The Way

The Way

The sheer vastness 

is simultaneously empowering and humbling, 

its vivid greens, blended blues, faded greys

earn my sighs, 

a hunger grasped, tossed windward,

soaring beyond well-worn path

horse and I now tread, 

notebook and pen pocketed 

as I ponder Karma versus Chance.

Infinity encircles my neck, 

Luck my wrist, sterling silver trinkets 

that haven’t (as yet) earned their keep

a bit like my thoughts: inked, slanted, 

dotted, carefully crossed, 

pages arranged just so… although,

may as well send them soaring

upon mountain’s breeze, 

not fool myself I’m in control.

Give my horse his head, 

for he seems to enjoy the winding way. 

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Art Flash / 55"  It is LOOSELY linked as I did get inspiration from the original artistic image (which can be found on the link) and it is not a 55 - but as I was atop the mountain and enjoying the warm, light breeze  - I wanted to share these images instead and I slightly changed the poem when I got back home....  Hope "inspired by" is close enough...

Also linking to "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Tuesday Platform"

The Dreaded Christmas Photo Shoot

The Dreaded Christmas Photo Shoot

"One more," and they groan.

Eyeballs roll, backs slouch,
Hammy Ones take center stage
as dogs squirm, cats bolt ...

"forget them," I yell
as it isn't worth any more scratches.
Sneak 'round back of tripod,

peer through lens, adjust light,
shout "Places!", hit delay button,
run back into frame... know I blinked.

"Another!" and they groan.

Perhaps this year
I'll fill Christmas cards with bloopers.
Show the real face of us.

by Margaret Bednar, November 29, 2018

We are at a stage now where most are of drinking age.  I will ply them with promises of mixed drinks and good beer.  That should appease them.

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Camera Flash!"  The inspirational photo is below... and she has an uncanny intensity (and determination) about her that reminds me of myself trying to get the perfect family photo each year!

Jessie Tarbox Beal

Thou Shall Not

123rf

Thou Shall Not

I still remember the combo
(and I'm not good with numbers)
the back and forth swivel
to align the arrow

the way I'd pretend it didn't work
just to watch you walk past
holding my breath, heart beating fast,
wobbly knees (a real thing)...

Quickly align dashes and numbers,
locker door slammed -
mad dash to religion class.

My desk facing the crucifix
and ten commandments,
imagine number six
a neon blinking chastisement.

by Margaret Bednar, October 3, 2018

This is in participation with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Camera/Flash 55"  I tried to shorten it to a 55 but it didn't work.

The original image that inspired this poem is a collection of locks by Pierre Dubreuil "Lines Meeting" (1932). 

"Realizations"

Morning 1906- Clarence White

Realizations...

I’ve taken to dimming the lights,
applying makeup with my face
not so close to the mirror.

Realize chin raised and eyebrows arched
help a bit with an overall look.

Clothing that floats and glides
is elegant, or so I tell myself,

and bathtubs without a mirror
are far more inviting.

by Margaret Bednar, July 7, 2018

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Camera Flash"

"Impersonation"

Adolph de Meyer (1927)
Advertisement for Elizabeth Arden Cosmetics
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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.   

"The Special Place"

Crepuscule - Heinrich Kuhn (1897)

The "Special" Place

"You can't get away from yourself 
by moving from one place to another" - Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises

It's before twilight, before the twinkling sky absorbs
the silhouettes of the heron as he flies by
and the deer as they break away from woodland's swarthy shadows
to nibble leafy greenbrier, maples, and shrubs.

I've settled myself this past afternoon brooding beside the brook,
leaned forward hoping water's reflection favored a foretelling
of what's to come, but clairvoyance is elusive
and I'm left pondering perplexities, twirling Queen Anne's Lace

as clouds turn a soft pink upon horizon's edge,
prompting me to stretch and amble towards home.
Grateful tails greet me, noses thrust into my hand
and I smile, as being welcomed in such a way

is a balm for which my heart is thankful.

by Margaret Bednar, March 3, 2018

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Sunday Mini Challenge - Camera Flash".  Write a poem to the above photograph by "Crepuscule, Heinrich Kuhn 1897.