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| Doll by Dionne Daniel |
Getting to Happy
by way of the blues
was a long journey
of blue licks; strummed,
ivory; tickled, and lyrics
sung by a people
livin' the good,
survivin' the bad
in Mississippi's Delta
where twelve-bar blues
and repeated woes
defined the times.
Some say we're
still travelin' this road...
I'm yearnin' for a time
when notes,
bent and stretched,
float within a smokey room,
tell of a time, reminiscent.
by Margaret Bednar, 11-26-2012
This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's Sunday-Mini Challenge, "dolls" and for Poetry Jam "Best Sellers" - use a book title from the New York Times Best Seller List. Mine was "Getting to Happy" by Terry McMillan.
Also linked with Open Link Monday over at Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's.
Gorgeous! I loved your take on the blues.
ReplyDeleteA brilliant idea !!!
ReplyDeleteYou are singing the blues down to its roots. Love it!!
ReplyDeleteDown in the Delta n Ill meet you at the crossroads n sing ya dem ol tunes... liking ya Blues :)
ReplyDeleteI yearn for a time
ReplyDeletewhen notes,
bent and stretched
Oh, yeah!
What a fabulous title for this poem!
ReplyDeleteYeah, blues cust straight to the truth. Even when it hurts you always want to hear more.
ReplyDeleteYou are incredibly prolific.
Enjoyed this, poem, Margaret. (And the doll.) Indeed, I think many people have to get to 'happy' by first experiencing the blues!
ReplyDeleteahh, very nice! i'm still hopeful to respond to the doll prompt... those are some truly amazing creations!
ReplyDeleteThis doll gave rise to some gorgeous bluesy numbers!
ReplyDeletethe last lines clinched it.love it when poems speak to us about something more than our personal selves.
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Getting To Happy is usually a long journey. Love the way your words so aptly complement the wonderful doll art. Those kids are SO talented!!!!!!! And what a great project - smart teacher!
ReplyDeleteThis is just beautiful! You really created an amazing poem to go with the great artwork.
ReplyDeleteLove the cadence and pulse of your blues specially the last stanza ~
ReplyDeleteGreat prompt on the dolls Margaret ~
I love your first two lines.
ReplyDeletesmiles...fun...spent a good bit of my time earlier in life listening to the live music in bars...played around a bit myself as well....love some good blues music....
ReplyDeleteThis, Margaret, this, is good writing. Allusion and reference, subtlety and weaving of the words. Really good writing.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the flavor of this, Margaret! VERY cool!
ReplyDeletethanks for joining in at Poetry Jam!
♥
I can imagine it being sung...so well crafted.
ReplyDeleteA great combination of title with the doll! The dolls were such a great art project!
ReplyDeleteA great way to get to happy - through music!
ReplyDeleteGreat pairing of the NY Times best seller and that spectacular doll!!!
ReplyDeleteThe way you describe the notes in the last stanza...so visual...I enjoyed your poem and prompt, Margaret!! Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI love blue licks and ivory; tickled!
ReplyDeleteWow, all of these poems are amazing....
Hope you like mine :D
I especially love the last stanza, tho I also liked getting there too through your bluesy poem. I did something similar, tho I didn't think about 'til later how I gave her all white European heroes. Really! I should've known better--but no one has actually complained yet.
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret and thank the kids, too :D
ReplyDeleteVery nice, Margaret. This reminds me of Preservation Hall in New Orleans. Back in the olden days we were there.
ReplyDelete..