"Impersonation"

Adolph de Meyer (1927)
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Impersonation

Every southern girl knows sea-wind and sea-spray
can age a girl if she's not careful,
admit I'm prone to imitate star-shaped pennywort
and trumpeted morning glory anchoring themselves beachside
venerating the sun.

Often seek salve for heated skin mid-afternoon,
consider sweet gum, black tupelo, oak;
find comfort beneath alabaster ornamentals and waxy leaves
flaunting my best Scarlet O'Hara

but tan lines and freckles are dead give-aways
despite wide-brimmed straw hat and magnolia's shade
not to mention my southern drawl's non-existent,
blue eyes aren't cat green,

and honeyed tongue is absent from my DNA.

by Margaret Bednar, April 7, 2018

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Camera Flash"  This was one of two portraits offered for the challenge.  Also linked with NaPoWriMo - National Poetry Month  (30 Poems in 30 Days).

I'm a transplanted northern girl doing my best here in the south.   

"Will It Be Enough?"

Will It Be Enough?

As the heat of day is flung
into evening's dusky sky,
I, beneath straw-brimmed hat
glance askance at you, reach for your hand,
point to soaring pelicans and sea birds
as they pass over palms, masts,
and the settling sun's eucharist-like offering -

sigh, turn into your shoulder with a slow smile
made of our joys, sorrows, sweat and tears,
our yesterdays, our bright tomorrows -
and know it will be enough
to sustain, nourish and replenish.

by Margaret Bednar, July 7, 2017

This is for "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads - Get Listed - Summer"  We were given 12 words and I used 8.

I just got back from a mini-get-away.  Can you tell?  :)

IGWRT's Kerry's Wednesday Challenge - Nocturne "Charleston Harbor"

My family and I often enjoy "Ghost walks" in historic towns, and this was in the back of my mind when I wrote "Charleston Harbor"- how the harbor might come alive with the past as the tidal surges at dusk and sometime around midnight (and with the receding tide) the "spirits" once again fade away beneath her surface.  I consider this poem still in a rough draft mode. 

note:  Sullivan Island and James Island are on either side of Charleston Harbor.  The Ashely and Cooper are the two rivers which flank Charleston and merge, as the southerners claim, to form the Atlantic Ocean.

Charleston Harbor (rewrite)

She flaunts a gown of shimmering dusk
her escorts, palmetos and oaks,
seductively charms Sullivan and James

as gently swaying seagrass cloaks
her banks, and gentle moon winks
and nods a lazy waltz to which

she glides with eager rising beaus,
Sir Ashely 'n Cooper, bewitched
by ghostly reverie upon her breast:

of pillaged, glist'ning gold
(ol' secrets oyster shells still keep
of stories dark and gloomy told)
and pirates dangling twilight's jig to hell --

of summer-eve idyl's tempting path,
a lover's kiss and trickling sweat
beneath a darkened shadow, wrath
was chanced with passion's risk --

of union blue and glorious grey
of clashing families 'n nightly prayers
and southern sympathies displayed
for brav'ry true, for brav'ry daft --

of opulent castles near her shore
whose darkly-framed windows
with warmth aglow from ev'ry floor,
did slowly seep secrets to starlit skies --

of yesterday's wishes 'n dreams
do trysts and tragedies flirt
with time:  a chance to be redeemed
upon pages of tales told and tales to tell.

'Til yellow-crested night heron signals midnight
and glittering sails flicker and fade,
a dancing card collected, faded names a delight,
beneath a belle's receding tide, do ghosts abide.

by Margaret Bednar, June 6, 2013

Yellow-Crested Night Heron, Battery Park, Charleston Harbor

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's, Kerry's Wednesday Challenge: Nocturne  Poems are requested to be lyrical NOT narrative.  I know now, currently I am far more a narrative poet than lyrical.  (sigh)

View from the Schooner we sailed on for our 23rd wedding anniversary in Charleston's Harbor

Poetry Jam "Fictional Point of View" "Mamma's Song" A nod to "Porgy &Bess"

Summertime by Porgy & Bess Cast

Summertime,
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high

Your daddy's rich
And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry

One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky

But till that morning
There's a'nothing can harm you
With daddy and mamma standing by

The following is a challenge for "Poetry Jam"-  Fictional Point of View.  My POV (character) is the infant being held in her Mamma's arms.

