumn. Wonderful.