A Summer Break

Going to enjoy a couple of weeks with the family - a summer break before the new school year begins.

I'll be back here mid-August.

"Queen Bee"

Coneflower & Honeybee

Queen Bee

From tears of Ra
the bee descends, of sun, of royalty.

As a child, I'd run in fear of the sting,

unaware nectar its sole pursuit -
Cupid learned "Beware love's sting!"

Yet life absorbs such piques, does it not?

Spend many an evening walking husband's perennial gardens 

camera poised, patiently wait for droning honeybee; 

stories of imminent demise foreshadowed -

thrilled when sometimes (only) one shows up...

Does this mean Greek goddesses are nearly forgotten,

the Hindu God of peace is dying, Ra's wisdom silenced?   

This symbol of motherhood and fertility
has walked with me hand in hand; no longer run I from the sting,
but embrace sacrifices, savor long days,
taste sweet nectar of childish arms about my neck; sticky fingers and all.
And occasionally at end of day, raise my glass to the Queen Bee;

realize I'm not just a worker bee.

by Margaret Bednar, July 23, 2016

This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Transforming with Nature's Wonders" & "Play it Again, Toads".  I was late in playing, so this is my contribution to an obviously very recent "archived" challenge .

When my husband and I first started dating, somehow I gained the title "Queen Bee".   One of my favorite gifts is a necklace of a honeybee.

You are invited to listen: https://soundcloud.com/margaretbednar/audio-recording-on-saturday

Grandfather

Grandfather

It's that freedom of childhood:
raised high, secure.  Knowing
Grandfather won't let go;
playing "I Spy"

when laughter erupts.

It's horizons, youthful and old,
merging, finding common goals.
Trading preconceived notions of boring
for adventure tapped

when living begins.

It's finding joy in each other,
guidance along rocky paths,
a safe place to rest one's head
Of a wisdom shared

when love uplifts.

by Margaret Bednar, July 18, 2016

This if for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Weekend Mini Challenge - In the Market for Poems". - exchange, bartering, promise - "an exchange or promise made by ... someone.   We recently stood atop Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina and soaked in the view.   I like to think this poem represents the Mountain and Grandfathers...

Note:  Yikes!   When to use semi-colons, colons, and dashes.  Looked it up and still not sure I understand.  Grammar head I am NOT. :)

"Why"

The Barn

"Why"

Summer's sigh saunters

between empty stalls and red buckets,

barn cat knowingly sits, as cats always do, 

content in what she knows,

and I upon hay bale 

with view of winding wooded trials

listen, feel, ponder.  

For the moment avoid conclusions -

allow the question of "why"

an opportunity to linger.  

by Margaret Bednar,  July 9, 2016

The past few days have been rife with the question "Why!! " And lots of people rushing to judgement, accusations, angry talk.  Lots of "answers" but ... how much listening?    How much are we willing to push aside what we "know" and truly listen to what others have to say?  It seems to me, people are more interested in pushing their agendas - getting their way or nothing - instead of reaching a solution to the political and social dilemmas we are facing today.

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads: Sunday Mini-Challenge: Shallows, Deeply"