"Beneath the Magnolia Tree", a poem

Beneath the Magnolia Tree

Alluring fragrance
cloaks my senses with desire
my thoughts full of you,
I anticipate your kiss
'neath the magnolia tree.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, June 22, 2011

This is a Tanka - a count of 5-7-5-7-7 and usually has a reference (sometimes indirectly) to a season...if a  Magnolia is in bloom it is either spring or summer.  I submitted this to One Stop Poetry's "One Shot Wednesday".   Click to see between 100 - 200 poetic efforts!

I entered the above photo in "Your Sunday Best" - My favorite post/photograph of the past week.  Click to see other selections!

I adore these flowers and love that they come in different colors.  I stood under a tree the other day and was BLOWN away with the overpowering fragrance... no kiss, but maybe this will give my husband a few ideas... I can just imagine a romantic picnic lunch under such a tree as this...

"Gone with the Wind" is celebrating it's 75th anniversary this year and this novel and Magnolia blossoms are forever linked in my mind with the South.  A blog I enjoy "Recollections of a Vagabonde" has highlighted a bit of trivia and/or nostalgia about GWTW.  (Click on the blog's name to read her post).

The photo below is for "Black & White Wednesday".

Tanka - "Reassuring Promise", Haiku - "Bliss", 145/365

Reassuring Promise

Fall's fading embrace

Promises a future spring

As your lips touch mine,

Your last breath reassuring

"Goodbye" is not forever.

by Margaret Bednar

The above poem is a Tanka for "One Stop Poetry Form Monday".  I suppose one could say it is similar to a haiku, but more difficult.  The traditional Tanka hints at a season and has a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable count.  What I find intriguing is that the third line is the "bridge" and actually ties two poems that could stand on their own, together.  I believe it is supposed to involve the senses more than sentiment.  I'm thinking mine leans more towards sentiment, but this is my attempt.  Click on One Stop (above) to learn more.  This week it is co-hosted with Lady Nyo.  She has a book coming out soon via lulu.com entitled "White Cranes of Heaven".    The second photo above is for "Macro Monday."

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We had wonderful weather this past weekend.  Or so we thought, we transplants from the northern state of Michigan.  Almost 60 degrees, I believe.  Which means shorts and t-shirts for our gang - we did get a few strange looks from people who were still wearing jackets.  The photo below is for "The Creative Exchange".  None of them are perfectly lit, but I believe they capture the joy of the moment.

Skipping and laughing

Hearts soaring with spring's promise

Bliss is this moment

The above poem is for the February Monthly "Haiku Challenge".  The prompt word is "bliss".

The photo below is for "Patterns and Repetitions in February".

I played hooky from house work and today I am suffering the consequences.  Isn't that when we pitch more than we keep?  It does make things easier - and it's a good thing the kids are in school when this style of "cleaning" occurs!

Tanka, "My Purpose", 139/365

"Photo courtesy of Bonnie of Original Art Studio 

My world is fragrant,

each bloom vibrant and lovely.

Life's force glorified.

Purity, honesty, hope

still freshly worn and displayed.

Each "rose" my joy, my purpose.

by Margaret Bednar

This is my attempt at a new poem format for me... Tanka.  One Stop Poetry is featuring it today.  It is a 5-7-5-7-7-7 syllable line count.


This is my tribute to my children, whom I love with all my heart.  But now I'm rethinking this as a "tanka" poem was usually a message sent to a lover... oh well, I will try it again this week.  :)


The above photo is by Bonnie of "Original Art Studio".  I adore her Photoshop techniques, poetry, and heartfelt posts.  She was gracious enough to offer this as a free download and I printed out 10 cards and have sent them off to family with photos inside of the kids, of course.  Please check out her beautiful blog! 


I truly hope that today is a lovely day for each of you.  Happy Valentine's Day.


Below are three photos of the roses my oldest son gave me this weekend.  The third one is for Macro Monday and the second one is for "Black & White Wednesdays" - although I had a hard time deciding which I liked better - I really do like the texture of the first b&w rose.  Which do you like better?  The first one I am submitting for "Patterns & Repetitions in February."  

Tender Sacrifice

Renders one fragile and strong

Love's unique nature

by Margaret Bednar

The above is for the "Haiku Challenge" - daily haiku for each day of February. Todays theme is "Love", of course!  Click HERE to read submissions.