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

Life on the Deckle Edge

POETRY MONTH/Poetry Friday - Short Poetic Diversions Soothing or Silly

April 23, 2020

Tags: </br>Poetry Friday, Acorn Haiku, National Poetry Month, bird haiku, bird poems, poems for kids, poems for teachers, poetry for kids, poets reading poems, silly poems, I pause for poems, I pause for haiku, short poems

Click here for my YouTube Channel, featuring all my Poetry Month mini poem movies!

Greetings, Poetry Lovers! I hope in the midst of these jarring days you are finding comfort through poetry. I've got two short diversions today, depending on whether you need something calm and soothing, or something downright silly.

My National Poetry Month mini-movies project continues with "I Pause for Poems" and "I Pause for Haiku" offerings. Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in April, I'm posting a video featuring one of my published children's poems, and each Tuesday and Thursday, its a haiku suitable for kids. (18 down... four to go!)

First, yesterday's haiku video. It features the poem and picture above. The haiku is from THIS WORLD, Haiku Society of America 2013 Members' Anthology:

lingering afternoon

the ebb and flow

of birdsong

©Robyn Hood Black

Now, I had been out in the neighborhood this week, recording bird chatter and also taking pictures of leafy oaks and twisty vines, which I was planning to use as the background for the poem text. Then Morgan sent the amazing photo above in a family text on Wednesday. (She teaches third grade in Georgia; her teaching from home since March was the biggest inspiration for me to record these short, teacher-friendly videos!)

Morgan and hubby Matt have been hosting a bluebird pair in their back yard. So I borrowed the wonderful image, added my haiku, and shared it with Caraol Varsalona as well, for her beautiful #NatureNurtures2020 gallery this month. (Here's the link to the video again.)

If you need something a little wackier, might I serve you up some of today's little movie? It features this poem from THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY - K-5 Edition (Pomelo Books, 2012) edited by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong. [Interrupts to wave madly at Janet and say CONGRATS to you and all the other fine folks on the NCTE Notables List announced this week!!]

Here's the poem:

SNACK RULES

Don't talk with your mouth full -

full of peanut butter.

Anything you try to say

wll cmmm out as a mmmttrr.

©Robyn Hood Black

If you click here for this video, you'll see Rita in a cameo role. She celebrated her eighth birthday this month, by the way.

Be sure to follow along with the Progressive Poem - it happens to park at Wondering and Wondering today, where the generous and talented Christie is hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup, too!

Thatsalotta hosting!

(I've got to come up with Monday's line... wish me luck and circle back around after the weekend.) Thanks for coming by!

--Children under the age of 13 need demonstrated parental consent to leave a comment - Thanks!--

PS - The Authors Guild techno-wizards are trying to fix my comment section, which has been making it seem that comments don't go through. They advised me to keep comments set to 'moderated' in the meantime, so I'll do that this week.

24 Comments

Comments

Apr 24, 2020 12:28 AM EDT

Oh Robyn. You are so funny! Excellent poem and video, and I love Rita!

- Sally Murphy

Apr 24, 2020 7:46 AM EDT

--Hi, Sally! Thanks, and glad you enjoyed. Rita sends her love...

- Robyn Hood Black

Apr 24, 2020 9:21 AM EDT

I love the way you staged your last video with your adorable pup, your hat, the teacup etc. So engaging and funny!

- Janice Scully

Apr 24, 2020 9:25 AM EDT

--Thank you, Janice - It was just two takes with Rita involved - I was afraid to push my luck! ;0)

- Robyn Hood Black

Apr 24, 2020 10:39 AM EDT

Your videos are a welcome treat, Robyn. If I read Snack Rules earlier, I didn't remember it & it is hilarious! Fun to have some laughs in the poetry, right? Happy Friday!

- Linda Baie

Apr 24, 2020 11:12 AM EDT

Love your video!

- Amy

Apr 24, 2020 11:53 AM EDT

Your videos make my day! Of course your tea time with Rita made me laugh (much needed). She kissed you right on cue, didn't she? And then your lovely haiku -- so calming. You are too adorable (and now Mr C's crush on you is bigger than ever).

