"The Photograph"

The Photograph

November salutes from her western ridge,
caresses faces dear to me radiating faith
that tomorrow dreams will be fulfilled.

Eyes proove hope is something tangible,
patted and molded like Grandma's special cookie recipe,
dough carefully measured and palmed
into smooth balls, perfect bites of love, devoured.

This Thanksgiving they learned the secret ingredient,
listened carefully as she guided them,
apron strings wound 'round a younger generation,

and as I gaze upon these figures silhouetted
against November's sky, atop Grandfather Mountain,
I trace each outline with my finger
(and a boyfriend, added so comfortably),

once again say goodbye to my babies
as they depart from our holiday
leaving me with a heart replenished.

by Margaret Bednar, November 28, 2017


This is written for the prompt "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads, Kerry's Challenge - a Skyflower Friday: "Goodbye"

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration - all six kids home - what more could a mother want? and Grandparents - Grandmother shared her "secret" ingredient for her chocolate chip cookies finally - the kids all enjoyed that and the cookie tradition will continue for the next generation.

"Interdependence"

Interdependence

Blue jays scream insults
as red shouldered hawk loops
and feints toward the ground.

More often I find him perched
in the canopy, a martyr, shoulders hunched
taking on crows' cries of vengeance.

The murder seems sanctimonious;
turf and heirs must be protected -
even songbirds dive bomb for peace.

I watch the hawk spiral skyward,
exiled; nearby he'll await in the field,
ready to attack and make his kill.

No dogma, no ritual disobeyed -
no anger, no prayers;
just death in order to live.

by Margaret Bednar, December 17, 2014

* A group of crows is called a murder.   

I originally had the following as the fourth stanza but I don't think it is necessary and the final stanza is enough.  Who knows I might put it back. 

Legend has it Cain
was banished to the moon;
truce wasn't his motive.

A few medieval legends say the man laboring on the moon is Cain, banished from earth for his sin. 

This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Ah, Mephistopheles!"

"Down a Mountain Hill on Misty Evening"

Down a Mountain Hill on Misty Evening

Whose hills these are I think I know
His barn is down the grassy knoll;
He waits quite patently at end of day
as we meander, make our way

toward open barn doors, refuge dear,
we tread through mist and dampened air.
Between the hills and evergreens
beside the gently flowing streams.

The farmer's voice does call to us
to make our way as dusk descends
and chestnut oaks, maples and pine
do whisper mountain's nighttime threats.

The hills are misty, vast, and deep
but nestled sweetly we do sleep
in our shed of comfort and straw.
in our shed of comfort and straw.

by Margaret Bednar, October 9, 2014




This is for "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads - If only they could talk"  I chose to use a famous poem by Robert Frost "Stopping by Woods on Snowy Evening" (I wasn't able to be as tight with my rhythm and rhyme as Mr. Frost) and re-imagine it a bit from the gentle point of view of these cows I drove by (stopped and photographed of course) while on my weekend getaway this past weekend exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway a bit with my daughter who was on her college fall break.

"Cornsilk"

Cornsilk

The cornsilk of your tail
turns 'round this ninety degree day of hell.

I asked for one sign of beauty
as I settled beneath the shady oak

and here you are - neck outstretched,
shimmering light plays upon your back,

skips like lightening to the old fence line,
sagging barn roof, topless silo

and I concede fifty may be the new forty
and beauty really is ageless.

by Margaret Bednar, June 27, 2014

This is linked with Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - "Let's have a Conversation" a conversational poem (inspiration from Douglas Livingstone) with an animal, portrait, statue or suitable companion of conversation that can be successfully addressed in "Apostrophe".  

"The Island"

On the Hatteras to Ocracoke Island Ferry

The Island

Like lips pursed, red roofs beckon,

whisper enticements while seagulls
draw halos upon a dreamy sky.

Ocean's breeze swoops ahead,
christens our lover's nest
as we arrive, embraced by sandy shore

and a haven's warm, salty kiss.

by Margaret Bednar, May 22, 2014

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Kerry Says - Let's Include Pathetic Fallacy"

T.S. Eliot, whom my oldest son was just talking about today, used human emotion and action to personify all aspects of nature.  I remember on the ferry boat taking this photo and trying to figure out why it intrigued me so… well, I gave it a shot with this poem and rather like it!    I hope you do to.  

"The Ferry Ride"

The Ferry Ride

He turns leeward,
profile takes on salt-splashed wind,
fading light.

My eyes trace familiar
over brow, nose, lips, chin.

Eight thousand sunsets
and love still soars
like the seagulls journeying
from one port to the next.

Safe passage almost guaranteed
with this man of high moral compass,
gentle heart.

All this swells within me
like the waves splashing ship's bow.

If I were to tell him,
he'd make a funny face and I'd laugh.

by Margaret Bednar, May 6, 2014


This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Vignette".  I am posting late as it was last Saturday's challenge.  My husband and I were celebrating our 24th anniversary with an extended stay on Ocracoke Island, NC.  

I hope to share a few photos and inspired poems from our anniversary trip over the next few weeks.

The winner of my personal book of poetry and photography for April's National Poetry Writing Month 2014 is … Lisa Gordon.   