If you have never listened to this song, do yourself a favor and click on the above you tube video.   If you like it, try and find the movie Porgy & Bess or listen to the entire Broadway Cast Recording.  HERE is the newest Broadway Cast Recording with Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis and David Alan Grier.

If you are interested in a really good Study Guide for "The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess" Click HERE

My photo below is "Rainbow Row" originally named "Cabbage Row" as it was a place that had sunk to a slum and used by negroes as a vending place of vegetables in the 1920's.  This is the location that DuBose Heyward based his novel "Porgy".  "Catfish Row" is the novel's fictitious location in Charleston, South Carolina.  (It is NO longer a slum - it is very pricey real estate and a popular tourist attraction.)

Mamma's Song

Promises softly sung
upon summertime's breeze
were broken
as Misfortune raged.

Murder, love, betrayal, rich,
old, young, poor, a melting pot.
She don't play favorites.

For once all was equal
South an' North of Broad
for those who dallied
beyond the shore,

the day my Daddy, "rich"
and Mamma, good lookin'
swept under with the Sea Gull.

Decayed, battered,
Catfish Row may have been,
but the arms that held
orphaned me,
were mighty strong in Hope.

Pride of Charleston's
poor blacks workin' hard
1920's immortalized,
an American opera, no less.

Today I walk by
colorful archways
of East Bay, hear
Mamma's voice,
Daddy's laughter
upon the wind,

whisper back,
"I spread my wings,
Mamma, took to the sky,
achieved your dream
of a better life."

by Margaret Bednar, April 19, 2013

I also linked this with Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Out of Standard: Climate Free Friday"  The tough challenge of using the word "melt" without referring to heat, cold, fire or ice.  I squeezed it in and think it might read better, perhaps, without the "melted" line.  ;P

IGWRT's - Destinations and Dialogue & Poet's United -Colored "SouthernCharm"

Southern Charm

The afternoon's heat has shackled me, 

sweat pools in places secretive

and I close my eyes, sit upon a scrolled bench, 

tidal breeze welcome, 

imagine a time when women dressed in layers.

Unfazed, a haughty dandy emerges from the brush, 

struts a bedazzled rainbow, 

makes my dishevelment more apparent.

"Show-off," I mutter.  He blinks, struts his crest.

I wilt, deflated, lean back,

watch sultriness ride the Ashley's blackwater current,

meander her way past the live oaks -

enjoy an age-old flirtation as fingers tickle the surface,

whose emerged roots in turn she caresses with silky coolness.

I raise my chin, invite her to touch me lovingly as well.

It's a courtship:  the days simmering lassitude woos 

evening's refreshing breath,

begs with open arms all the current can give.

Tomorrow all will be forgotten

as a hasty retreat is made toward the grand city 

and bigger horizons, but for now, all is content.  

Almost.

The peacock's train fans out, plumage iridescent.

"You win."  I stroll back the way I came. 

With such ornamentation, I dare not compete.

by Margaret Bednar, April 11, 2013

I'm also linking this poem with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Artistic Interpretations - Beauty". (April 24, 2017)  I am the host and my "rules" were a new poem or greatly re-worked - this is neither - but I beg forgiveness.  My 90 year old father had a mild stroke and it has kept me a bit distracted.  He is improving each day and this is great - but I was unable to write a new poem for this prompt.

---

This is written for Imaginary Garden With Real Toads "Destinations and Dialogues".  The assignment is to:  write a narrative about a place that is special, evil, nostalgic, beautiful, chaotic...whatever you want and try to nail the feeling that it gives you when you are there and confronted with its realness. This can be poetry, prose, technical writing...lol, I don't care.  And to "sandwich it between a bit of narrative".  

I have described sitting along the banks of the Ashely River which flows in to Charleston SC every morning and flows back towards Middleton Plantation every evening.  

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, CLICK ON THE LINK of Middleton Plantation... if not just for the header which showcases two "take your breath away" images!  The link to Charleston has a lovely video.  The Lowcountry is truly spectacular.  You will see why it has stolen my heart.

I have also linked this with Poets United "Colored".  What is more colorful than a peacock?  

Walking the streets of Charleston, SC

Historic Charleston SC is really quite walker friendly.  A city I believe more beautiful today than during it's heyday due to the intense sanitary efforts that are observed.   Back in the day, there was a reason a home's main rooms were narrow and on the second floor; to be away from the smell of the streets as well as catching the breeze that came from the ocean.