- jama

Apr 24, 2020 12:23 PM EDT

--Hi, Linda - Glad you got a chuckle! We all need a little silly lightness in the midst of these dark times - I know I do! Thanks so much for coming by.

--Thank you, Amy - :0) :0) :0)

--Dearest Jama, please give Mr. C. a big bear-hug from me. Tell him mistletoe will be back up in .. 8(?!) months. Thanks for pulling up a chair and joining Rita and me for tea! XO

- Robyn Hood Black

Apr 24, 2020 12:26 PM EDT

How do I get a pair of bluebirds to move in to the house on my back porch? That's what I'd like to know! Your Snack Rules video is a hoot. So sweet how Rita was sneaking in kisses at every opportunity. xxx

- Michelle Heidenrich Barnes

Apr 24, 2020 2:38 PM EDT

That is a gorgeous photo - and perfect to pair with your haiku. We've enjoyed the ebb and flow of many birdsongs this spring. And the second poem gave me a much needed chuckle today.

- Kay Jernigan McGriff

Apr 24, 2020 3:53 PM EDT

Your pup was so focused on those peanut butter crackers until he finally got to lick the knife! Loved watching him (and you were aokay, too!)

- Buffy Silverman

Apr 24, 2020 5:23 PM EDT

--Howdy, Michelle! And they have two big dogs, too. But it's a nice big yard with lots of trees and such. My folks down your direction have wrens this year. :0) (& Rita appreciates the mention….)

--Kay, I have especially appreciated all the bird sounds - and frog sounds - this year! Comforting to have them all being themselves in the midst of these surreal times. And, always happy to provide a wee laugh. Or even a smirk - we can use it all right now!

--Buffy, ever the naturalist, keenly observing the critter....;0) Rita was definitely wanting that peanut butter. If left to her own devices, she would weigh more than her 3 1/2 pounds!

- Robyn Hood Black

Apr 24, 2020 10:25 PM EDT

Robyn, what a fabulous post today. Of course, I loved the haiku and the video that you so generously offered to my gallery (thank you for the shoutout, too. I was so touched that you added the information to your post. And then you added your next darling tea time video poem dressed like a Southern Lady at tea. Yummy peanut butter talking.., Thanks for the fun.

- Carol Varsalona

Apr 24, 2020 11:51 PM EDT

Thanks so much, Carol - and thanks for ALL you do to celebrate and inspire with poetry - and imagery! You offer a lovely landing spot for so many folks to share words that resonate. :0)
(Glad you enjoyed a little poetic peanut butter mischief, too.) Have a great weekend!

- Robyn Hood Black

Apr 25, 2020 7:08 AM EDT

I already enjoyed your bird song video on Facebook and I love tea time with peanut butter and Rita. Looks like you're having fun and spreading poetry! What could be better? Thanks!

- Molly Hogan

Apr 25, 2020 7:40 AM EDT

I love your silly tea time with Rita! What a lucky girl to have a bit of peanut butter with you, even if it makes it hard for her to carry on a conversation. Our Smidgey girls like PB too, but cheese most of all. Loved your haiku as well. Thanks for all your offerings. :)

- Bridget Magee

Apr 25, 2020 9:05 AM EDT

--Thanks so much for checking out the poem movies, Molly! It's been a fun project this month. (I'm chuckling at your 'spread' image with the PB - ha!) Have a poetic weekend! :0)

--Happy you enjoyed, Bridget! Thanks for coming by. Give your doggies some Lowcountry love from us - and a piece of cheese!

- Robyn Hood Black

Apr 25, 2020 11:39 AM EDT

Love the poem haiku with the bluebird, especially since I've been watching a pair of bluebirds in my back yard. There is a nest with five eggs, and yesterday I watched the pair sitting on top of the house sharing a snack. Wish I could have gotten a picture! Now I'm off to check out your videos.

- Rose Cappelli

Apr 25, 2020 7:58 PM EDT

Your poem videos are entertaining and inspiring. I've done a few, but I'm not committing to make up every day, so that means no video each day. Your image haiku is beautiful. I am wishing for bluebirds, but in the meantime, enjoy the hummingbirds, a cardinal couple, and wood ducks.

