"A Price to Pay"

A Price to Pay

Is not madness
a mere departure of expected
where neurosis is merely abnormal,
inhibition abandonment of convention?

When does creative, curious, incautious
cross the path of sacred and spiritual,
become unusual and extreme,
cross the line of genius to insane?

When do accolades end,
derision begin;

what price does vision claim?

by Margaret Bednar, April 23, 2018


8 artists who suffered mental illness
10 female artists who were institutionalized 
10 poets who were completely mad


This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Imagined by Kerry - An Antic Disposition"

also linked with NaPoWriMo 2018 (30 poems in 30 days).  I have been successful writing a poem a day so far - except for yesterday where I partially completed one and have yet to edit it.  So two will be posted today.  It isn't easy!

The above video is of the artwork of a French artist Seraphine.  She was admitted into an asylum after WWII.  Her story if you google it is fascinating and there is a movie about her as well.  

"Note to Self"

Note to Self

How old will I be

when I stop holding my breath,

this nine year old self sure 

what I think doesn't matter?

Oh, I’ve plenty to say these days,

no longer avoid eye contact, head down,

teacher waiting, class giggling,

as I look at my fingernails, 

certain this moment will never pass…

but my heart still palpitates when words elude,

afraid of mispronouncing, misusing -

may even blush a bit, although at 52 

I'll falsely blame it on high blood pressure.

You've done enough damage,
glad with age comes bits of wisdom:
know to comfort, reassure you
instead of you trying to protect me.

It's time to hold hands, feel the sky
upon our shoulders, hear the sea
rush towards our toes and BREATH -

learn to love all that is me.

by Margaret Bednar

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Kerry's Challenge - The Poem as  One-Sided Conversation".

"The Photograph"

The Photograph

November salutes from her western ridge,
caresses faces dear to me radiating faith
that tomorrow dreams will be fulfilled.

Eyes proove hope is something tangible,
patted and molded like Grandma's special cookie recipe,
dough carefully measured and palmed
into smooth balls, perfect bites of love, devoured.

This Thanksgiving they learned the secret ingredient,
listened carefully as she guided them,
apron strings wound 'round a younger generation,

and as I gaze upon these figures silhouetted
against November's sky, atop Grandfather Mountain,
I trace each outline with my finger
(and a boyfriend, added so comfortably),

once again say goodbye to my babies
as they depart from our holiday
leaving me with a heart replenished.

by Margaret Bednar, November 28, 2017


This is written for the prompt "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads, Kerry's Challenge - a Skyflower Friday: "Goodbye"

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration - all six kids home - what more could a mother want? and Grandparents - Grandmother shared her "secret" ingredient for her chocolate chip cookies finally - the kids all enjoyed that and the cookie tradition will continue for the next generation.