 |
| Image: Bert Stern |
The world's most recognizable laugh
bestowed red loveless kisses
that floated
and landed
upon adoring fans
who worshipped a character invented
in front of a cold piece of glass.
A friend that didn't lie
as she stood with eyes naked,
exposed,
unable to hide her true allure:
vulnerability;
but fame insisted she pay her debt.
So, with lips painted red,
hair fair and eyes dark,
she hid from image reflected,
trapped, solitary,
inside a world of make believe.
Waved, smiled,
and delighted her fans
with the world's most recognizable laugh.
by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, December 27, 2011
This was written for "Magpie Tales 97" and the prompt is the photo above. I also wrote this for "Poetry Jam" - The theme for this past week was "solitary" and I am linking up late (a new theme comes out tomorrow) AND linked this up to a FUN blog "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads" - Open Link Monday. I also have another version of this poem below. If you have the time to read both, which do you prefer? Also linked up with dVerse's "Open Link Night #24 "
A Character Invented (II)
Red loveless kiss
floats, lands
on adoring fans
who worship
a character
invented in front of a cold piece of glass.
Her friend doesn't lie.
She stands,
eyes naked,
exposed,
vulnerable,
alluring.
Fame insists she pay her debt.
Lips painted red.
Hair fair.
Eyes dark.
Hiding her reflection.
Solitary.
Trapped
inside a world of make believe.
Wave.
Smile.
The world's most recognizable laugh.
by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, December 27, 2011
26 comments:
You can still hear her........
Beautiful!
Chilling and profound! 'Fame insisted she pay her debt' what a line! ...and what a bitter price!
Wow, great poem about a tragic figure. You capture that tragedy so well. Wow.
A strong write about a life that ended way too soon! Fame and beauty cannot guarantee happiness. Thanks for 'jamming' with us.
Wonderful poem, Margaret! I preferred the lead-off second version, though the first can stand on its own as well. Just saw the movie, "My Week With Marilyn," which I heartily recommend. Michele Williams was terrific as Marilyn, and the movie captures what a frail and poignant vulnerability she carried with her in her brief transit.
Sad, sad, sad ,all the way around; with the possible exception of her cheering up the troops...
Oh, I like them both!
I think I prefer the first one, but they are both great!
wonderfully done. i think i like the first one, too, but it might just be because i read it first.
look at your new photo on your sidebar! such a beauty!
I like the second one better but both give the same message. Enjoyed this ~
Hope your Holidays are good ~
I loved that breathless laugh .. and everything else she embodied. Nice writing, Margaret!
oh I was just reading through the magpie tale responses - but actually found this on Real Toads too - so nice to see it up on both! the new edited one builds on what was great about the first incarnation - this was a great write which I enjoyed - the most famous laugh indeed, and the saddest eyes to match... nice! OT
in the second one, i like the lines...
who worship
a character
invented in front of a cold piece of glass.
that captures it so well...nice margaret...i hope you had a great holiday
i like the profile pic too!
a few years ago, a friend of mine talked me into reading her letters and journals, and i'm glad i did, it was nice to finally "meet" the real woman. very well written, great descriptions and insight.
This reminds me of a quote of Andy Warhol about Marilyn. Don't recall the exact words but something to the effect that she had to be what we created her to be. I think Andy might have felt the same way.
so deep and sad
Thank you everyone! Marilyn Monroe is quite and interesting person to ponder and thanks to Tess for providing it! If you haven't already, check out Magpie Tales!
i can hear her laugh, pearling from your lines margaret..and the second one flows beautifully..
The second has tighter lines and images so flows well
Thanks Claudia and John. I know the second one is tighter and probably more poetic.... I tend to like the first better, but I am trying to "grow" and try new things. Thanks for the feedback.
I really like the internally trapped character you exposed here. Nice ending.
~Shawna
(rosemarymint.wordpress.com)
both are lovely, I prefer the second one, however. Also, prefer left-sided alignment - makes for easier reading in my humble opinion.
Margaret Bednar...
You always leave me speachless.
Everything from you is My favorite
Both are just fantastic Margaret!
I wish you a wonderful New Year.
Looks like you have reinvented her !
Post a Comment