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| Fried Pickels, Hushpuppies, & She-Crab Soup - Hyman's Restaurant, Charleston, SC |
I've never had a soft
nor flirtatious voice,
just a matter-of-fact,
tell-it-like-it-is
(I prefer to call it) honest
approach to life.
My manners aren't rude,
though that label's
been thrown at me
a time or two.
I'd love to think
"Darlin'", "Shuga", "Honey"
unnecessary bedazzlements
that need never tickle my tongue,
but moving South, I've learned:
to quench my thirst with sweet tea;
appreciate coleslaw in my barbecue;
praise hushpuppies and she-crab soup;
enjoy okra, pickles, tomatoes - fried.
Why not learn to bat my lashes,
hover a smile about my lips,
purr, "Well, bless your heart,
Sweetie"?
They say a Southern Belle
is a gentle soul. I see her
as a damn fine actress.
by Margaret Bednar, June 2, 2013
This is my RANT for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's - A Birthday in June - Get Ready to Howl" celebrating birthday boy, Allen Ginsberg. My rant is not political, but personal. If I wasn't SO STUBBORN, I'd have made life a lot easier for myself and embraced a bit of southern charm. Maybe a few more mint juleps and we will see...
How to Make a Traditional Southern Mint Julep Cocktail:
20 comments:
Love this...especially a damn fine actress. I have a tendency to put the hand on my hip while I glare with a smile. I have too much of my mama's attitude in me. :)
Ah, well... I've often been asked why I have to be so honestly averse to comp'ny, with no ability to sugar-coat my acerbic manners with charm. People must take me as they find me, if they can find me.
Margaret, this is a great piece! I do wonder if Southerners who move to the North find it so different too....or if they have an easier time adjusting to Northern Ways.
This is priceless. It's true, all those soft endearments have double meanings, depending. You have to have a Southern-to-English phrasebook to know!
i LOVED this! having relocated to texas, it's a bit more cowboy southern but still very southern. and i had to morph my ways, too. :)
Texas. The country of boots, hats, and attitude! I loved living in San Antonio for three years
A very introspective rant
Damn right she is! Love this, Margaret!
love it, Margaret. stick to those guns :)
LOVE that last line. :)
Great poem Margaret, y'all aced it, Honeypie!
I've lived South, North, East, West ~ does that make me an Academy Award winning actress ???
Oh, Lord, Margaret, it's SO true. I lived in a small town with my pastor hubby and was supposed to fit into the round hole of the last pastor's wife. Me, the square peg. I didn't even try. I decided to be a calm version of myself and they still hated my guts.
Guess I don't try when I know I'm bound to lose anyway... you are to be applauded for your effort. I cannot spare the energy!! Amy
Just be yourself, Margaret. It's the best any of us can do, in the long run.
K
Mmm...love your take on a rant, Margaret!! AND now I'm craving some great Southern food! ;)
Bravo Margaret!
I'm living it-I'm not from here, so my transplanted roots sometimes are in shock! Shock lives everywhere though...
I've missed your poetry ~ this has an elegant yet downright sassy, hot, cool flaver! A Southern blossom ! I'm grateful I didn't miss this~ Been ill, but getting better ~ Thank you for letting your art explode! Faithfully Debbie
I love your howl. And in Scarlett O'hara style, yes, she is an actress! Well said, kiddo.
Yes, Mam, exactly. Took me awhile to learn this as a new Southerner. I am not sure I ever learned the act and the power!
It is hard to flirt! Love your honest voice :)
I lived in SC for 5 years and never could fit in! I found it funny that the women there would say things like, "He's dumber than a bag of rocks, bless his heart." I do miss the sweet tea and barbeque, though!
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