"The Bachelor"

The Bachelor

He'd traded glossy red lips
for cotton pink sunrises,

wet kisses
for salt-splashed cheeks,

flirtatious "promises'
for steady, tail wagging devotion.

Learnt to appreciate the curve
of dolphins' backs slicing the waves,

high tide's bounty
resting upon sandy dunes,

the gliding ballet of gulls
scanning the undulating boundless blue.

Waves, sun, dogs.  Pure simplicity.

by Margaret Bednar, January 30, 2014

This is for Friday Flash 55 - a story in 55 words or less.  I tried to deliver a sunny, no snow story for the G-Man.   Last weekend I visited the "winter' coast of North Carolina's Outer Banks.  This photo was taken on Hatteras Island.  We also ferried over to Ocracoke Island and I fell in love with that sweet, small town.

Below is a photo of a PERFECT shell we found.  Many crash in with the waves and break upon the rocks and sand as they are dragged back and forth, but this obviously was gently deposited high tide.  My daughters were so thrilled.  We brought it home and cleaned it and now it is on display to remind us of sun, sand, and ocean.

"Like Queen Anne's Revenge"

Like Queen Anne's Revenge

Beached
broken, buried
like Queen Anne's Revenge;
bleached, faded
beneath blanket of blue
unless day trippers
pocket 'n display
as treasure

by Margaret Bednar, January 29, 2014

This past two weekends, my daughters and I took weekend trips to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We enjoyed Hatteras and fell in love with Ocracoke Island. The inlet where Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard, was captured and beheaded is located on this island.

We were "day trippers" having taken the ferry to Ocracoke and returning to Hatteras at night fall.

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Words count with Mama Zen" - a twitter-like poem with 140 characters or less.

And an exhibit I hope to visit this summer:

"Pink Ribboned Sky"

Pink Ribboned Sky,

Fluttering upon shoreline, your silvered reflection
shows true beauty.  Unaware of admirers,

you embrace all, choose no favorites.
Leave us poised silent, eyes tear away
only after you dip, sway, bat a silky last wink.

Collectively sigh as gray overtakes pier;
sand and seagrass blend into black.  Our hearts
pledge "We'll be back".  Each season, we are.

Faithfully,
the Vacationers

by Margaret Bednar, January 27, 2014

This is for my prompt for the past weekend over at "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Play it Again, Toads".   Also linked with IGWRT's Open Link Monday as I just got back from the North Carolina Outer Banks (where this image was taken!)

This is a prompt offered by Kerry O'Connor from December, 2014 HERE where we were challenged to write a poem in letter format.

"Time Stands Still"

 Time Stands Still

Unnaturally close we stand.
Sideways you gaze,
yellow eyes hesitantly bold,
questioning … what?

I don't know.  I possibly
have more questions.

Waves lap our feet,
wind disarrays our tresses,
ever so slightly tilt our heads.

I yearn to touch; dignity
and awe prevail.  You slowly
turn, walk away, continue seeking,

and I remember to breath.

Margaret Bednar, January 23, 2014

May, 2011 I took a trip to Hilton Head and experienced a "close encounter" with a Great Blue Heron.  They are naturally very elusive birds, but this one was hanging around the shoreline, seemingly pausing by a few fisherman.  I walked by him, maybe 25 feet away, and I still recall the thrill of what I consider a very unnatural encounter.

I enjoy a blog "Vision and Verb" have followed Ginny Hart of In Soul for a long time (exploring the Netherlands and surrounding area), but recently came across a post by Sue entitled "The Elusive Blue Heron", which tickled me no end.  I have crab walked, tiptoed, practically slithered upon the ground to get photos of these birds… time and again met with rejection.  This past weekend I got a "departure" shot I will have to be satisfied with on my iPhone.

Linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Wednesdays with Peggy - "It's in the Eyes"

This is also linked with Friday Flash 55 - a story (or poem usually in my case) in 55 words - no more, no less! (link up after 8 pm Thursday).

"Good Morning"

Good Morning

The ocean greets me this morning
as if she didn't get a wink of sleep,
one minute lazily laps my toes,
the next, aggressively bellows displeasure
as she plunders my retreating heels.

To be fair, I've had my coffee (three cups
of Costa Rica's finest), two eggs, scrambled,
and will be long gone before the nor'easter
hits - perhaps there's reason for agitation.

Ribbons of pink and yellow peak over her rim, 

release sparkles of light to tumble and dance
upon her distress; notice a gull's tracks
she leaves undisturbed.  He too seems a bit cranky,
surmise if I'd brought food he'd be my best friend.

