"Isabelle", a poem

Photography courtesy of Rosie Hardy for One Stop Poetry

Isabelle

Perfectly beautiful Isabelle,
she of smokey blue eyes
and dark silken tresses,
extreme sensitivity her allure;
manipulation, my game, unseen.
A playful, loving heart,
wickedly destroyed
by my powerfully curved talons;
vulnerability my stimulation.
My noble exterior a facade
as I swooped, stalked and ripped.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, July 17, 2011

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This is the LAST of One Stop Poetry.  I will GREATLY miss it and I thank everyone who hosted at this poetry site for the amazing time and effort you put into it.  I believe I have most of you on my blog list now and will continue to follow your individual blogs.   This is for One Shoot Sunday.  Click HERE to see the interview with photographer Rosie Hardy.

The Phone Call, a poem

Photo Courtesy of Rob Hanson for One Stop Poetry

The Phone Call

I close my eyes and

hear your voice, faintly.

My memory flutters

and skips like an old

movie reel, your voice

distorted; static and distantly

urgent, you told me

you loved another.

I clasped the receiver

for hours.   Did I think

I was holding on to you?

An antique now,

it gathers dust

along with my dreams,

ripped out of the wall,

its purpose, its life

ended.  As mine did

the last day you called.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, June 12, 2011

This is for One Stop Poetry's "One Shoot Sunday".  Rob Hanson is the photographer that was interviewed.  My week has been so hectic and I had hoped to spend more than 15 minutes on this!  But the midnight hour is upon me so... it is what it is! 

"Golden Surrender"

Photo courtesy of Walter Parada for "One Stop Poetry"

Golden Surrender

Golden Wheat

Swooning from the heat

As do I

Surrender

To this farmer, my husband

In this sea of gold

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, May 22, 2011

This is for One Stop Poetry's "One Shoot Sunday".   The photographer interviewed and highlighted today is "Walter Parada".   I find his portraits stunning and beautiful ...  I mean the above is gorgeous!  We had a number of photos to choose from... but I seemed not to be able to pass up this one!  :)

I used a poetry form called "shadorma".  No rhyme scheme and the syllabic structure is 3/5/3/3/7/5.  I imagine many woman would surrender city life and all it's "benefits" for such as is pictured above! 

"Opium", A Poem

Photography courtesy of Fee Easton for One Stop Poetry

Opium

A scarlet dream is tempting me

So softly, gently it endures

Of memories, like potpourri

A scarlet dream is tempting me

My past, my love, this cannot be...

Eternally my heart is yours...

A scarlet dream is tempting me

So softly, gently it endures.

By Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, May 15, 2011

This is a triolet poem (at least I think I got the rhythm and form right...)   I very quickly made it up for One Stop Poetry's "One Shoot Sunday Poetry Challenge".  The guest interview was with Fee Easton, a photographer.  Usually only one photo is available, but she left several.  I chose the poppies and hope the poem makes sense.  (I focused on the opiate effect that the oriental poppies have.  The way I understand it, all others are only mildly sedative.)

(After posting this, I realized after reading comments that my "rhythm" was off.  My 2nd and last line used to be: "So softly and gently it lures"...  This rhythm and rhyme stuff is going to kill me!  

With this poem I tried to portray a hallucinatory vision, due to the drugs, of a past love materializing in front of the person's eyes.  Maybe I didn't succeed...  It is funny, because my husband hardly EVER gets any of my poetry and at times I feel like I must be just AWEFUL at this...  (He didn't understand I was referring to drugs, even with the title "Opium")  Granted, he isn't one for poetry nor does he enjoy it.  He was watching the Bulls/Heat game (Bulls won, yeah) while I worked on this.  (I don't really like basketball, but I usually do enjoy the MBA finals a bit).  Oh well, somehow opposites attract :)

I went to see the traveling Broadway musical "HAIR" tonight (a musical about hippies and the 60's) with my daughter (boy, did she get an eyeful).  So this poem fits right in!!  Ha, ha.

And the following is for "Macro Monday".  Click to see other amazing photographs.

"Destructive Fantasy", a poem and Poetry Book Giveaway Winners

Photography courtesy of Rosa Frei

Destructive Fantasy

Seductively dangerous,
your words, your "love".
Deceptive illusions
swirl about my heart,
leaving it barren.
Impoverished,
I long for beauty,
for truth.
Repeatedly I believe
in the mirage,
briefly soaring.
But you are like the
desert's shifting sands;
destructive and uncaring.

How I wish
I could ride the wind
to a distant oasis,
away from your treachery
and lies.

Sadly, I lack the strength
to risk fleeting happiness.
My parched lips
still long for yours.
This treacherous heart
willing to accept
the fantasy, once again.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, May 1, 2011

This is a poem hastily written for One Stop Poetry's "One Shoot Sunday".  (totally fiction, I want to add!   - but all too true in some instances.) The Interview is with Rosa Frei, a Moroccan-based photographer.

