Mid-July

Paulina Tarot Cards HERE

Mid-July

Sun frolics upon freckled shoulders,
hat forsaken, nose kissed,
sunblock so painstakingly applied in June,
tossed aside, tan lines a criss-crossed map
upon my back as I follow floral paths
of golden whorls and sprightly grass,
track mid-day sun with upturned face,
imitate songs and arcs of darting swallows,
arms outstretched, leap over split rail fence,
imagine flight as summer unspirals.

by Margaret Bednar, June 10, 2017

This is linked (LATE) with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Words Count with Mama Zen"  Interpret a tarot card in 60 words or less.  I went over by one...

"The Sideshow"

The Sideshow

I admire ballet hands:
relaxed, fluid, elongated -
adore Brunnhilde & Pavlova

yet my soprano & plies
provoke laughter;

arias & satin slippers, "curiosity".

This evening
a woman praised my elegant hands
and I didn't feel fat.

by Margaret Bednar, December 4, 2015

This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Words Count with Mama Zen"  I selected from one of the images provided and kept it under a 60 word count.

I've been traveling visiting my son in NYC over Thanksgiving (all 6 children together = a happy mother) and moving part of our family to the North Carolina mountains - we will all join up after school ends in June.  I've missed posting to the poetry challenges - and am glad to spend a bit of time tonight playing along.

"Sisters"

Sisters

This as youth we learned:

Link hearts and hands,
rely upon instinct and not a little charm,

loose hair to flow upon open air,
spin freely as summer abundance blooms

embrace mother's words to never forget
how happily together we do skip.

by Margaret Bednar, June 25, 2015

Yes a bit cheesy, but I tried to rise to the occasion for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Words Count with Mama Zen"  A word list (of which I used six I think) and write a poem of 60 words or less.

We recently traveled to the mountains for the day.  My girls (and a friend) love photo opportunities.  They love to put on summer dresses and pile on LOTS of charm and dance, swing, twirl.  A few ladies in their 60's were inspired and held hands and skipped like my girls were - they ended up giggling and saying how young it made them feel.  Their men WERE smiling as they walked behind them... :)

To get out in the summertime and enjoy the days, to breath in the air, notice the new flowers blooming, the sheep and cows dotting the hills... yes.  I hope they always find time to do this together.  

"Wanderlust"

Wanderlust

I want to feel the winding road
in the palm of my hands,
laugh into the rearview mirror
and like what I see,
fall out of line with what's expected,
give in to wanderlust;
lose myself for the weekend.

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Words Count with Mama Zen".  In 60 words or less (10 more if we can make her blush) Mama Zen asks us to write about what we are hungry for.    School days and responsibility, this time of year, have me chomping at the bit.  Two days certainly limits the places we can go… (and so does their homework)

The image above is a photo of mine using the "Waterlogue" App.

I did tweak my poem a bit from my original entry…

"In Remembrance"

In Remembrance

Damp and dreary today dawns,
settles 'round my shoulders with a weary sigh.
Her mourning tears mist my glasses
as I shuffle through leaves fast becoming brown,
contemplate life slipping away
silently, without fanfare.

No trumpet call, no pretentiousness;
just color ebbing, leaving behind
something once vibrantly splendid.

Even the lake's silvery stillness
indulges our mood,
reflects an egret's gliding grace,
angelic white wings soothing
as a sweetly sung southern hymn.

Canoes stacked, red, blue, green upon yellow;
hunkered down for winter's bite
yet able to yearn for spring's gentle caress
and summer's bold laughter -

but not these leaves.  They must dissolve
into the earth from which they came.
I pick one up.  Pocket it.  Hesitant to let go.
Find myself looking back, remembering
the glory that was autumn.

by Margaret Bednar, December 10, 2014 (Dedicated to the memory of Galen Haynes)

This morning I heard the news that Galen Haynes (aka G-Man) passed away.  I am deeply saddened and will miss this intelligent and generously kind man.   This poem if for him.  I will always remember him fondly.

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads "Words Count with Mama Zen".  We had to include at least one homophone and be 75 words or less.  (This poem is way over the word count … I hope I am given a "pass" in honor and memory of Galen - (although, editing it to 55 words probably would improve it!)

My homophone is "leaves" and "leaving" hope the different endings are OK.

