"The Ultimatum"

Blue Muse Art - Etsy Shop  Photographic art by Kelly Letky

The Ultimatum

I tempt fate
with childish pluckings -
unwanted revelations
tossed.

Start over again
with devotional plea -
innocence held
between prayerful fingers.

Start anew, summer's spirit
chained about my head -
upon my lips "he loves me,
he loves me not".

Pagan or Christian?
Tell me
what I want to hear
and I promise to convert.

by Margaret Bednar, August 30, 2014


Oh, the impetuousness (sometimes not so childish) heart!

This is for "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads - Sunday Feature Artist - Kelly Letky'

IGWRT's Sunday Challenge & Open Link Monday "Stonewalled" & "Cursed"

M.Bednar iPhone

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads "The Sunday Challenge" this week's theme "Poetry for the Firefly Jar".   The challenge was to write poetry fragments, pieces that are short and can stand alone or become part of a bigger poem in the future.  Also linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads Open Link Monday."

I don't have a jar full of written fragments, but I do have a box full of photos for inspiration.

M.Bednar iPhone

The little background:  The name comes from the Greek (orkhis), literally meaning "testicle", because of the shape of the root.  The Greek myth of Orchis explains the origin of the plants.  Orchis, the son of a nymph and a satyr, came upon a festival of Dionysios (Bacchus) in the forest.  He drank too much, and attempted to rape a priestess of Dionysios.  For his insult, he was torn apart by the Bacchanalians.  His father prayed for him to be restored, but the gods instead changed him into a flower.

IGWRT's Sunday Challenge - Around the World, "Overload"

Overload

Tucked away amongst tombs
and palaces, I wander,
become "one"
with exotic and frenetic.

Inhale lentil soup,
sesame-covered peanuts,
dried apricots, piled nine feet high,
figs, snails, pumpkin seeds, and dates,

splashing fountains,
citrus trees, mosaics,
fetid disguised with sprigs of mint.

Resist goat head, brains,
and snake charming vendors
from stall number seven,

dodge overloaded donkey carts,
duck into labyrinths
of textiles, herbs, metal works,
silk and leather.

Brand my skin with henna
as musical notes ride
swirling dust.

Follow the scent of warm
flatbread and honey,
fresh squeezed juice of orange,

and loose myself
in filtered light,
unnavigable souks,

dead-ending
in spicy reds, golds, browns,
rustic oranges, tropical greens,
pulsating blues.

Unmindful
if I ever find my way back.


by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, September 9, 2012

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Sunday Challenge "Around the World".   HERE is a blogpost that has a few photos of a real Moroccan market.  And if you really want an in-depth overload, here is a site entitled "Images of Daily Life in Morocco"

IGWRT's Sunday Challenge "Maternal Yearning" & Friday Flash 55 (for Aug 10)

"Photography by Teresa"

Would you like to hear me read my poem?


Check this out on Chirbit

Maternal Yearning

She hovers,
over-protective arms beckon,
maternal yearning hoisted
like the Jolly Roger.

Warmth, comfort, found
within weathered, rounded shape,
ferocity, toughness exist
without question.

Warns of dark shadows
'til she's breathless.  Watches
life's wind, thunder, lightening,
threaten and strike.

Security, disregarded.
Her children preferring
to brave life's elements
rather than seek her sheltering bosom.

Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, August 5, 2012

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "The Sunday Challenge" featuring the photography of Terese of Razzamadazzle!  She offered her entire  photo collection for our inspiration and I enjoyed my trip through her photography.  I love old barns and horses, so this selection was a no brainer for me.

I also was able to complete this in 55 words for The G-Man at Friday Flash 55 .

IGWRT's The Sunday Challenge "The Southbound Train"

Photo Courtesy of Susie Clevenger's photography blog "And There is More"

The Southbound Train

The southbound train
wouldn't wait, impatiently
whistled once, twice, thrice

and took a young man away
from this sleepy little town
and from me.

He didn't look back
as the train pulled away
s-l-o-w-l-y, oh, so slowly

or he'd have seen me,
one hand upon my heart,
the other reaching, forever reaching.

The southbound train
brought him back;
still no kiss, no sweet smile, mine

a war hero returned
for this sleepy little town
to bury and mourn.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, April 14, 2012


I have NO idea why this evoked such sad sentiments... but it did.  This beautiful black and white photography is courtesy of Susie Clevenger (click the link below the photo) and for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads "The Sunday Challenge".  


This poem is for

IGWRT's Sunday Challenge "The Declaration"

Photo Courtesy of Laura Hedgfield

The Declaration

A pink promise he placed
in the palm of her hand

declared,

"Beauty fades
but my love for you
never will".

"Eeyou!" she wailed

and crushed it
under her Sketchers.

Ten years later
she asked him to prom
placed pink lipstick
upon his cheek

implored,

"Please don't say eeyou."

The thought never crossed his mind.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, April 2, 2012

* * * * *

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads "The Sunday Challenge".  Todays highlighted photographer is Laura Hedgfield of "Shine the Divine - Creativity IS a Spiritual Practice".

IGWRT's The Sunday Challenge, "The Path"

Photo courtesy of Shanyn Silinski

The Path

She peers eagerly
into a future glistening
like a silken web.

Untangled dreams promising
romance, pristine adventure,
and happily ever after.