I leave them each other, hope the warmth
tickles their backs, administers its therapy,
return later for goodbyes, thanks upon my lips,
as delightful I find them, no matter their mood.

by Margaret Bednar, January 21, 2014

I just returned from an impromptu getaway with my youngest daughter.  We had an enjoyable first trip to Hatteras Island, NC and took a ferry ride for a quick trip to Ocracoke Island.  It's just what we needed and some great one-on-one time.  I hope to share photos and a few poems over the next few days.

"Tanka for Imaginary Garden of Real Toads"

Barren branches reach
Toward St. Joseph's church steeple
As winter's sky burns,
I expel my breath
watch it clear as if absolved.

by Margaret Bednar, January 18, 2014

This is a Tanka for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads Tanks with Hisashi Nakamura"  We have been so amazingly lucky to have his guidance in a two-part series.  I have always enjoyed doing these, and hope I have improved on my understanding of how to execute them.

Note:  I hesitated to use "winter's" as it is so obvious.  I do use "barren" and allude to it being cold.    I originally used "evening's" … any advice or thoughts?

The above photo is an example of me turning the car around and getting out to capture what I glimpsed despite my kids moans and groans. It was worth it I think :)

"A Bed of Roses"

A Bed of Roses

Orange marmalade's
the secret ingredient,
real bacon a treat,
maple syrup's drizzled
ever so lightly.

I don't usually
lick my lips in anticipation
nor stretch like a feline
catching morning's rays
as such things can spoil a girl.

Like last night's retreat,
nestled like a bird's nest
high above the busy street,
comfort downed and fragrant,
whirled, salted,
our bodies wrapped, tingling
inside terry cloth robes.

Such simple delights
overseen by smiling hosts
tending us like royals;

Sigh.  We'll be back.

by Margaret Bednar, January 17, 2014


This is for "Imaginary Garden of Real Toad's - Person's of Interest" a challenge presented by Herotomost.  We are to write about a special person we have met while on a vacation.  Well, I mixed it up a bit and wrote about a place.  I usually stay in hotels, but I just might have a thing now for B&B's.  

"Haunted"

Haunted

"A wounded shadow 

slips between stoic trees, silent canons.

Calls his loved one's name.

One bloody hand 

grasps a saber, the other's

eternally outstretched.

It's whispered 

this old battlefield's evening light 

plays games, its trickling brook a portal…"

We rustle through dampened, rotted leaves.

I insist we seek soldier's reflection;

chuckle as my kids scamper.

by Margaret Bednar, January 16, 2104  

These are a few images I took the other day of a nice walking/hiking place nearby - a small revolutionary battlefield that is now a National Park. 

This is linked with G-Man's "Friday Flash 55" - a story (or poem) in exactly 55 words - no more, no less and with dVerse "Meeting the Bar - Verbs!"  Tried to stay in present tense, use more verbs.  

"Plath's New Moon"

Evening Moon through the trees

Plath's "New" Moon

I cling to evening's hem,
fingers entwined with heaven's blue -
a mantle I'm loathe to let go
lest I spiral wild into blackness
of twigs and branches
sharper than any tongue.

I plea forgiveness
as pink wanes gray,
garment's edge disappears -

silence descends
upon yew's upstretched arms
and like a savior,
knuckles moon's mystical murmurings

while I,
scratched and torn, face east,
await dawn's bald golden hue
to slip in with the tide,
for sea birds' spirituous song
to announce salvation's door,

and like a candle protected,
I will cease wavering,
Angelus warm upon my lips
while the bell tower tolls.

by Margaret Bednar, January 15, 2014

Morning over the lake

What a challenge this was for me!  Over at  "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads - Get Listed with Brendan" we are asked to be "freshly inspired" by Sylivia Plath's "The Moon and the Yew Tree".  As I read her poem HERE, I find it dark with little hope (sadly, Plath committed suicide in 1963).

I used all 14 words selected from Plath's poem, angling for a feeling of hope.

The images are not of the ocean nor of yew trees - but this is the best I could come up with on a moment's notice --- funny thing is, I took these photos last evening and this morning before I had read the prompt for this challenge.

"Respite"

Respite

Nature's fury
spent and weary -

all await
her gentle sigh.

Margaret Bednar, January 11, 2014

We had such cold here (for North Carolina) and last night rain, rain, rain and a thunderstorm.  I think the sun is promised to show up tomorrow along with temperatures in the mid 50's.  Thats a nice "sigh" for me.

Linking this with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Open Link Monday".