This is also linked with "Poetry Jam" contemplating "quiet".

"October"

October

Each year you shed your corset,
tilt sunflower head, wink.

Display contours of peaks and valleys
I love.  Intimately hold my hand,
invite me to suckle from swollen breast
all the nourishment I need -

bolster me for November's
stinging slap.

by Margaret Bednar, October 1, 2014

This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Words Count with Mama Zen" - the personification of October in 53 words or less.

"The Amateur"

"The Amateur"

"Perhaps
a different angle
try lying on the ground
or aim directly into the sun.
Maybe a silhouette
will showcase it best."

Except,
there's no "official" assignment"
no competition, no reason -
but the voice in my head challenges:

"Find the art in every day…
what angle?"

We were asked to share a "weird" truth about ourselves in 46 words or less for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Words Count with Mama Zen".   The above is true - I've been in some pretty weird positions in public getting that "award winning" photograph.  

The photos I recently took downtown - I gave myself the theme "windows" …  Had no idea what I was going to do with them… so here they are.

"Unpretentious"

Unpretentious

I long for a window open
to grey mornings and bird-song

where heat
trickles in upon ocean's breeze

and afternoon storms
circle, swirl,

wash songs of ancient wayfarers
to sandy shores

where life's complexity and beauty
I hold in my hand

unpolished.

by Margaret Bednar, July 26, 2014

This is for "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads -Words Count with Mama Zen - Complexity writ small" in 60 words or less.  

"Don't even THINK about it" (she warns)

"Don't even THINK about it" (she warns)

Bare piggy toes once wiggled each time I tickled your foot,
hearty squeals once rippled as I raspberried your bellybutton,
butterfly kissed a cream-puff cheek.

Even now I long to cradle you in the crook of my arm,
rock and sway your body close to my heart,
hold your hand for protection,

but preteens rarely indulge such fantasies.

by Margaret Bednar, June 19, 2014


She is twelve years old - and very independent, and does not allow cuddling.  I guess when you are one of the youngest of six, you tend to be a survivor and a bit "seasoned".  

I've had a number of changes this past few weeks.  Moved my oldest daughter into a college rental house, "celebrated" my 15 year old daughter's entry into high school, "grieved" as my fifth grader was "promoted" to middle school and my youngest finish Kindergarten!  I just realized another daughter will soon be 17!!! (how can that be) and am already mourning my oldest son leaving as this upcoming year he will graduate college  (which is 30 minutes away) and most likely head to New York…

Changes, changes.  Thank goodness my youngest is a Momma's boy and soaks up hugs and kisses.

This poem is a "sevenling" which is a poem that follows a rule of three and I have linked it with "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads - Words Count with Mama Zen"- Rule of three - in 90 words or less.  

"Fleeting"

Fleeting

Seemingly pretentious
are Virginia bluebells,
trumpeting arrival
with pomp and circumstance -

languidly draped across April's lap, nodding heavily, dappled

with afternoon's light.

All too soon find I miss them,
woodland's canopy having dismissed
this first glimpse of spring's
unrivaled blessings in blue.

by Margaret Bednar, April 9, 2014

Today's challenge over at the "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Words Count with Mama Zen" is to write a poem in 66 words or less depicting the best & worst of April.

I did it in 48 and played a bit loose with the theme.  I adore the flash and brilliance of April's first colors, but they are so short lived.  There have been times I have finally found the time to photograph the beauty of spring's first flowers to find  … they have already disappeared!   I've made several trips to Charleston, SC plantations to find the Azaleas, Jasmine, Wysteria, etc already gone!

So, for me my favorite perennial wildflowers are abloom in April - and I seem unable to get away to enjoy them - and it is agony for me to walk among the garden trails knowing I missed them by a few days…

For the month of April, I am participating in NaPoWriMo2014 or National Poetry Writing Month.  The website is HERE.

In celebration of this year's challenge, I will be giving away a free book of my poetry.  If you are interested in participating in this drawing, please click the red logo at the top of my side bar and leave your name and a means to reach (blog, email, etc) you in the comment section.

PLEASE INDICATE YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DRAWING OR I WILL ASSUME YOU ARE JUST COMMENTING.  THANKS. 