I am really having a hard time getting back in to the swing of things after our week long vacation!  I DID give up my cleaning lady so that we can lease a pony, and THAT may have something to do with it.  I showed all four girls how to clean MY way and I am sure we will all be fine in a few weeks!  Their first riding lesson is Thursday after school and we get to meet the pony then.  Can't wait.

I hope to get to visit everyone tomorrow morning - I have missed my blog friends creativity!


THE WINNERS OF MY POETRY BOOK GIVEAWAY ARE:


Elise Wormouth - Chapters Into Verse
Patty Pitterle - The Prophet - Kahlil Gibran

The Balloon, a poem

"Photo courtesy of Lauren Randolph for One Stop Poetry"

The Balloon

A boy smiles, arm upwardly extended
waving goodbye to his friend.
The friend floats out of sight
sailing toward the cotton-ball sky.
Swirling and traveling high above
it finally descends slowly,
gently observing a girl
jumping rope by herself.
Patiently it settles and waits.
Finally noticed and tentatively grasped.
A vibration of happiness
travels down the string's length.
Its job has just begun.
At least she no longer feels alone.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, 4-10-11

This poem is for One Stop Poetry's "One Shoot Sunday".  The guest photographer is Lauren Randolph and her interview is a fun, inspiring read.   I was imagining the balloon as an angel traversing the world helping children who are sad and/or depressed and then moving on when it accomplishes its goal in pursuit of the next child needing help.

Does anyone remember "The Red Balloon"?  I was intrigued by that movie in elementary school and have never forgotten it.  My husband just told me he hated that movie and was forced to watch it year after year in school...  LOL.  Maybe I will Netflix it and offer him a choice between a "chick" flick and "The Red Balloon" next weekend!  :)

Wow, what a busy week.  Guests and my son's high school senior prom.  He and all his friends were so elegant and gorgeous... Such a great group of "kids" :)  Can't believe my firstborn will be in college.  Wow... 

"An Old Acquaintance", a poem and "An Old Flame" another poem

I adore this horse next door.  Such spirit and energy!  The left eye is blue, just like my pony when I was a kid.  It is often referred to as a "glass" eye.  It works perfectly well and I love a horse with one.  Some people hate them.  This is my submission for the "Sunday Creative"; the prompt word for this week is "glass".

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"Photo courtesy of India Hobson for One Stop Poetry"

The Sunday Photography Interview over at "One Stop Poetry" is with India Hobson.   The above photograph with it's beautiful coloring is the poetry-prompt challenge.  The following poem is for "One Shoot Sunday".  Stop over to see the other entries.

An Old Acquaintance

An old acquaintance I can not shake,

always peering over my shoulder;

creating self-doubt and insecurity.

Ignore her at times, I do,

but rather persistent is she.

There are times she has a point,

making me rethink my strategy.

But mostly, this self-doubt of mine

is better ignored and replaced

with another muse, Ms. Creativity.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, 4-3-11

* * * * * 

The poetry challenge today for Kells' New Daily Poetry Prompts ("button" on my side bar) is:  Write a poem that is really a love letter to an old flame.  To make sure it doesn't slip into sappy, make sure one or more of these words is in the poem:  dung beetle, politician, nuclear, exoskeleton, oceanography, pompadour, toilet. ... (this is getting hard!)

An Old Flame

The "love of my life", I did meet today

I, with no makeup and hair in disarray!

Caught in the grocery store's ice cream aisle.

A flash of recognition, and a faint smile..

(His grand pompadour; a comb-over! Here's

the real tragedy of sixty years!)

Recalling passionate promises whispered

earnestly.  "Soul mates forever" we declared

off to college we went; to speak no more...

until today, standing by the freezer door.

Gallantly he bowed, offered me the last 

"double fudge" ice cream. "Are you sure?" I asked.

Tentatively he inquired of me, "My sweet,

are you possibly free to share this fine treat?"

So, here I am all atwitter; the same

butterflies of years ago for this "old flame!"

A lifetime of happiness and joy to share

of memories, timeworn.  And now a new affair

perhaps to pick up and once again pursue;

It does seem I have a "thing" for eyes of light blue.

By Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, 4-3-11

Too bad comb-overs aren't as adorable as this:

Image courtesy of Google Images

Immortal Influence, a poem 173-175/365

Photo courtesy of James Rainsford for One Stop Poetry

Immortal Influence

Indelible impressions molded and carved,
expressions frozen, evoking sentiments, strong.
Life's vitality, offered a second chance.
Toppled are some.  Idols no longer,
voices silenced, memories banished.
But some are revered, stirring hearts and
motivating minds with influence immortal.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, 03-20-11

This is for One Stop Poetry's Sunday's Picture Prompt Challenge.  The featured guest interview was with James Rainsford.  He is an amazing photographer (HERE) and a lovely poet (HERE) and (HERE).  He is a twice published author and I encourage you to sit back and enjoy his work.

