Robyn Hood Black - children's author, poet, artist

Apr 13, 2017 5:55 PM EDT

I love this interview, Robyn. This haiku blew me away. So much said in so few words. Thanks for this.

a caged chimpanzee
injected with hepatitis
signs hello

- Linda

Apr 13, 2017 6:35 PM EDT

I particularly love the haiku about the dead bumblebee, and the little boy preparing to give it a proper burial, it's such a quietly touching snapshot of a moment in time.

- Jane @ Raincity Librarian

Apr 13, 2017 7:00 PM EDT

A very thoughtful post today. It's nice to get to know the person behind the name (it's a name I've come across many times in the haiku world). Have a great time at the HSA gathering!

- Diane Mayr

Apr 13, 2017 7:16 PM EDT

Hi, Linda - thanks so much for taking the time to read it. That poem by Allan Burns stopped me in my tracks, too, when I read it in the anthology.

Jane - such a touching scene portrayed in so few words, isn't it? Thank you for coming by and joining the discussion.

Greetings, Dear Diane! I had seen Robert's name for years as well and have thoroughly enjoyed some email correspondence with him since last year. Wish we could lasso you for some time down South next week, but I'll try to take some pictures.

- Robyn Black

Apr 13, 2017 9:27 PM EDT

Lovely ideas well expressed. Thanks for the post.

- Brenda at friendlyfairytales

Apr 14, 2017 4:04 AM EDT

Thank you for visiting today, Brenda! I'm happy to be able to share some of Robert's work.

- Robyn Black

Apr 14, 2017 5:48 AM EDT

It's a beautiful interview, Robyn, full of thoughtful words and punctuated by the haiku. I'm touched by each haiku thought that can open a conversation. Thanks for giving a glimpse of Robert's story. It makes the haiku even richer.

- Linda Baie

Apr 14, 2017 5:54 AM EDT

Great interview, Robyn. The first haiku resonates with me. Hope you enjoy the rest of National Poetry Month. If interested, I would love to have you join my spring gallery, Springsations!

- Carol Varsalona

Apr 14, 2017 5:59 AM EDT

Hi, Linda - thanks for reading; this was a more fulsome post than I usually share! But, as you say, so rich. Haiku is addictive I that way, isn't it?

Carol, hi and thank you! I can't believe I still haven't gotten anything to you. Always so many plates spinning. But I get to set a couple of them down, soon, after our HSA meeting next weekend! I'll check your schedule. ;0)

- Robyn Black

Apr 14, 2017 8:08 AM EDT

Thank you for sharing this thought-provoking interview and haiku today, Robyn.

- Catherine @ Reading to the Core

Apr 14, 2017 8:17 AM EDT

Hi, Catherine - thank YOU for taking the time to take it in! XO

- Robyn Black

Apr 14, 2017 10:32 AM EDT

A wonderful interview, Robyn. I think my favorite haiku is the bumblebee poem. I love the image of the little boy with that matchbook.

- Doraine Bennett

Apr 14, 2017 12:52 PM EDT

Thank you, Robyn, for introducing Robert and his poetry. Thank you, Robert, for sharing the story of your journey and your poetry.

- Kay McGriff (@kaymcgriff)

Apr 14, 2017 1:54 PM EDT

Doraine, thanks for hosting this week! That image of the bumblebee in the matchbox is going to stay with me, too.

Hi, Kay - so glad you spent time here with Robert and his poetry today. Thanks for the kind words.

- Robyn Black

Apr 14, 2017 5:56 PM EDT

Robyn, this was informative and fascinating to read. Thank you for interviewing Robert. His poetry is spare but his ideas and heart are huge. So inspirational! I can't wait to see what comes out of the Earth Day gathering. What a nice visit this week. Thank you, again.

- Linda Mitchell

Apr 14, 2017 6:14 PM EDT

Thank you for coming by, Linda! Robert's work has been known in the haiku world for many years; glad to share him with the Poetry Friday crowd, and glad you enjoyed the interview and poems.

- Robyn Black

Apr 14, 2017 8:26 PM EDT

Thanks, Robyn, (and Robert) for such an interesting interview. I connected with the little boy looking for a matchbox for the dead bumblebee... love that haiku.

- Alice Nine

Apr 15, 2017 3:39 AM EDT

I am inspired by people so unified in their beliefs and their life's work!

- Mary Lee Hahn

Apr 15, 2017 3:43 AM EDT

Enjoyed Robert's voice, both throughout the interview and in the haiku. It is always so interesting to hear of people's ethical/intellectual/spiritual journeys--and congrats, Robyn, on your conference! Organizing that is a quite an achievement.

- Heidi Mordhorst

Apr 15, 2017 4:58 AM EDT

Hi, Alice - thanks for the visit. Such a tender, powerful image, isn't it?

Mary Lee - your succinct haiku sensitivities come through in your prose - wonderful, apt description!

Hi, Heidi - thanks for joining in. Glad to acquaint you with Robert and a sampling of his work. Thanks also re. the conference; it's going to be a fun, & I hope meaningful, weekend!

- Robyn Black

Apr 16, 2017 3:28 PM EDT

Thank you for sharing this wonderful book with us. I am looking forward to your notes about the conference next weekend. There is spirit!

- jone

Apr 16, 2017 8:57 PM EDT

Jone - I'll be thinking of you next weekend - thanks for joining with us in spirit! -- and glad you enjoyed discovering some of Robert's work. :0)

- Robyn Black

Apr 17, 2017 2:01 AM EDT

What an interesting and thought-provoking interview. Although I am already vegetarian, Robert's passion and commitment have me thinking more about other life choices and about invisible chains. The chimpanzee haiku is unbearably sad.

- Molly Hogan

Apr 17, 2017 4:23 AM EDT

Molly, thank you for coming by and joining the conversation. Robert gives us much to consider, and I agree about the chimpanzee haiku he selected to share from the anthology - so effective and haunting.

- Robyn Black