Tuesday, February 24, 2015

"A Yellow Flower, Pressed"

Yew trees from the UK - "google images"

A Yellow Flower, Pressed

Praise the Oh Lord...

like mist evaporates, I skirt away,
hymnal discarded, chants faintly heard
as I race beneath bowing Yews, until
I see you  through the panes

God of Mercy,

I sigh, your image magnificent,
fills the Great Hall, makes it look small.
I hear you laugh - contagious, I smile,
spy your hand upon hounds head -
recall last night's caress beneath
watchful bishop's painted gaze.

Oh Taste and See,

you pluck a grape, teeth graze its skin,
lick, lean back upon heavy mantel,
eyes wander toward hearth's rug
and I know you recall.

Ask of Me,

not much, for brave I will
another moonless night for echoes
to reverberate in this vast room,
promises captured, muffled by red velvet,
dawn's soft pastel light befalling
a sight of limbs and hair co-mingling.

God of Grace,

we prayed for courage, for victory
beneath arches, hands clasped,
my eyes drawn to not bible held,
but flickering candlelight along your jaw.
Plead for another night before you depart.
will recite, will cherish my knight's
yellow flower placed between breasts
now pressed within prayerbook,
finally able to pray, for

Blessed is the Man.

by Margaret Bednar, September 27, 2013

Image found HERE

This was originally written in September of 2013 and I apologize for not posting an original poem for this challenge for "dVerse - Poetics - time to get a little medieval"

I tried to take things from the room - the bible, the flowers, the candles and also the setting and use if for this piece.  Go and take a look , give it a try!  The image of the room is a miniature on display at the Art Institute of Chicago.  

21 comments:

Brian Miller said...

it is a very cool model...
and a lovely story that you cast from it...i love the romanticism of it...the love and desire between the lady and her knight...and intriguing twist as well throughout of scriptureque...i heard a little psalm 34 in there...

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Oh that image is wonderful and I love the poem......this took me back to a time long gone....and so beautifully.

Claudia said...

i hope they are granted another night before he has to leave....and hope that he will be back un-wounded.. beautiful description of the scene and the longing

Unknown said...

the emotion is so strong in this write.. I feel the want that weighs heavy on the heart for her knight in shinning armour...

brudberg said...

The secrecy of glances and meeting in midnight trysts.. The fear and love, and the parting , a story of foreboding fear, I wonder if it's the end or a beginning.

Katie Mia Frederick said...

Yes.. i enjoyed how you brought the objects in the photo to life.. where knight becomes light.. in words that do flow..:)

Vaccinius said...

The romanticism of this appears only strange in the realism of today. The woman is a whore and the man is a dog, by psychology the instincts of man has been explained, and there is no room for impractical ideas.

Sumana Roy said...

story woven with soft, subtle threads of romanticism..there is light and darkness, courage and apprehension...beautiful

mrs mediocrity said...

What a fascinating concept... loved the tour through this room as well as your imagination!

Gabriella said...

There is a whole story behind these parting words. Is he going to war or on a crusade? Will he return unscathed?

Myrna R. said...

Both the image of the room and the images you created with your words are lovely. The poem is perfect for the prompt.

Mary said...

Wonderful photo and creative medieval poetry! And alas, it seems they are going off to war...

Maude Lynn said...

I remember this one! Love the call and response feel.

Truedessa said...

I could feel the romance in the air and the longing for one more night as she watches him. It was a time when one never knew if your love would return from battle.

Grace said...

This is beautifully written Margaret, specially the last stanza ~ Your voice is heart felt and full of devotion ~

Kathy Reed said...

Indeed you captured the details and beauty of the period, giving us a sense of what it must have been like to have actually lived in those times. Beautiful, Margaret!

Anonymous said...

The breathless longing - loved this romantic tale!

Outlawyer said...

So interesting to site the poem in the room, Margaret--and a wonderful sense of refrain, with the separate prayers. Thanks. K. Manicddaily

Justin Lamb said...

I'm impressed by the poem that you wrote based on the scene in the photo. Nicely done.

Anonymous said...

homely imagery,
your words always bring us confidence, energy, and hope to a room.

grapeling said...

fits the prompt well ~