"April" NaPoWriMo2014 BEGINS. A chance to win a book of MY POETRY & Photography

April

She's a tease,
rewards with hints
of lavender and lace,

receives eager fingers
with frosted slap.

She's a diva,
summons desire,
traces its tempo.

Birds start the chorus,
bees lend their buzz
as she lowers Spring's baton.

Margaret Bednar, April 1, 2014


Linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Words Count with Mama Zen" - Surprise her with 37 words or less.

What does THAT stand for?  30 poems in 30 days!   National Poetry Writing Month.  A list of all the participating poets can be found on the website, HERE .  Checkout Facebook and Twitter as well.

In celebration of NaPoWriMo2014, I will give away one hardcover book of my poetry and photography.   I create my books using my Mac's iPhoto program and the quality is fantastic.   I am compiling a new poetry book for this give-a-way and will showcase a sampling of it mid-month.  I am pondering a title, but perhaps it will be "Seasonal Offerings with Sprinklings of Love".  

Remember, you must SIGN up below in the COMMENTS in order to participate.   I will draw names from a hat.  Good luck and I hope you enjoy this month's poetry.  

"Like Queen Anne's Revenge"

Like Queen Anne's Revenge

Beached
broken, buried
like Queen Anne's Revenge;
bleached, faded
beneath blanket of blue
unless day trippers
pocket 'n display
as treasure

by Margaret Bednar, January 29, 2014

This past two weekends, my daughters and I took weekend trips to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We enjoyed Hatteras and fell in love with Ocracoke Island. The inlet where Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard, was captured and beheaded is located on this island.

We were "day trippers" having taken the ferry to Ocracoke and returning to Hatteras at night fall.

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Words count with Mama Zen" - a twitter-like poem with 140 characters or less.

And an exhibit I hope to visit this summer:

"Christmas Cookies"

Christmas memories

measured, baked, frosted

arranged, admired, praised… devoured!

Margaret Bednar, December 28, 2013

A little late, but this is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Words Count with Mama Zen" Ho-ho hoku 5-7-5 is the syllable count for today.  My oldest daughter started last year what I hope is a tradition - baking gourmet cookies for two days straight.

…and confession time:

The cookies do have jam and oatmeal ingredients… ?

"The Stage"

LOVE Ellen!  She interviewed the band that created "What Does the Fox Say".

This is not a fox - but the "Maned Wolf" from South America

"The Stage"

Crows circle and caw
as Cooper hawk approaches,
silent wings beating;

forest erupts, becomes
an open Greek theatre.

On warm, fallen leaves
fox raises his head,
sniffs, curious if a comedy
or tragedy's at hand;

slinks off.  Will return
after the kill.

by Margaret Bednar, November 20, 2013

Over at the "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads Words Count with Mama Zen" we are to interpret "What does  the Fox Say" in 43 words or less. … I've heard that song one too many times (my six year old knows it by heart.)  I think he must just crave a NAP after all the commotion…



Here are fantastic photos of a male fox HERE taken by photographer Ann Brokelman - she lives in Toronto.

My image above is of a gorgeous creature of South America - seems like a cross between a wolf and a fox, but is its own species, I believe.  We have two at our local zoo - Maned Wolf HERE.

"Appreciation" and "Administrative Assistant"

This first poem is linked with G-Man's "Friday Flash 55" and is another "take" on the poem I wrote below.  I've also linked this first poem with "The Mag #190".

Would you like to hear me read my poem?


Check this out on Chirbit

Appreciation

I never did learn
to play fetch, "wag my tail",

nor view you
with adoring eyes -

always thankful
others enjoyed your pats

upon their pretty behinds -
one you even took home.

Tried to keep the gleam
out of my eyes

when her "foxy" bite
finally made you sing soprano -

made you appreciate
my bull-dog gaze.

by Margaret Bednar, October 17, 1013

Photo by Scavengercat8o8.  Used for "The Mag #190"

The Administrative Assistant

'Coffee, hot.  Eight sharp.
Large carafe, whether I'm here
or not.  (inhale)  And babe,
(exhale) ashtray dumped,
wiped clean, 10 & 2

and fetch my dry-cleaning
mid-week at noon." (grinds stub -
half smiles), "Be sure
to take five for lunch.

Oh, 'bout the cute
transcriptionist scheduled
today from 3:00 - 4:00 -
(winks) ... hold all calls."