"Time"

Time

She pauses midday,
tickles forest's edge with fingers
warm and tender.  Beckons me
take notice, give thanks,
humble myself I am not her keeper.

A hectic pace I often set, ignore
her seasonal rhythm, treat life
as a race.  Will I gasp breathless
when blue skies darken, unprepared
to be tucked beneath roots and leaves?

Or will I grasp hold her hand, breath deeply
her mother's nature, accept her promise
to cradle woes as I skip after milkweed tufts
as if childhood dreams of long ago?

Will I learn to court her with smiling face
and eager heart?

by Margaret Bednar, January 10, 2014

This is linked with my monthly challenge over at  "Imaginary Garden of Real Toad's - Artistic Interpretations".  Please feel free to join in the creativity!

Also linked with dVerse - Meeting the Bar - Looking Back, Looking Ahead - I chose the "Hearth, Home, and Common Speech" challenge.  

"Opening Night"

New York at Night - Vivienne Gucwa

Opening Night

South of Midtown
weathered pavers slow my step,
street lamps shroud my shoulders

as I of scripts long since shelved,
resurrect, reminisce; recall mentors' advice,
Mother's biased praise, Father's proud gaze.

Embrace tonight's afterglow
as a new beginning to be handled with care -
the applause, excitement, standing ovation.

Hopefully remain convinced critic's reviews
won't matter.

by Margaret Bednar, January 9, 2014

This is for The Mag #201 and also will be linked with Friday Flash 55 after 8pm.  My son is in his Jr. year of college as a drama major.  I know he has his heart set on New York…    The poem isn't quite what I wanted it to be - I will probably come back at a later date and flesh it out a bit more… but for now, 55 words is all I have time for.  Go visit both links - the talent is amazing.

"Winter Beach"

Winter Beach

It's refreshing, this January beach
whose secrets still wash ashore,
offer my girls smoothed stones,
wave tossed shells, an odd feather or two.

Our cheeks flush from biting wind,
waves laughingly avoided -
not embraced as in June.

Yet this winter rush offers
a lingering sharpness of which
sun drenched days can't compete -

kind of like the difference between
chocolate chip mint ice cream
and rainbow sherbet:
one caters to the sweet tooth,
the other cleanses the palate.

With necks scarf-wrapped,
hands pocketed, we hurry along
the trackless sand, take the stairs
two by two to the boardwalk,

glance upwards as pelicans
glide single file against the soothing sky,
become our evening prayer.

by Margaret Bednar, January 6, 2014

Two of my girls and I visited the coast of Wilmington, NC this past weekend.  Windy, gusty, chilly and so fun!  This is linked with Imaginary Garden with Real Toads Open Link Monday.   Also linked with dVerse Poets Pub - Open Link Night #127.

"The Kora"

The Kora

Twenty one strings set me spinning,
not so much dancing as joyously traversing
a melodious harmony.

My hips embrace a rhythm foreign,
my smile soars into the clouds,
floats back to me - younger, happier, more carefree.

I dip my finger into the pond,
strum lightly its still surface,
wake it up.  Realize life can be simple -

it all depends upon the tune I hum.

by Margaret Bednar, January 3, 2014

This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Music with Marian".  Our inspiration today is listen to two of Africa's most distinguished musicians, the late guitarist Ali Farka Toure and kora player Toumani Diabate and write a poem…

I alway love a bass (my son plays upright and guitar) as well as guitar (he plays that as well) but I was rather intrigued by the kora - a 21 string bridge-harp.  The sound makes me happy.

"Believe"

This is not "Wolf Moon" but I will be out on January 16, 2014 hoping to capture it.

Believe

Wolf Moon witnesses a hunger,
casts a silver spell,
promises time is comprised
of many sunrises, sunsets -

encourages me to howl and listen
as the echoes gather strength, swirl -
questions whether I'll finally dig deep,
stake a claim, believe in myself.

by Margaret Bednar, January 2, 2014

This is for "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads - Kerry's Challenge - Resolutions".  My resolution is to  embrace and nurture creativity more thoroughly - to explore the gifts my kids say I have.  To take art classes, to not be shy about calling myself a poet - something that actually makes me blush and cover my kids mouths when they say I am in public.   My husband mentioned in the family 2013 Christmas letter that I enjoyed writing poetry… and I made him cross it out (didn't want people to laugh at me).

I hereby resolve to believe in myself more, to embrace my gifts… (that was hard to even write!)   Why is it SO easy for me to tell my kids this, but not heed my own words?

Happy New Year everyone.