Thursday, January 3, 2019

Assurance

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Assurance

New year, new resolutions, new plans,
marvel how everything falls into place,

obviously God's voice,
only to be reprimanded come January 2nd;

evangelical moment of certainty fades
into pensive cloud of Catholic guilt.

I know better to pray for things desired;
taught to ask for acceptance

for I've a way of tossing practical aside,
grasp for (im)possible a bit too often.

My eyes see poems in clouds,
not dishes in the sink.

Husband wonders what this means,
and I laugh and say,

"Today is like the carnations you buy,
steadfast and long-lasting (roses droop too soon)".

He looks slightly confused, assure him
(myself unclear if metaphor works)
"It means life’s good, a year of no surprises."

Or so I think this is what morning's tea leaves
revealed.   I'll let you know.

by Margaret Bednar, January 3, 2019

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Get listed January edition"  Marching orders are to use 3 from the word list ... I think I used 11.  

19 comments:

Kim M. Russell said...

I love the familiarity of the lines:
‘…for I've a way of tossing practical aside,
grasp for (im)possible a bit too often.

My eyes see poems in clouds,
not dishes in the sink.’

A poet's perspective!

Sanaa Rizvi said...

Oh Margaret this is absolutely stunning!❤️ Especially love:

'My eyes see poems in clouds,
not dishes in the sink.'

Thank you so much for writing to the prompt!❤️

annell4 said...

Love your poem!!! Perfect!

Cressida de Nova said...

My eyes see poems in dishes in the sink as well as the clouds.Like the reference to being bought reliable carnations rather than roses which don't last long....yes I can relate to this one LOL .

tonispencer said...

I like that you see poems in dishes in the sink as well as the clouds. Poetry is everywhere!I can relate to tossing aside the practical. I much prefer the long lasting carnations though. A thoughtful reply to the prompt.

Magaly Guerrero said...

The last three stanzas made me giggle, in recognition. Here, my Piano Man and not-so-Little Princess call it "the plotting face". You know? All those moments when dishes are being watched by hands attached to eyes that barely notice the bubbles? The slightly vague eyes, blooming in imaginary gardens, lost in ink that wants to be born...

Love the dynamics between words and speaker and narrator. All of it feels real and, like I said, wonderfully relatable. The world might be stronger (and quite beautiful) with "carnations" and daisies.

Jenna said...

Thank you for sharing your poetry. I enjoyed this, especially the lines,
"Today is like the carnations you buy,
steadfast and long-lasting (roses droop too soon)".

WildChild47 said...

sweet smelling for the lasting scent of the steadfast carnations, but they wear a frivolous skirt (for boys - i.e. named sweet williams) - which means a field of dreams waiting to be birthed into poetry - which is delightful - so here's to suds in soapy waters, and the lasting truths of reaching for the (im)possible, because how else to reach for a taste of the stars?

enjoyed the poem Margaret - Happy New Year and may your year be filled with blessings and wonders.

Old Egg said...

Tea leaves or not itis all about a positive attitude to life in general. I enjoyed this very much and grasping at the impossible is the best way to go and leave the easy stuff for later!

Sherry Blue Sky said...

I love the seeing poems in clouds. That's what makes life so beautiful.

Susie Clevenger said...

A new year, a clean slate...Love your poem and how you see poems in clouds, oh, and the lasting bloom of carnations over roses reached right into my heart. My in-laws always loved carnations.

Jim said...
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Jim said...
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Jim said...

Margaret, you built so much good from that word list. I can't see sheep to be counted nor images in the clouds. But I see more than I took quick notice in the dark objects in the Oriental soup. Rorschack would be amazed. Try it. 
..

kaykuala said...

Or so I think this is what morning's tea leaves
revealed. I'll let you know.

One need not hurry. To inform someone is to be done at leisure and not to be harassed


Hank

brudberg said...

Oh the practical aspects of carnations instead of roses... love that.

Kerry O'Connor said...

I like your practical approach to the new year. Favourite lines:
My eyes see poems in clouds,
not dishes in the sink.

Helen said...

Are we destined to carry Catholic guilt forever? I sometimes wonder. Enjoyed this, Margaret.

purplepeninportland.com said...

How practical, Margaret. Love the mention of flowers and the puzzlement it produces.