For me, poetry is something that I must read everyday, practiced everyday in some way in order to improve.  Word jotted down in a little journal - at times, thoughts scribbled upon a napkin.  Poetry is work for me, but a challenge I enjoy.  To have even embarked on this sort of writing amazes me as I really have a lot of insecurity with what I am doing... Critiques are always welcomed here - my goal is to improve.  I am always searching for poets to read, to absorb.  My son just read William Blake to me in the car and I loved the way his words flowed (didn't understand them all, but I will have to go back on my own and investigate).

I have attached a copy of "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde about a statue and a swallow.  It ties in nicely to the photo prompt, I think.  Please click HERE to read it.

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Sunday Creative Word Prompt:  "Magnified"

Yesterday was a perfect day to enjoy the out of doors.  I think we walked 5 miles and stopped many times along the way.  When I am with my three year old son, life is magnified.  The smallest things fascinate him and this is one example.  He insisted on peering at the edge of the water - always looking for fish or frogs.  He was rewarded with a turtle backing out of the bank.  I almost didn't capture this big  turtle before it quickly swam into the deep water.  Does anyone recognize what kind this is?

The photo below is today's shot for "Movement in March".  This is not just some random guy running past me.  It is my husband helping me capture an action shot.  :)

I have taken a number of photos of this same sweet spot.  He loves to throw stones into the water here.  This is for this week's "Black & White Wednesday". 

And following is a photo that you are free to download and do with it what you will.  Please just give me credit for the photo and if you add a texture or paint it, please let me know as I would like to see it.  On my side bar is a "button" of which you can click and see other "give-away" photos.  Thank you.  

"Reverberating Passions", a poem for One Stop Poetry picture prompt 157/365

Reverberating Passions

Majestic theater, only in memory lives on.
Burgundy grand drape tattered and torn,
exposing its soul to the forsaken house.
Fly space and wings, unveiled and stripped.
The regal proscenium arch lies prostrate,
never to rise and separate again.
But within this charred, vapid skeleton
a permeating presence remains.
Flickering and faded, it lingers, waiting
For a kindred soul to conjure its spirit
and allow the reverberating passions
once experienced upon vanished floorboards
to live again.  To echo, for a moment, with life
breathed into them by the souls
who graced this once majestic theater.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, 3-6-11

This is for One Stop Poetry's "One Shoot Sunday".  The photography interview is with Jacob Lucas.  (and the grammar question I always ask... is it lies or lays?...5th line in poem) The photo below will be for "Black and White Wednesday".   And after all, a rose is often given after a performance on opening night!

One Shoot Sunday- "Royal Wounds", Haiku-"The Journey", 150/365

My daughter and I were inspired to go "treasure" hunting at Goodwill due to Tess Kincaid of Willow Manor's post (HERE).  My little find is not quite as exciting a treasure as hers.  This little cherub was distributed by an Ohio company, Napco, established in 1938.  They imported Napcoware from Japan and it was popular in the 40's and 50's.  I got him for $1.00 and I think he goes well with my vintage Wedgewood (Lichfield) China.  A few dried flowers might look charming in the dish.  The above photo is for my "365 Photographic Journey".

* * * * *

Photo courtesy of "The Haiku Challenge"

Personal journey

Traveling life's twisting path

Searching for substance

by Margaret Bednar, 02/27/11

for "The Haiku Challenge"

I liked this definition of substance:  The actual matter of a thing; as opposed to the appearance or shadow; reality.  This wraps up the daily Haiku challenge for February.  It was a lot of fun.

* * * * *

Photo courtesy of "Jack AZ Photography"

Royal Wounds
Ripping out words, my heart is consumed with feelings of
outrage and discontent.  Tired fingers tap out my nightmare, memories
yanked from the past, brutally displayed upon pristine white.
Arduously spilling buried emotions, the antique keys race with my heart.
Longingly I wish truth would escape, acutely aware the
wounds will end up crumpled.  The devastating omission, hidden.
Oh, to be branded like my faithful "ROYAL".
Upon each year, improved, declared "Magnificent".  My voice
noisy, courageous, unafraid.  Sturdy and strong, I would reveal the
darkest of secrets, striking out with bold black ink, freeing my
soul from this haunting pain...  My hand returns the carriage and me to reality.

by Margaret Bednar, "Art Happens" 02/27/11

for One Stop Poetry's "One Shoot Sunday"

This Sunday's interview is part two with Jack of "Jack AZ Photography".   Like I said last Sunday, his site is definitely worth investigating.  

