In Tandem #21 - "Eternity's Bosom"

Louis Charles Moeller - American Painter 1855-1930

"Eternity's Bosom"

Before the altar we stood,

veil lifted, I shyly met his eyes.

Mozart's music engulfed us

as time stood still,

I, clinging to his hand with my left

and holding nosegay in my right.

A thin place we seek each year
inviting divine mystery's embrace, 

joining countless others

who have gone before

and will go after.

For fifty years, upon this date

we have sat beside our hearth

my eyes now seek boldly, his.

Our love's strength cherished

as Mozart's melody permeates our being

and a bit of nosegay

is placed within my hands.

I press these moments to my heart,

thankful for another thin place of time,

Our vows transcended

and held fast

to eternity's bosom.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, December 6, 2011

* * * * *

The artwork from "In Tandem" was the original prompt for this poem and is actually a painting of a tree, I believe.  It reminded me of "nosegay.

I also linked up with dVerse "Open Link Night".  

I also found quite a bit of inspiration from a post by George of "Transit Notes" - "Music As a Thin Place".  Not sure I truly captured the essence of what a "thin place" means, as I think it is usually captured when one is solitary.  But a few times I believe I have witnessed a look between an elderly couple that comes close.   

In Tandem - "Possibilites"

My daughter's silk painting (before it was "ironed")

Possibilites

At her fingertips

a rainbow exits,

youthful exuberance

sprinkled like fairy dust

upon pristine avenues

yet untried and 

still aglow 

as her imagination

conquers all

unaware 

she might fail;

her world

still magical.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, November 28, 2011

This is for "In Tandem".  Click on the link to see the creativity of others... and consider writing something yourself!

Also linked this up to dVerse Poets Pub:  Open Link Night Week 20 - it IS the place to be if you like poetry!  Check it out and even better, participate!  

In Tandem & Friday Flash 55 - "The Challenge"

The Challenge

Gaze intense,

he plucks the strings

intending to shock,

excite, start a rebellion

forcing his hometown 

to see him as a young man

filled with ideas, life, and passion!

Hendrix fills the air.
The young girls scream.

Women sigh, remembering.
Men narrow greying eyes

remembering, too,

vowing

to keep a close eye
on their daughters.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, November 16, 2011

* * * * *

My son LOVES Hendrix and I have to say I appreciate his amazing talent on the guitar... but he should have never tried to sing!  (sorry)

This is for this week's "In Tandem".  Jinksy was kind enough to once again use two of my watercolors.  Click on the link to see the other one and read the other poems for the prompts.

This is actually the second version of this poem.  I reduced it to 55 words and I think it reads a bit better this way AND it also can now be linked to "Friday Flash 55" ... a story in 55 words!  

In Tandem - "A Parental Warning"

Artwork courtesy of Jinksy for "In Tandem"

A Parental Warning

Baby hold tightly this month of May

as Savanna's rivers run swiftly. 

Forget not, its death force

 can carry you far away!

Cling to me as we quench our thirst,

with its life-giving coolness.

Remember, my little baboon,

it's a jungle out there.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, November 7, 2011

It DOES look like a baboon with a baby, right?  Give it a try yourself.  Click HERE to be transported to "In Tandem #17", a weekly artistic prompt for you to write poetry or short prose to.  

In Tandem #14 "Securely Wrapped"

Image provided by Jinksy for "In Tandem"

Securely Wrapped

Colorfully, boldly

this counterpane I stitched;

once youthful fingers

anticipating

love's journey.

Beneath these vibrant patches,

wrapped, secure, and safe,

our arms encircled

as we dreamed, celebrated,

and wept.

Faithful tufted stitches

faded and thinned,

have persevered

and now

matronly fingers

pull its warmth

over your fragile figure

as your dear, sweet face I cherish.

Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, October 18, 2011

Image provided by Jinksy for "In Tandem"

This is for "In Tandem".  And I will also link this up to Mr. Know-it-All's Friday Flash 55 - A story in 55 words.  You can link up this Thursday after 8pm. 

