Wednesday, July 23, 2014

"A Mother's Pondering"



A Mother's Pondering

Wings heavy with annoyance pick up speed, beat faster
than a diva's lashes.  Your parting words indecipherable
as I don't speak heron - but annoyance is universal.

Time and again I've held my breath, tried to come close.
Perhaps shyness I can understand, even recognize the need
for solitude - for wariness is evident in your tilted head.

You're often a blur in photographs:  s-curve neck, pointed toes,
expansive wings - a moment frozen - somehow a reminder that time
becomes memories - every second, day, week, month, year

all seem equally like yesterday, equally unchangeable.

I hope I embrace those I love with the same exuberance I feel when you stretch
and glide before my eyes.  Hope I've given my children the freedom to soar
without feeling the need to flee, without the need to lament my presence.

by Margaret Bednar, July 23, 2014



This is linked with dVerse - Poetics - Time & Time Again.  

21 comments:

Sumana Roy said...

a beautifully reflective verse...the first part's sheer beauty...love the image of the heron...precious moments are frozen in memory forever
...love the mother's pondering too..

Grace said...

Stunning pictures Margaret ~ I can so relate to your mother's heart ~ But if you have brought them up well, then surely you will find them returning to you ~

Mary said...

Love the photo, Margaret. Yes, so quickly time becomes memory, Moment after moment they move forward, blurring in the process oftentimes. An idea well captured here in words & picture alike.

Gabriella said...

I love your metaphorical use of the heron, its attitude and energy. And, as always, I enjoyed your photos.

TexWisGirl said...

really liked this, margaret. well done.

Glenn Buttkus said...

A terrific image & message. Maybe the government should print A GUIDE TO PARENTING, not that many of us would pay attention to it. I raised 3 daughters, we have had the empty nest for 10 years now; which gave impetus to 5 grandchildren, & three great son-in-laws to join the family circus. I like your line
/all seems equally like yesterday, equally unchangeable/.

Anonymous said...

I don't speak heron - and I barely speak teenager! well-crafted, Margaret ~

Jenny Herner said...

Lovely! I especially liked "beat faster than a diva's lashes"! Wonderful!

Sherry Blue Sky said...

INCREDIBLE photos to have caught with an iphone. The top one is as good as any art print out there. Wow. And your poem is wonderful. You gave your children both roots and wings, so they may fly, but they will always come back to tell you where they've been!!!!

Claudia said...

giving them the freedom to soar and hold them when needed - think if we manage that balance, we're doing pretty well as parents...love the image you use margaret

Kathryn Dyche said...

Such beautiful ponderings and I love the diva lashes reference.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful metaphoric poem, Margaret. I'm always happy to "run into" you! And your work, of course.

Jeff said...

"freedom to soar without the need to flee." Beautiful thoughts here, so well written!

Michael said...

This is a beautiful poem Margaret, I love that final verse as I also have 6 children and I hope they too have been given the freedom to be the people they are.

RMP said...

this is beautiful. even in blurred flight, you capture her perfectly. I enjoyed the ponderance at the end that you have taken away from these fleeting moments.

TCPC said...

very poignant. Margaret. its been quite a while i visited you page and glad that i did not miss this one. i relate to every word spoken here, every verse knitted here.

Anonymous said...

Amazing photos... beautiful feelings you describe.. love the use of metaphors, how you describe the heron's beauty, and the passage of time that affects us all.. very moving write! :-)

Vandana Sharma said...

Lovely photographs!

Carrie Van Horn said...

Sigh....this is beautiful Margaret...and I love the new look of your blog! :-)

Arathi Harihar said...

beautiful margaret..i loved your closing lines..:)

Myrna R. said...

What a lovely poem. It is so soft and yet full of emotion, even a little fear that your children will not appreciate your presence, your gifts. I really enjoyed reading this.