"Yellow Rain Slicker"

Memories flicker 'round her head

of new yellow rain slicker, 

rubber boots to match, pulled on…

dashes outside,

body bends, doubles over,

soars for the big

laughter bubbles, bursts,

body quivers, arms flap,

skips along, unrestricted.

Mother smiles

upon this joyous bouquet

of youthful frivolity

as he jumps again, and again…

until the image,
like film at the end of the reel,
stutters

flip, flip, flip, flip, flip…

The End

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Let's Go to the (Silent) Movies"  This is a reworking of a poem I wrote in April 2012.   I finally did throw this away, just don't have the space for it in my closet - the boots were worn through and the jacket beyond "give-away" status.  He is only six - still not to old for a raincoat.  I might just buy him another today.  

For the month of April, I am participating in NaPoWriMo2014 or National Poetry Writing Month.  The website is HERE.

In celebration of this year's challenge, I will be giving away a free book of my poetry.  If you are interested in participating in this drawing, please click the red logo at the top of my side bar and leave your name and a means to reach (blog, email, etc) you in the comment section.

PLEASE INDICATE YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DRAWING OR I WILL ASSUME YOU ARE JUST COMMENTING.  THANKS. 

"Birthing A Poem"

Birthing A Poem

Rarely is it a bursting desire
or a secret unearthed,
more often it's a pausing,
a quietude that invites reflection.

It's an image often glimpsed,
captured with film, sometimes quickly,
other times background, lighting,
composition agonized over.

It's words poured forth
as if ruptured, flowing effortlessly,
other times doubled over,
labor pains so intense I swear it's the last one -

but after a few days my eye sees an image
my heart wants to hold,
and well, I've rarely been recognized
for my discipline and restraint.

by Margaret Bednar, February 6, 2014

This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Find Your Creative Space".  These photos are examples of me taking my time, and getting lucky with the birds that happened to be flying by.  

"Tanka for Imaginary Garden of Real Toads"

Barren branches reach
Toward St. Joseph's church steeple
As winter's sky burns,
I expel my breath
watch it clear as if absolved.

by Margaret Bednar, January 18, 2014

This is a Tanka for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads Tanks with Hisashi Nakamura"  We have been so amazingly lucky to have his guidance in a two-part series.  I have always enjoyed doing these, and hope I have improved on my understanding of how to execute them.

Note:  I hesitated to use "winter's" as it is so obvious.  I do use "barren" and allude to it being cold.    I originally used "evening's" … any advice or thoughts?

The above photo is an example of me turning the car around and getting out to capture what I glimpsed despite my kids moans and groans. It was worth it I think :)

"Believe"

This is not "Wolf Moon" but I will be out on January 16, 2014 hoping to capture it.

Believe

Wolf Moon witnesses a hunger,
casts a silver spell,
promises time is comprised
of many sunrises, sunsets -

encourages me to howl and listen
as the echoes gather strength, swirl -
questions whether I'll finally dig deep,
stake a claim, believe in myself.

by Margaret Bednar, January 2, 2014

This is for "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads - Kerry's Challenge - Resolutions".  My resolution is to  embrace and nurture creativity more thoroughly - to explore the gifts my kids say I have.  To take art classes, to not be shy about calling myself a poet - something that actually makes me blush and cover my kids mouths when they say I am in public.   My husband mentioned in the family 2013 Christmas letter that I enjoyed writing poetry… and I made him cross it out (didn't want people to laugh at me).

I hereby resolve to believe in myself more, to embrace my gifts… (that was hard to even write!)   Why is it SO easy for me to tell my kids this, but not heed my own words?

Happy New Year everyone.

IGWRT's - Imagined by Kerry - Rhapsody "Wishing'

Wishing

Thunderclouds pass, leave mid-afternoon
soothingly sleepy in soft pastels, find myself
wishing back the promise of rain

to the time we peeled off clothes, danced
like natives 'round the horse trough, whooped,
hollered 'till life-giving rain came, cooled parched lips.

Ol' Joe leans against the now squeaky gate, seeks
nightly rub, carrot, but I walk toward our creek, curious if
Passion Flowers bloom vividly as the night you proposed.

Coolness engulfs, a bee drones, light dims.  I search, smile
when violet lashes and a golden crown peek from tangled vines
and I become young again ...

all I have to do is wait upon the leaning covered porch
until you ride in from the fields... and this time, promise
I won't insist you shower before you kiss me.

Margaret Bednar, July 10, 2013

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Imagined by Kerry "Rhapsody".

• The poem could consist of several parts or variations on a theme.
• Free verse is preferred over form but it should be structured according to the writer's fancy.
• Mixed media could be utilized - especially for those who like to include photography or art with their writing.
• A sense of improvisation is preferable to a piece which is over-worked.
• The mood should be impassioned or exalted. (Some synonyms for 'rhapsodize' include babble, carry on, declaim, freak out, fume, go bananas, orate, prattle and rage.
• The content should focus more on the imaginative than the concrete.

I did try to write this with a flowing mind, to let the "scene" drift and I hope it doesn't seem overworked as I wrote it within fifteen minutes.  Thanks for the challenge, Kerry -- it was a difficult one for me (but I was thrilled to use two of my latest favorite iPhone images!