With eyes weary
I foresee an intricate path
of steep inclines,
shadows, perfidious divots

and remember how swiftly
one poisonous bite
can unravel
youthful enchantment

revealing a fairy tale
a bit more Grimm.

Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, March 19, 2012

* * * * *

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads "The Sunday Challenge" w/ Shanyn Silinski.

The above photo was taken by Shanyn Silinksi of blogs: Sunflower Poetry and Mystic Mom.  She is featured at Imaginary Garden with Real Toads (click above). 

IGWRT Sunday Challenge - "Reservoir of Strength"

Photo provided by Mary Ann Potter

Reservoir of Strength

It's the languid quiet of mid afternoon I remember,
lethargic days spent trance-like, supinely sprawled
beneath Grandmother's cherry tree, bees buzzing,
book more often than not drooped at an odd angle,
obscure dreams reshaping in endless cerulean-blue.

This sweet potpourri of hope I often scoop up,

splash upon face, shoulders, mind, inhale the dreams

of childhood long ago...

I went back once, the farm house bearing up under neglect,
abandonment.  What of the knarled, bent umbrella, my protector
of summer heat and youthful fancies?  My reservoir of strength
is still there, but only in my mind's eye

and thank God, it hasn't run dry.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, February 19, 2012

* * * * *

This is hastily written for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - The Sunday Challenge.  A photographic prompt provided by one of my favorite blogging photographers and poets... Mary Ann Potter.  Her blog is "From the Starcatcher".   I'm sure I will come back and want to re-work this, but sometimes it is interesting to leave the initial writing as is for a while ...

I have had an extremely busy week and I am behind in my blog visiting and commenting.  I look forward to a relaxing Monday morning (of no sick kids, no "responsibilities") catching up and being inspired by my fellow poets and photographers.

Poetry Jam "Exalted", IGWRT's "Sunday Challenge" & "Sensational Haiku Wednesday" & dVerse "Open Link Night"

Photo provided by Richard Schear

Icy frozen sin

thaws, arms plead "deliver me"

exalted by grace

Exalted

Exposed and naked

I alone can do nothing

as a dark iciness

attempts to seer its brand

upon my gnarled body

bent with age, 

soft green innocence

long fallen away,

a life wicked, embraced.

I plead each knot

a tribulation endured,

paths chosen unwisely, perhaps,

throughout life's seasons,

but as I lie prostrate beneath

humanity's descending curtain,

I brazenly stretch frigid fingers

towards a final sliver of light

seeking to be deliquesced,

sinful brand removed

replaced with a new inner coat

of sparkling white.

With my last breath, I seek to be

exalted by His grace.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, February 7, 2012

This may be a stretch... and I'm still not sure if I must use the word or the meaning of the word for "Sensational Haiku Wednesday" ( I will link up to later this evening).  (Jenn, let me know! :)  This week's word theme is: Relief - alleviation, ease, or deliverance through the removal of pain, distress, oppression, etc.

This is also linked with Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Sunday Challenge" featuring fellow toad, Kay L. Davies photographer husband, Richard Schear.  I chose the above photo.  I often think we are like the frozen trees, needing the "son" the "light", to bring us new life.  

I am also linking up with dVerse's "Open Link Night".

Another poetry challenge from "Poetry Jam" is to experience cold or hot and how that makes us feel.  I revised a poem I had written on January 4, 2011.  (I find much of my poetry back then is due for a bit of "retouching")

Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Photography Challenge - "Surrender"

Surrender

Amongst hydrangeas

whose bloom will blush

baby blue come spring

I linger, solitaire.  Silently

observe life rush by

on bicycles and Nike clad feet.

Like incense 

wafting from an altar

peace and harmony 

chirp a soothing song

nestled within mighty oak's embrace.

This tranquil bouquet

I inhale deeply

allow it to seep

into seasoned frame.

Surrender to my charm, will you?

Enjoy this day, this moment?

Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, January 21, 2012

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads "Photography Challenge".  Today I AM the featured photographer.  How about that!  I have made available any and all of my photos, so click on over and see what these super creative and talented people do with my images!  :)

An old poem of mine is featured, but since we are supposed to submit NEW material, I came up with this short poem from a recent walk I took.  Benches always attract my eye, but not usually my seat as I usually walking three dogs plus children. Sigh, I will surrender some day to their charm, though.  

Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Photography Challenge Sunday "No Faith"

Photographer:  Isadora Gruye of The Nice Cage Blog

No Faith

Hope pursues me, winged
My childhood friend
Imploring I give prayer a chance

I did once
If not a thousand times
And grace
Let
Me
Down.

As black of eye
And sore of leg
I staggered away
From him.

Not bothering
To close the gate
As precious minutes
That would take.
Photographs, jewelry,
Bible left behind
He begged, "One more chance"
Assured me "Never again!"

I declined.

For all the saints
In heaven above
Their prayers
Were not enough
To change his ways
Change his heart.

My world has fallen apart
Rebuild it now, I must.

Angelic promises?
No devotion, have I.

I've heard them all before.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, January 14, 2012

* * * * *

This is written for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads, "Photographic Challenge Sunday".  Isadora Gruye of The Nice Cage Blog is the featured poet and photographer.  

This poem in NO way reflects any experience I have had (thank God).  I overheard someone talking about a relationship they had escaped from and how they had lost faith in God.  I couldn't help but think perhaps their prayers were answered.  I mean, how many women stay in abusive relationships, unable to find the courage to leave?

Art Work from Google Images