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.