"Walls"

Walls

Hadrian's Wall was built for war,

now weaves its way through cozy hamlets,

rolls past castles, forts, and Roman remnants,

along East River to the Irish Sea.

The other day I basked in winter's sun,

back against a wall, wind blocked,
secure, content as thawing limbs
frolicked upon its canvas.

Walls are built for protection,

and yet as late my mind keeps pondering

what it means for those who reside

on the other side.

by Margaret Bednar, February 9, 2017

I so would love to walk this path, along this wall some day...

This poem is linked with the challenge over at "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Music with Marian - Wall"

Hadrian's Wall - Timewatch by klidstone1970

"Cleansing"

Cleansing

It's captured in a sigh
this first blush of day -

nursling of eve's brooding sky
and midnight rain,

where tired dreams
and tiny thoughts

evaporate
with mountain mist -

become buoyant
beyond my window;

wish (or two) refreshed
with a swish of mares' tails.

by Margaret Bednar, August 25, 2016



This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Music with Marian - Little Tiny".  Our inspiration the above song.  I hope you enjoy the above song by Brandi Ediss.  She is also a photographer HERE


Note:  Mares' tails are wispy, ethereal clouds with a classic trailing shape

"Changing Seasons"

Changing Seasons

Chords strum,
memories uproot -
of hands held, hands empty,
laughter and tears

and when the first crocus unfurls
words melt into place,
vibrato'd, caressed
upon my golden guitar

and together
we turn toward the sun
and reach.

by Margaret Bednar, January 8, 2016

This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Music with Marian - February- Dar Williams"

"The Kora"

The Kora

Twenty one strings set me spinning,
not so much dancing as joyously traversing
a melodious harmony.

My hips embrace a rhythm foreign,
my smile soars into the clouds,
floats back to me - younger, happier, more carefree.

I dip my finger into the pond,
strum lightly its still surface,
wake it up.  Realize life can be simple -

it all depends upon the tune I hum.

by Margaret Bednar, January 3, 2014

This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Music with Marian".  Our inspiration today is listen to two of Africa's most distinguished musicians, the late guitarist Ali Farka Toure and kora player Toumani Diabate and write a poem…

I alway love a bass (my son plays upright and guitar) as well as guitar (he plays that as well) but I was rather intrigued by the kora - a 21 string bridge-harp.  The sound makes me happy.

IGWRT's - Music with Marian "Come a Little Closer"

Come a Little Closer

A Van Gogh Moon
shines bright tonight
n' I'll collect my kisses
beneath this beacon bright.

Come a little closer, I aim to please
n' toil the whole night long -
if that's what it takes.
Thank the Lord for our ol' song

that I'll sing low, nuzzle your ear
in hopes to make you swoon.
Prove we're still in love
beneath this harvest moon.

by Margaret Bednar, September 20, 2013

for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Music with Marian - "Harvest Moon"  Love - I can't think anything more worthy than love to "toil the whole night long".  

IGWRT's Music with Marian "Lady with the Ring"

Lady with the Ring

It's not so much a prayer
as a plea:

See me!
Light the votives,

petition prayers
for my soul another day.

A grave robber's Lazarus
am I, not a sign,

but praise the Lord
just the same.

Through flickering light
I appear

not spirit, but flesh
for your loving eyes to caress,

your hands to wash clean,
to tuck between cotton sheets,

your lips to kiss the golden ring
that brought me back to you.

by Margaret Bednar, June 7, 2013

Our family loves to sit around a bonfire and tell ghost/scary stories.  I've never heard this story before, and a summary can be found here:  Lady with the Ring.  (a husband buried his beloved wife with her wedding ring on.  That night a grave robber digs her grave up.  He is about to cut her finger off and steal the ring when she wakes up!  She had been buried alive by mistake!)

Below Tim Eriksen sings his version of this tale "Leave Your Light On".  (Facebook page HERE)

This is linked with and for the Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's Music with Marian "Hardcore Americana"

I also had to link his cool banjo version of "Amazing Grace" (I think it's a banjo)

IGWRT's Music with Marian - Rewind "Memorable"

Memorable

Burgundy Red
stains my tongue

band's steel bass
inside my head

catchy melody
like last nights confidant

redundant
come morning's light.

Grab his collection
of Easton CD's,

wife's red Lucchese boots,
Tweedle hat,

blow a kiss
towards crumpled sheets

call it memorable
after all.

by Margaret Bednar, March 1, 2013

Charlie Tweedle Cowboy Hats HERE and to DIE for Lucchese SWEET Cowboy boots HERE (My coveted red ones HERE)

This wicked little poem is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Rewind" with Tim Easton.  This is my first introduction to him and he ROCKS!  Thanks, Marian.  I will be adding this band to my iPod for sure.  

IGWRT's Music with Marian "Silenced"

Silenced

Little black dress, diamonds, and shoes,
hide the lies, all you don't confess
while kneeling, working alibis

letting the glamour of your disguise
hide the bruise.  You stammer, recite devotionals,
repertoire of excuses carried like a cross,

offered up, personal mercenary
fighting to save whom?
One day he'll carry through,

leave you broken, blessings exhausted,
little black dress shredded, crumpled,
accosted no longer by his heavy-handed caress,

prayer books, silenced.

by Margaret Bednar, January 26, 2013

Linked with "Imaginary Garden With Real Toad's - Music with Marian" - today taking a look at the singer Dessa and I specifically looked at her song "Alibi" (music video below) for inspiration.