We arrived early evening and enjoyed the fountain right by the waterfront.  We then strolled up and down the tourist friendly street in search of a bookstore to purchase a "walking tour" book.  Even if one is not in town for shopping, the window displays are charming (and tempting).

The above photo is of the United States Custom House.  I loved how it looked at night.

6:45 a.m. I was on top of our hotel roof.  The above and next two are taken from this vantage point.

The above is the tower to Phillip's Episcopal Church.

Original cobblestone street.  I can't even imagine how bumpy a ride this was with a carriage.

The homes I have highlighted in this post are not homes to tour and are not the "famous" houses such as the Nathaniel Russell House, Edmondston-Alston House, Aiken-Rhett House, Calhoun Mansion, Magnolia Plantation, Drayton Hall and Middleton Place (some are plantations outside the city limit).  This gives you an idea of the more "simple" homes and a true feel for the charming "everyday" architecture of Charleston.  The Calhoun Mansion is below:

 Rainbow Row.  I so wished I had a wide angle for this location and I had to crop out the cars)  Many paintings have been done of this  famous site.  These homes are revolutionary-era buildings but are painted with modern day colors, I believe.  I'm a little curious what the original colors were.  As I understand it, these were merchant buildings (shops below, living quarters above) The slaves weren't allowed to be taught to read, so their owners would tell them "Go to the blue house and purchase ..."

This blue crab was in the sands below East Bay Street. (Just below the railing in the next photo)  I felt a little guilty at lunch when I ate She Crab Soup, but not guilty enough to not enjoy this local favorite and very tasty soup!

This is Battery Park.  One can see Fort Sumter from here and the sidewalk above.

This is a Yellow Crowned Night Heron.  There were numerous nests above our head in Battery Park.  The male & female look alike.

 Everywhere one looks, beauty is on display.  The plaster and iron work in this city is incredible and I plan on focusing on that with my next visit.

A peak at St. Michael's Episcopal Church.  This tower was the target during many battles during the Revolutionary and Civil War.  It has survived wars, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes and cyclones with minimal damage.

Charleston cemeteries are very charming, even the lizard is enjoying himself.

A typical sidewalk view.  The magnolia trees (not pictured here) were just starting to bloom here and there.

I love the clip clop of these carriage rides.  And thank goodness the horses wear gear to capture their "business".  When they urinate, they immediately pour a solution on top in order to reduce odor.  This charming city would not be so fun to visit "back in the day"!

Sweetgrass baskets also called Gullah baskets.  This is an art form handed down from the first slaves that arrived from West Africa in the 1600's.  HERE is a Facebook site that highlights Cory Alston's basket business.  They are not inexpensive, and I have yet to purchase one - and of course, I always like the most expensive ones...  These baskets can be found at The Market - no slaves were bought or sold here, this is where the slaves were sent to shop.

More typical Charleston homes and porches.  Not the GRAND homes along East Bay, but more affordable homes - still worth millions each...

The above is the old jail.  Click "HERE" to see old photos of it and detailed history.  Just a horrible place and not good airflow - I can't imagine how people suffered in here during the summer months.  Supposedly this is also the sight of MANY ghost stories.  The land surrounding it is said to be littered with numerous skeletal remains.

And last but not least, these charming horses.  Thanks for taking the walk with me!

Back and Relaxed? 207-210/365

A Cozy Inn off Battery Park, Charleston, SC.  From this porch, if it weren't for the grand old Oak Trees, I believe one could see Fort Sumter.

This was our first glimpse of the beach at Hilton Head, SC.

This photo was taken during a ghost walk tour in Savannah, GA.

We had a wonderful time on our Easter Vacation; just got back yesterday evening (Tuesday).  We were gone over a week and I am now recovering from the vacation with five of my children.  My husband was unable to take the time off of work so I relied heavily on my older girls to help out on this trip.  I can't wait to share the porches and cobblestone streets of Charleston, SC with you as well as the Sea Pine Forest Preserve and beachfront of Hilton Head.  We traveled further south to Savannah, GA and enjoyed the fabulous squares, historic homes and the Victorian cemetery, Bonaventure.  (Not to mention, Ghost Tours!)

But for now, I am battling "vacation fatigue" and laundry!  I can't wait to sit down and see what all my  blogger friends have been up to.