I smile, turn, roll my eyes,
and meet his in the mirror.

by Margaret Bednar, October 16, 2013

Yeah, this job was very short-lived.  The smoke would roll out of his office, I suggested a smokeless ashtray - he laughed.  This is actually based on two bosses and I rolled them into one "monster".
I did have a few wonderful bosses - they weren't all jerks.

My daughter painted the image above - it's a detail - and I thought the gaze was perfect for the sharing of this memory - I wonder to this day how I kept my expression "neutral".

This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Words Count with Mama Zen" - National Boss's Day & keep it 67 words or less.  

IGWRT's - Words Count with Mama Zen - 8 "Reliance"

Reliance

I
doubt
my beauty.

You
prove
me wrong.

by Margaret Bednar, September 11, 2013

For The Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Words Count with Mama Zen - Eight.  She gave us our marching orders, write a poem in eight words, or something to do with eight ... she even went easy on us (something which must have pained her) and gave us the option for eighty words.

My daughter sketched numerous nudes last year at college (she boarded as a high school student in the visual arts program) and is now a Freshman in college there majoring in Scene Design and still taking art classes.   I love them all, even though they are not the "traditional" beauty with a perfect body... perhaps that's why I like them so much.  

IGWRT's Word's Count With Mama Zen - "Suspicion"

Suspicion

I followed faith's tradition,
thumb pricked, bled, dripped -
husband's morning coffee flavored,
my love he'd never flee.

Yet from his shirt I plucked

long, golden strand.
Suspicious.  Unsure.

Singed and discarded
treacherous silky hair -
sent voodoo spell
her wanton way

only to reap a doubters
grief.  He hadn't loved her
so she shot them both.

by Margaret Bednar, August 7, 2013 

Maire Laveau is a fascinating read.  She was a black woman in New Orleans, LA, and was known as the Queen of Voodoo.  Some say she converted to Christianity (Catholicism) before she died.  Either way, it is said most of her spells were to help the poor and the needy.

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Words Count with Mama Zen - Voodoo in 73 words or less.

And I changed this up a bit a day later but it is still 55 words so... this is also for Friday Flash 55.

Carpe Diem & IGWRT's Words Count - "Wisteria"

Wisteria at Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, SC

Lavender garnish
courts Charlestonian gray,
droning bees, sanguine.

by Margaret Bednar, April 9, 2013

The painting below was painted by Viviane of "Les Peintures De Viviane" from one of my photos.  I commented on how much I loved it, but she wasn't selling this one.  She painted another just for me and gave it to me!!  I had it framed and I just adore it.

Charleston gray refers to the local brick which originated in size and coloration early in the colonial period.  "Charleston Gray" bricks come out a rusty brown when properly fired and are called gray due to the coloration of the clay used.

This is for Carp Diem Imagination #5, Wisteria a haiku meme.

Also linked with dVerse Poet's Pub "Open Link Night"

This is also linked with Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Words Count with Mama Zen".  The image I chose for inspiration is very similar to a wisteria bloom:

IGWRT's Words Count with Mama Zen - "Camellia, Dear"

Camellia, Dear

A beauty fair,
blushing and bright,
greets my eye
this morning light,

perfection worshiped,
a moment adored,

but

beneath golden lashes
and rounded form,
scented dreams
do but rot

discarded, scattered,
aging debutants,
beheaded.

Margaret Bednar, March 27, 2013

This is for "Words Count with Mama Zen"  Poe -etics - look outside, write something scary, make Edgar Allen Poe proud ... no longer than 50 words.  

IGWRT's Words Count with Mama Zen "A Toad's Bliss"

This was my window seat in Petoskey, Michigan

Bliss

Gossamer light,
lake's soft breeze,
books stacked,

resplendently laze
midsummer day away
upon cushion of red,

like a happy toad
sheltered, protected,

tomatoes and corn
hand picked, sliced, salted,
fresh cut lilies.

I float upon aroma
as bees drone outside
my window screen.

This is surely bliss.

by Margaret Bednar, February 20, 2013

We are to write about a place, a home, a spot, where we are most like a toad, so to speak in 48 words or less.  The window seat was my favorite spot in our house in Petoskey, Michigan - and I dearly miss it.

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Words Count with Mama Zen".