In Tandem #10 - "The Yellowstone River"

Art courtesy of Jinsky from "In Tandem"

The Yellowstone River

With ease she meanders
amongst ridges and bends,
lace-like swirls dancing
backward and forward,
her crystal blue veneer reflecting
eternal emerald, sage, and jade.

Frolicking towards sandstone bluffs,
does she anticipate
the excitement ahead?

Abandoning caution,
she recklessly plunges
over the precipice.

Through stratified rock
resurrected she rises,
her initials omitted
from the travertine.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, September 14, 2011

* * * * *

I got productive this evening and killed three birds with one stone.  I am submitting this to "In Tandem #10" a fun writing prompt using the image above, and "Three Word Wednesday" - the words are backward, ease, and omission (which I changed to omitted - I hope that is OK!) and to Mr. Know-it-All's "Friday Flash 55" which I will link up to on Friday.

I also linked this post to dVerse's "Meeting the Bar- Critique & Craft".  I am so thankful that this blog is here for the poets and poet-want-to-be's ... the second one is me :)  Check it out... the creativity will astound you.  

Friday Flash 55 & In Tandem - "The Abyss of Blue"

Art courtesy of Jinsky for "In Tandem"

The Abyss of Blue

Permanent ink disappears
on torn parchment, piece
by piece, as love's letters
of disappointment
float from my fingertips.

A life's devotion
sinks into the abyss
of blue as thoughts of you
spiral downward
into a watery grave.

I lift my head
from this vault of tears
and raise my eyes
towards the sun's
autumnal rays.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, September 8, 2011

Art courtesy of Jinsky for "In Tandem"

Come join the FUN and participate or read the talent at either the "G-Man's" blog "Mr. KnowItAll" a story in 55 words.  (I will link up with that tonight after 8pm) or Jinksy's blog "In Tandem" - write a prose or poetry prompt using one or both of the above images.

Note:  It recently noticed I usually write sad and tragic...why do I tend to write heartbreaking pieces (I am very happily married, btw)  It is really hard for me to write "happy" and "funny".  Does anyone else have that "problem"?  Is it easier to write sad and unhappy?   :)

In Tandem #8 - "My Masquerade"

Artwork courtesy of Natasha for "In Tandem #8"

My Masquerade

Through the looking glass

she often startles me,

her accusing gaze

seeing through

my masquerade.

Camouflaged within

she occasionally peeks through

my veil of sarcasm and pretense.

She wants out.  I lower my lashes

to block her escape

and let the music's beat

take control

as hands reach out

to touch, to exploit

and exotic lights flicker

orange, blue and red.

Survive, I will

as long as she remains concealed

and I remember to dance

with my eyes closed.

Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, September 4, 2011

* * * * *

This is for Jinksy's "In Tandem #8".  Write your own response to the above art work OR go to her sight by clicking HERE and select another, less vibrant image.

I also am entering this into one of my favorite poetry sites:  dVerse's "Open Link Night #8".  dVerse offers a number of things throughout the week and they are a first class site.  Check them out! 

In Tandem #6, "A Day at the Beach (also Friday Flash 55)

Courtesy of Penny Smith

A Day at the Beach

Childhood dreams
ride the wave of possible.

A youth's frontier of
soaring imagination,

fragile yet durable.
Hopes frolicking and

rolling about, unhindered,
free of bigotry, intolerance,
greed and hatred.

Illusory beliefs encouraged
by adulating guardians

cheering them on
while revisiting their own

faded yearnings
nurtured into existence

once again
with a day at the beach

By Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, August 19, 2011

* * * * *

This is for Friday Flash 55 (a story or poem in 55 words or less) and In Tandem #6.    Penny Smith has a number of blogs and recently started a challenge where one is prompted to write to original graphics or paintings.  My watercolor sketch of the two girls on the beach was selected this week along with Penny Smith's graphic.  Give it a try... she adds a new one each Wednesday.

I also entered this in the AWESOME dVerse blog.  If you like poetry, please do yourself a favor and check it out... and try submitting a poem of your own.