I'm all for praying and devotionals, don't get me wrong.  But there are those who feel prayer is the only way "out".

IGWRT's Music with Marian "Today's the Day"

"The Trojan Horse Brought Into the City" tapestry - hangs in the Vanderbilt Mansion, NY

Today's the Day

Life is a tapestry
of vice and virtue,
not one or the other

where moments, secrets,
joy and sin, interlace,
intricately interwoven

with life's journey
since before
Helen of Troy.

Sideways glances
and wagging tongues
feed upon the fodder of

mistaken choices.
Today's the day
I wise up, stop crying,

stop bleeding,
embrace my shame,
while their voices carry on.

Some things
remain unchanged.

by Margaret Bednar, 11-17-2012


This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads "Music with Marian" - highlighting the music of Aimee Mann.

The image of "The Trojan Horse Brought Into the City" hangs in the Vanderbilt Mansion in New York.

The Trojan War tapestry referred to by Homer in Book III of the Iliad, where Iris disguises herself as Laodice and finds Helen "working at a great web of purple linen, on which she was embroidering the battles between Trojans and Achaeans, that Ares had made them fight for her sake." If such a tapestry had been made at the time, then it could explain how the battles were remembered in such great detail over the 400 or so years between the siege of Troy and the age of Homer.

I am having a great birthday weekend... but am running behind on my comments.  It won't be until Sunday evening that I can catch up and comment on the last few challenges, and return the visits.  I am actually looking forward to that downtime!  

Kim Klaussen's Texture Tuesday & IGWRT's Music w/ Marian "The Pick-up Line"

My iPhoto improved with Kim Klaussen's "Oh My" Texture

The Pick-up Line

A Gelding's Boast

Back in the day
when I ran with the colts,
I was an "Outlaw",
untamed vigor,
no cowboy could control...

A Mare's Thoughts

"They're all alike..."

by Margaret Bednar, October 12, 2012


This is linked with Kim Klaussen's "Texture Tuesday" & IGWRT's "Music with Marian" subject"  Outlaw/Crazy.    I don't think this is exactly what the prompt was looking for, but it is what I could do with the time I have available today.

This is a photo of the new stables my horse, Oberon, is boarding.  I sold my horse, Sebastian, to my instructor/trainer and they are now at a different barn as well.  I am really excited, though, as I may be trail riding with Sebastian & James this weekend.  

IGWRT's "Granny's Quilt"

Would you like to hear me read this poem? (please disregard the washing machine in the background :)


Check this out on Chirbit

Granny's Quilt

Irregular became Granny's hand,
determined patience its guide,

feed sacks, old shirts lovingly pieced together
upon cabin porch's worn cane-bottom chair.

"Stitching prayers" she'd say,

sewing a bit long, a bit ragged. Well house,
wash tub, clucking chickens before us,

my eyes bright, hers dimmed.  Quietly vibrant her voice,
warning me of life's twists and turns.

Spellbound, I sat, watching knarled fingers
create Puritan Stars to wrap about my shoulders,

"To protect you from the wolves of life."

Her faith-filled blessings forever guiding,
forever nurturing all my days.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, August 4, 2012

This if for Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Music with Marian".  The inspirational song today is Sinead O'Connor's "The Wolf is Getting Married".

IGWRT's "dirt farmer" "Americana" a tribute to Levon Helm

Levon Helm with The Band, 1974

Americana

The Midnight Ramble of Levon Helm
wasn't about fashion, nor politics, not really,
his life went beyond.

With flashing sticks and a soul-filled drawl,
his Americana R&R rang with Southern
"self-evident" truths:

the American tall tale,
and the underground,
the renegade, the buccanner.

Stories told, history sang
reminding us we have a place
worthy of calling home.

most lines selected by Margaret Bednar from Charles P. Pierce's article, Art Happens 365, May 4, 2012

* * * * *

I snagged (not a few) lines from this amazing article written by Charles P. Pierce HERE.  It is a wonderful article that pays homage to this great performer, Levon Helm, who died of cancer last Thursday at the age of 71.  There is a GREAT jamming song "Don't Do It" that is a MUST to play LOUD!!  This guy rocked and I will be adding him to my Ipod.  Can't believe I had never heard of him.  HERE is a website that is Home of the Midnight Rambler.

If it hadn't been for the poetry Challenge at "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - dirt farmer" I would never have been introduced.  So, thank you, Marian, for hosting.

IGWRT's Musical Challenge, Patti Smith "Rock 'n' Roll's Poet"

221183:Patti‑Smith‑photo‑by‑Annie.jpg

Rock 'n' Roll's poet,

raging at life, loving life,

a voice organic

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, February 12, 2012

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads "Peace & Noise", a musical challenge: Patti Smith

I will also be linking this up with Sensational Haiku Wednesday - this week's topic is "love".

I have to say, I didn't know much about her.  In doing a "little bit" of research, I got lost in over an hour of reading and listening.   I thought the following was a great summary of who she is:

On May 3, 2011, it was announced that Patti Smith is one of the winners of the Polar Music Prize: "By devoting her life to art in all its forms, Patti Smith has demonstrated how much rock’n'roll there is in poetry and how much poetry there is in rock’n'roll. Patti Smith is a Rimbaud with Marshall amps. She has transformed the way an entire generation looks, thinks and dreams. With her inimitable soul of an artist, Patti Smith proves over and over again that people have the power."