Wednesday, September 14, 2011

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.  

24 comments:

Jinksy said...

Poor birds, but nice stone! And would you believe, I painted the original graphic in the same orientation you have here? Although that was much larger- I cropped it to a small section for Tandem. I think you read my mind!
(I've emailed separately about your Linky list entry.)
Thanks for playing again. ♥

gautami tripathy said...

So very good!

spoken inside the mind

Ruth said...

The painting by Jinksy is gorgeous.

I love your poem, and imagining what the river feels, speeding up as she approaches the precipice. And ending with that beautiful word "travertine" is brilliant!

jabblog said...

Giving the river a persona is clever.

Maude Lynn said...

This is really lovely. I love the sound and feel of "eternal emerald, sage, and jade."

Laurie Kolp said...

Margaret~ I'm supposed to critique this piece (we're linked beside each other at dVerse), but I can't find anything but good in this poem... well-chosen words, tone, vivid images... a great piece.

Jannie Funster said...

Margaret! I knew in an instant that was a Jinksy painting!

You now what I love?? That you are expressing your art with such passion, with all you most likely have to do in your very busy life. A talented woman of many facets.

Can I please be you when (if) I grow up? :)

xo

Monkey Man said...

Beautifully scripted visuals.

me said...

The first thing I want to say is that before I finished the first stanza, I got lost into how graceful I felt and had forgotten what the title was. By the time I was done, I was envisioning a middle-aged woman who had gone through a difficult time in life and now is gleefully dancing through life, carving a new path with a new sense of freedom. It was like the entire poem was one large metaphor with metaphors sprinkled throughout. AFter reading it a few more times, I could follow the river through its journey. I especially liked "her crystal blue veneer", and how you engage the reader in the second stanza regarding the falls.

There is nothing I can add to this... I am just very new to reflecting on other's writing, so I need more experience with the perception shifts before I make any recommendations, particularly to writing that doesn't completely fit any of my personal styles.

A very beautiful write. It was my pleasure to have this opportunity.

G-Man said...

Margaret Bednar...
Your beautiful verse certainly belongs with that vibrant art work!
Loved your 55 My Friend.
Top Notch...Everything!
Thanks for playing, and have a Kick Ass Week-End...G


(BTW...Your prayers are very much welcomed, But I'm OK. I got the card for pain relief because of some meds that I take...You are sooo Sweet!)

hedgewitch said...

I enjoyed your river poem, and enjoyed even more 'leafing through' your grandmother's Yellowstone diary. Amazing to have those images from back then captured and kept. Thanks for sharing both.

izzy said...

Travertine is a marvelous word! and such a grand picture to work from-it really feels glacial to me, thanks.

Brian Miller said...

very nice...love the personification of the river...the initials erased makes a great closing touch and love that word travertine...

Alice Audrey said...

She sounds like quite the fun river.

Daydreamertoo said...

Very dramatic and vivid in its imagery. A great 55

Akelamalu said...

Your poem compliments the picture so well. :)

Dave King said...

Excellent take on the image. I was particularly impressed by the final stanza.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

very lovely 55.

strong ending lines.

Lydia said...

What a beautiful description of a mighty river, and along with Jinksy's wonderful art this was simply an explosion of creativity!

Shauna said...

lovely. your love and respect for
nature come shining thru. in this
remarkable tribute.

Unknown said...

A beautiful journey taken by natures flow ...loved it thank you x

Olivia said...

Loved the choice of words and flow!
Mindblowingly enchanting..

hugs xo

Unknown said...

You prompted me to re-read and then reconsider the obvious, but also the subtle, meanings of resurrection.

Sheilagh Lee said...

I love your poem