Haiku, "The Dark Side", 144/356

Photo courtesy of Jack AZ Photography

Serenade begins

Dark vibrations hypnotize

Fatal attraction

by Margaret Bednar

for One Stop Poetry's "One Shoot Sunday"

Photographer Interview:  Jack AZ Photography

Visit his fun blog - he has tips, amazing photos and he writes poetry!

It was a glorious day today.  Just the right amount of sun and fresh air to tempt us to leave the inside chores for another day and take a long walk and visit the playground.  I liked this reflection of the tree in the water and it goes quite nicely with the theme, I think.  And to top it all off, we enjoyed a fantastic dinner theatre murder mystery this weekend. 

Haiku, "Wasted Potential"

Photo courtesy of Sean McCormick for "One Shoot Sunday"

Possibilities

Victim of low self-esteem

Wasted potential

My above haiku is for One Stop Poetry's "One Shoot Sunday".  The guest photographer is Sean McCormick.


The photos below are a part of my 365 Day Photographic Journey.  The morning light was not to my advantage, so I decided to turn them into b&w images.

Reassuring Embrace - a poem

Photo Courtesy of Sean McCormick for One Shoot Sunday

Reassuring Embrace

The words meant for comfort,

for glory,

are hollow to my ears.

Turbulent emotions inside me,

repressed,

straining for release.

With lowered eyes,

I retreat, silently.

Prayers grow faint.

Fresh air, inhaled,

splashing glorious color

upon my soul.

My eyes see differently.

The world is not colorless;

it is a rainbow.

I walk towards my sanctuary,

its silhouette

calmly reassuring.

I enter the glowing warmth.

Gray weathered boards tinged with blue

embrace me like a butterfly's sapphire wings

and I can soar, far, far away.

To a better time, a better place,

where individuality is admired,

creative minds applauded,

fairness pursued,

differences tolerated.

by Margaret Bednar

This poem is for One Stop Poetry's One Shoot Sunday. The photo above is the prompt for the poem.  Please click HERE to see other entries.  The guest photographer being interviewed is Sean McCormick and his website is HERE.


Below are photos I took while driving through Wisconsin.  Truly a spot where one's spirit is easily uplifted by God's creation. (and yes, the kids did whine "WHY are we stopping for pictures AGAIN!")

"The Embrace" and "A Path, Destructive" two poems

Photo courtesy of Heather T.

 The Embrace

Moist

And clinging

Feathery caress

So intimate

Winter's

Deadly kiss

by Margaret Bednar

The poem above is for "Write with Pictures" - Wednesday's Ten (share thoughts in ten words only). The photograph is provided by Helen of "A Vermont Girl - Memoirs and Photography". 


The following is for One Stop Poetry's "One Shoot Photography Sunday".  The photo is courtesy of Mike Roemer.  Please click on his link or on the one above to enjoy his interview by Dustus.  

Photo courtesy of Mike Roamer

A Path, Destructive


Desire courses through our veins,
Often attracted to passions unfitting.
The gifts bestowed upon us, misused,
Traveling down a path, destructive.


Like a moth to a flame we are lured,
Tempted by the promise of greatness.
Wasting the potential hidden within,
Happiness voluntarily castaway.


by Margaret Bednar 

One Shoot Sunday, "The First Kiss"

photo courtesy of Katherine Forbes

The First Kiss

We trembled with anticipation

As we walked along the dock.

Shyly glanced at one another,

Awkwardness multiplied.

Faced each other -

Lips puckered, 

As if experiencing

A sour lemon.

Bodies

A mountain range apart.

It finally landed

Like a butterfly

On the corner of my mouth

And swiftly fluttered

Away.

After fifty years,

We have improved.

***

by Margaret Bednar

I also posted this on my new Creative Writing blog: Art Happens in Black & White. It is also on my sidebar.  Since this reads kind of like a poem, I thought I would post it here as well.  Please visit my "Black & White" blog and see what you think.  :)  

The above is a Flash Fiction 55 for One Stop Poetry's "One Shoot Sunday".  The photographer interviewed is Katherine Forbes.  Please click on One Shoot Sunday if you would like to read other submissions for this photo prompt.  

Runaway Bride, Haiku

Photo by Danielle Kelly

The above is a prompt for "One Stop Poetry Sunday Picture Prompt Challenge". Click HERE to read the feature about photographer Danielle Kelly and check out other imaginative poetry inspired by the above photograph.  My poem is a haiku - a 17 syllable poem that I did in 5,7,5 format.

Cathedral fading

Heart pounding, feet sore, veil torn

Future full of hope


by Margaret Bednar

...or at least I thought it was a haiku!  How opportune that the next posting on One Stop Poetry was about... haikus.  Please click HERE if you would like to learn more about the right and the wrong of this form of poetry.