The Matron

The Matron

A flush not demure

but forthcoming

anticipates perhaps not youth

but no less adventure.

Spring and Summer
shyly, perhaps coyly,
wear sheer, billowing skirts,
laugh gloriously and foolishly,
the sound delightful,

but Autumn
cloaks herself in wool,
red cheeks, and experience.

Harvests gathered,
rewards reaped,
she sighs, shakes out apron,
loosens hair

for a moment a child,
carefree.  Just one spin
before auburn tresses once again
become silvered and gray,

eyes reflecting sky,
heart's abundance,
and oncoming clouds,

all without a hint of subterfuge.

by Margaret Bednar, November 9, 2018

This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's - Kerry Say's - How Does the Story End?"  It is important for this prompt to have a STRONG ending line.

I am also sharing this with "Poets and Storytellers United - Writers' Pantry # 92". 

Resonance

click on image to enlarge

Resonance

You marched cheerily away, after loyalty pledged

to country, hearth, and wife.  I a blushing bride

clinging to promises made within a woodland glade

where bluebells jingled an English spring as upon knee 

you cradled my hand and won my heart.

We laughed and dreamed of a cottage house,

ivy clinging eternally to cobble and thatch...

clasp now I to memory.

The first white roses, pressed,

swirls flattened into outlines, crisp.

Find myself wanting reversal of time,

hand them back soft and full, see your slanted smile 

after a kiss, hear you whisper, "Chere".

So faded our forest, so faint St. Peter's bells,

so distant your song as another season hitch-hikes  

upon orange-tipped wings signaling spring's arrival

and with indrawn breath I'm facing

angelic wings singing not songs of grief

but joy, encouraging me to soldier on,

let past become like mountain mist,

dismissed each morn with sun embraced,

songbirds harmonizing with Blue's melody,

his solo and steadfast stare

gifting me with freedom, with life.  

by Margaret Bednar, October 7, 2021

I am not sure if this qualifies (Sherry - please let me know) for the prompt at "Earthweal Weekly Challenge - Collateral Beauty".  It's a story poem, in response to my collage (not digital but the old fashioned cut and paste).  Some of the images are from vintage magazines and music - the center image is of a white rose painted by Georgia O'Keeffe.  The above image will be the centerfold for an art journal with drawing and watercolor paper.  I will be sewing the signatures in and have yet to make the cover which I think I will fashion from gorgeous wallpaper (I have many wallpaper books).  This poem will be included in the journal.

note:  the art above will change a bit as I am waiting for an order of graphite blocks to arrive which I will then trace and smudge around a few images so they stand out a little bit. 

October

(click on images to enlarge)

October

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."  Anne of Green Gables

Honey is the ingredient shared in dueling pumpkin pies;

Grandma's secret stirred into spices, Mom's kneaded into crust.

Dad's eyes grow large as they ask him his favorite;

points to his mouth, too full to answer.

***

Pansies and asters blink goodnight, mums begin to yawn,

yet pink flamingo and garden pixie stand at attention,

salute tiniest fairies floating by

astride parachutes of milkweed and goldenrod.

***

Crows and ravens await for songbirds' final flight

to call forest and field their own.  Caw warnings

as witches walk hand in hand, trinkets and wands sparkle,

tempt black murders dotting fiery finery of maple and oak.

***

Pumpkin seeds and cider warm our bellies,

Grandma's knitted wool sweaters our bodies; "protection" 

as we pass St. Mary's graveyard; nervously giggle away

scary ghost stories whispered 'round backyard bonfire last night.

***

A "stay-at-home" date night (no babysitter), movie, glass of wine,

squeaky porch swing, glowing Jack-O-lantern.  Mom giggles

(she doesn't seem afraid).  Says "Come up and see me sometime".

Dad winks, follows her inside, his, "Yes, Dear" oddly British.

by Margaret Bednar, October 6, 2021

This is linked with "Poets and Storytellers United - Weekly Scribblings #90: October"

The photos above are the front and back cover of my hand-made, collaged (paper - not digital) October 2021 journal. I will be stitching in my paper signature tomorrow and will add a few of my old poems as well as my poems for this month.  I will do a video of it at the end of the month so you can see how it looks.  

The movie reference is "She Done Him Wrong" starring Mae West & Cary Grant, 1933.

Beautiful Dreamer

Beautiful Dreamer

Dreams are musical notes

pirouetting upon a heart, fluttering one's mind

as if a queen coronated or a song vibrato'd,

melody swaying like poppies in a field,

bursting with passion, adventure;

or like lilies, marvelously curved and open,

reaching heavenward in acceptance.

Monet and Van Gogh flourished

light and color upon a canvas,

exploding and inspiring

as we peer into rooms and fields, allow maidens

and sheep to visit our slumbered fancies,

past, present, and future

woven into bouquets of freshly picked blooms,

becoming rosebud smiles as we awaken

full of promise, hope, and joy as we hum 

beautiful melodies.

by Margaret Bednar, October 3, 2021

Linked with "Poets and Storytellers United, Writer's Pantry #90".  The images above are both collaged by me and will be the front and back cover of a writing/art journal I am making.  I will post this poem on the inside front cover.  I will be making a number of journals this style (with coffee, blueberry, avocado & other hand dyed paper)  and other styles and they will eventually be for sale.