Spring Nectar

Spring Nectar

Raven wings smudge golden breast of harvested mountain field,
glide across her, caressingly (as I gaze up at shapeshifting clouds).

Tree Swallows serenade rapturous blue skies, flirty flight a delight
as they dart amongst rowan trees (as I hum Blue Skies and slowly spin).

whose berries will burst beneath September skies;
red blooms akin to an irresistible kiss (it's impossible to think so far ahead),

for now is right as rain and scarlet maples are bursting tranquil vibes,
their shade Heaven-sent (as I settle beneath),

promise I'll return to chase the moonlight, try and quench
this obsession; sip from nectar that is spring.

by Margaret Bednar, May 30, 2019

This is linked with the challenge I am hosting over at "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Artistic Interpretations - Color it"  Use five words from the Sherwin Willimas "Fan Deck".  I used 13.

Also wanted to share with you the beauty that is a Rowan Tree (we call it the American Mountain Ash or the American Rowan Tree).  I will be on the lookout for it here in September...  (cursor down to see the red berries)  https://www.carolinanature.com/trees/soam.html

Mountain Rosebay

Courting Cowbirds... she lays her eggs in other bird's nests... 

Mountain Rosebay

My rhododendrons are birthing birds,
Towhees, Cardinals, and a pair of courting cowbirds
all scampering beneath
mountain rosebay's tightly fisted buds,
as if a mother's skirt, protective -

hop up her evergreen arms
leading them to my feeders. I'm still waiting
for my pileated woodpecker, but imagine
he'll be bolder, fly in
from the stand of dead trees across the road.

Glorious May, I await, when fragrant,
large blooms will blush lavender
and butterflies will flock to her nectar
within this woodland garden
where my rose tree will be
the bell of the ball for a swirl or two
come spring.

by Margaret Bednar, April 5, 2019

The birdfeeder I am getting to attract the big Pileated Woodpecker that lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains...

https://wildbirdsunlimited.typepad.com/the_zen_birdfeeder/2010/04/bird-feeders-for-pileated-woodpeckers-think-big.html

For "The Sunday Muse - Wednesday Muse #2 - Hanami"  I wrote this and then went back and read that I was supposed to write about how this flower made me feel ...  hmm.  Well, I don't have time to rewrite (I need to pay attention to the rules more closely)

Also linked with "NaPoWriMo" - National Poetry Month, a celebration of poetry which takes place each April, was introduced in 1996 and is organized by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States. 

Hatchlings

Hatchlings

I held their world in the palm of my hand
as well as pieces of what was left of the nest.
I was in awe of necks so delicate and slight,
tufted heads balancing, bobbing, and heavy.

With my finger, I touched them; featherless, pink,
mouths opened - did they think I their mother?
I had no sustenance to give.

In fact, I was the giant that tumbled their world,
doomed them never to soar open skies
or sing sunrise melodies.

They had perhaps one night
beneath starlit sky, one brief morning
of sun and fresh breeze...

But they would never know more.  I was thankful
they had each other to cuddle as life ebbed.

Wondered if we are fooling ourselves,
comforted with philosophy and physics,
with our observations, theories, and Nobel Prizes.

Could it be we are as sightless as hatchlings,
perhaps not even as fortunate as the ones
I held in my hands?

For we forget to gaze upon the constellations,
forget to relish sun and clouds, moon and stars,
in fact, close the curtains at noon and night ...

and we often die alone.


Margaret Bednar, March 30, 2019

This is written for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Physics with Bjorn - Cosmology & Expanding Horizons"  

Song Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Last evening wild turkeys grazed
Baptist church's lower hill,
and early morn Eastern Screech Owl
feigned to be farmyard cock,
while roadside a blue-black Raven worked
rabbit’s carcass before spiraling skyward.

I walk lakes and streams, field & forest, five-mile loop
of seasonal Flycatchers, Yellowthroats,
Loons, Mergansers, and Grebe,
Kingfishers, Bluebirds, Catbirds as well.
Relish in the flash of rarity
caught from corner of my eye,

often camera too slow to catch anything
other than a vacant spot, have yet to spy Pileated...
settle for a Song Sparrow's trill
just outside my front door...
ponder why I overlooked this cheery greeter,
uplifting mountain's wintry, misty days;

why the need for pomp and circumstance,
when plain and simple will do?

by Margaret Bednar, January 19, 2019

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Weekend Mini Challenge - Mustn't be Fancy" in honor of Mary Oliver.  She has been a HUGE influence on me.  RIP, classy lady.  You will be missed, but your words will continue to keep us company.