Sunday, April 15, 2018

"Alias"



Alias

"So long a song will run that people learn it" Francois Villon, The Ballad of the Proverbs 

It's true, I write poetry because I can't sing or dance.
Not that I didn't try.  Many an LP was scratched
as I fought for breath control and vibrato,
many a thigh bruised as I bumped into table corners;

Mother in the kitchen, encouraging,
can only imagine how often she grimaced.

I'm not tone deaf, realize I'll never harmonize
let alone sing the melody other than alone in my car.
Not exactly a wallflower, but a few glasses of wine
and I've gained a bit of dance floor bravado.

I've birthed six children, all melodious and coordinated,
all have embraced the creative life
either as actor or artist.

Heard my youngest say with enthusiasm the other day
his mother was a poet.  In private, let it roll off my tongue.

I like the sound of it.

Margaret Bednar, April 15, 2018

The phrase "I write poetry because I can't sing or dance" was lifted from a poem written by Walt Wojtanik from the blog "Through the Eyes of a Poet's Heart".

The Villon quote makes me laugh because it really does not ring true for me... to this day songs I've heard all my life I don't have memorized... so even if I had the talent to be on stage, it would be a disaster :)  The Ballad of the Proverbs, Francois Villon

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Serendipity and a Poet"

and linked with  NaPoWriMo 2018 (30 poems in 30 days) 

16 comments:

Kerry O'Connor said...

His mother is a poet! Lovely.

Gillena Cox said...

You must be happy hearing what your son said. The way you described your attempts at singing made me smile and giggle a little.
I enjoy your poetry and that includes today's
Thanks for your response to today's prompt

Much🌼love

Ellecee said...

I can relate so well to your poem, I have often felt the felling you describe regarding singing and coordination. And, Over the Rainbow is one of my favourite songs and always brings a tear to my eye. I read and listened selfishly today. Thank you for these moments :-)

Sanaa Rizvi said...

I think it's lovely that the creative gene runs in your family, Margaret!💞 I hope one day my kids proudly speak of me too (when I have them that is.. lol) Happy Sunday!💞☕

annell4 said...

You are telling my story in your poem, no singing or dancing for me...the connections have grown thin, so I write and laugh, or thrill myself, with some thought or two. I enjoyed it all, each word from you.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

I so relate to this poem. I realize my mom had a lot of patience, all those hours i spent singing along with records.

tonispencer said...

Now this video I love! My poor parents had such patience with me but they encouraged my poetry,no matter how bad it was. I think it is lovely that his mother is a poet. the creative gene flows through your family.

Kim M. Russell said...

I like the image in the lines:
'Many an LP was scratched
as I fought for breath control and vibrato,
many a thigh bruised as I bumped into table corners'.

Vivian Zems said...

A beautiful video! You must be one very proud mum. I bet it sounded strange when your son said that. :)

ayala said...

Lovely!

kaykuala said...

Heard my youngest say with
enthusiasm the other day
his mother was a poet. In private,
let it roll off my tongue.

You are blessed Marge, with so many talented children in the family. Not surprising as it rubbed off from your talented self! Congrats!

Hank

Jim said...

That is an honor, Margaret, to have your own kid say that his mom was a poet.
..

Jim said...

Now I can read your blog and leave comments again. Still this morning it would not take them even from thisold Galaxy 5. Tonight is fine.
..

Anonymous said...

His Mother 'IS' ;)

Rosemary Nissen-Wade said...

I totally relate. I come from a family of good singers and dancers – except for me, tone-deaf, uncoordinated, and with a poor sense of rhythm. (In my poetry I have had to work hard at timing and cadence, to compensate.) But much as I would love to be able to do those things, if it has to be a choice, I'd rather be a poet – wouldn't you?

purplepeninportland.com said...

Love that your son has such high praise for his mother. What a creative family you have! Totally get the singing dream.