"Time Stands Still"

 Time Stands Still

Unnaturally close we stand.
Sideways you gaze,
yellow eyes hesitantly bold,
questioning … what?

I don't know.  I possibly
have more questions.

Waves lap our feet,
wind disarrays our tresses,
ever so slightly tilt our heads.

I yearn to touch; dignity
and awe prevail.  You slowly
turn, walk away, continue seeking,

and I remember to breath.

Margaret Bednar, January 23, 2014

May, 2011 I took a trip to Hilton Head and experienced a "close encounter" with a Great Blue Heron.  They are naturally very elusive birds, but this one was hanging around the shoreline, seemingly pausing by a few fisherman.  I walked by him, maybe 25 feet away, and I still recall the thrill of what I consider a very unnatural encounter.

I enjoy a blog "Vision and Verb" have followed Ginny Hart of In Soul for a long time (exploring the Netherlands and surrounding area), but recently came across a post by Sue entitled "The Elusive Blue Heron", which tickled me no end.  I have crab walked, tiptoed, practically slithered upon the ground to get photos of these birds… time and again met with rejection.  This past weekend I got a "departure" shot I will have to be satisfied with on my iPhone.

Linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Wednesdays with Peggy - "It's in the Eyes"

This is also linked with Friday Flash 55 - a story (or poem usually in my case) in 55 words - no more, no less! (link up after 8 pm Thursday).

"Either Way"

"Texas Toad" image courtesy of The Run *A*Round Ranch blog 

Either Way

I serenaded you last night, 

trilled for all my plumpness was worth 

from my waterhole beneath the big Texas sky -

dreams dashed as you walked away,
shut your door -

realized it's a frog's fortune

of becoming a prince,
not a lonely Texas toad.

I'll pursue you, gonna play coy, 

try and charm - come hell or high water 

and the creek don't rise.

Go ahead, pick me up, toss me aside.  

Love me, hate me - either way, 

I plan on making your heart beat a little faster,

one way or another.  Not much difference
between love and revenge after all.

by Margaret Bednar, October 9, 2013

A rather silly poem for Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's - Wednesdays with Peggy - Point of View. She had wanted us to write a poem based on the environment through the eyes of an animal, but all I could think of is how a princess must kiss a frog, not a toad, and how that is so unfair!

If one touches a Texas Toad, the glands on the side of their neck (behind the eyes) secrete a white poison - humans are warned to wash their hands after handling.  Many animals develop symptoms - one being an irregular heart beat - I don't know if this is so for humans, but for the sake of this poem, I went with it.  I tried to research it, but the possible consequences were clear for animals - and humans were warned to wash their hands - so I didn't know if the same warnings applied?:   HERE

IGWRT's Wednesdays with Peggy - "Before Curtain Call"

Before Curtain Call

Pant, breath, fall in love
with emotions, round your back,
sigh, smile as you yawn.
Laugh loudly, cry if need be,
and sing, SING! in the shower.
Lie upon backstage floor, lines
whispered, thoughts free to roam.
Water the chords, nibble nectarines,
you Shakespearean actor -

...but first help lift this damn prop!

by Margaret Bednar, September 5, 2013

I love her comments on how women often hold their voices back "in expression" more than men...  (starts at about 4:55) but the whole clip is fascinating, so I hope if you click on the video you do watch the whole thing.  She's such a charming lady with a lovely Scottish accent.



The Linklater approach is a set of techniques many actors use of natural voice and language control.  I think that's an appropriate definition, but maybe not.  My son is a drama student at UNCSA (University of North Carolina School of the Arts) SHE MENTIONS THE SCHOOL BRIEFLY IN THE VIDEO! ... and he uses this approach.

I also want to note the above poem is an abbreviated "list" and not in any way a complete or thorough "how to"!   I wanted to fit it into 55 words for ...

Friday Flash 55 (I will link up Thursday after 8pm)

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads "Things Carried".   I think this covers the challenge as I allude to lifting, carrying... :)