- Margaret Simon

Apr 25, 2020 8:46 PM EDT

--Hi, Rose - Thanks so much for coming by! I read about your bluebirds yesterday somewhere, and I made a note to go visit them before this weekend's out - my kind of "tweeting"!

--Hi there, Margaret - many thanks. I've enjoyed your video-ing, too - whatever day you do it! (And, psst… I made a few of mine on the same day, actually - just with different locations and slight 'wardrobe' changes!) ;0) Have a great rest of the weekend!

- Robyn Hood Black

Apr 26, 2020 8:42 AM EDT

Fun post - thank you!

- Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com

Apr 26, 2020 9:43 AM EDT

—Thanks for popping in, Ruth, for a sip of silly tea! :0)

- Robyn Hood Black

Apr 26, 2020 10:37 AM EDT

That peanut butter poem is very cute, Robyn. We sat outside long past dusk listening to "the ebb and flow/of birdsong." It was the perfect way to end the day.

- Catherine Flynn

Apr 26, 2020 3:49 PM EDT

--Thanks, Catherine, and thanks for coming by! That DOES sound like the loveliest way to end a day. I am so appreciative of the birds this year!

- Robyn Hood Black

Poetry Friday - For the Birds this Week!

August 16, 2018

Tags: Poetry Friday, bird poetry, bird poems, Poetry, birds

Roseate spoonbills the color of sunset! (A wood stork is enjoying dusk as well.)

Greetings, Poetry Lovers - and Bird Lovers!

Our wonderful Round-up host today, Christie over at Wondering and Wondering, issued a call for bird poems for anyone so inclined. Oh, I am ALWAYS inclined for birds. I'm also a bit jealous about the educators workshop she participated in this summer with the Cornell bird folks in NY... Swoon!!!

We usually take our wee doggie Rita for a walk after dinner, sometimes around the neighborhood and sometimes on the Spanish Moss Trail at the end of our street. I'm always craning my neck (ha - meant to do that?!) to see who's out and about among the tree canopy, power lines, or marshes as the sun sinks toward the horizon.

A few nights ago, thinking about the Poetry Friday bird-theme, I had a couple of treats on our walk.

Here's the rather silly wordplay that sprouted from our sunset saunter:

Walking at Dusk, Tickled Pink

Woodpecker - pileated.

Spoonbills - roseate(d).

Birdwatcher me - très elated!

Those birds really ARE that pink, and they fish by swinging those curious bills horizontally back and forth along the surface of the water.

Find out more here, and then click over for more about those equally magnificent pileated woodpeckers.

In case you missed my post last week, there are several birds in it! I shared animal pictures from our Scotland/Ireland trip. Over at my art blog, I shared a bunch more trip pictures of animals in art, images, and other related curiosities. Check it out! :0)

Enjoy flocking over the the Roundup, and feathery thanks to Christie for the ornithological advenures in poetry! And, not sure this will work, but here is a link to a video I posted on Facebook featuring those spoonbills. :0)

20 Comments

Comments

Aug 16, 2018 8:09 PM EDT

Fun wordplay, Robyn! Looking forward to checking out your links.

- Linda

Aug 16, 2018 8:30 PM EDT

Clever little poem, Robyn. And what a strawberry milkshake treat!

- Kathryn Apel - katswhiskers.wordpress.com

Aug 16, 2018 8:33 PM EDT

Thanks, Linda - Happy Flocking! :0) .............................................................................................................................................................................. Kat - Ha! Strawberry milkshakes. They are all that with maybe some raspberry swirl mixed in, too! Thanks for coming by.

- Robyn Hood Black

Aug 16, 2018 10:47 PM EDT

Pink birds! I'd be elated, too! Do the spoonbills get their coloring from shrimp like flamingos do? I enjoyed looking at the pics on your art blog. The mummified cat and rat were a surprise! I appreciate your sharing your photos with those of us who won't be traveling far this summer.

- Diane Mayr

Aug 16, 2018 11:26 PM EDT

We spent time last summer on Captiva searching for the roseate spoonbills & never a sighting-boo hoo! Love that you had the pleasure & then wrote your clever poem. Happy birding, Robyn!

- Linda Baie

Aug 17, 2018 1:17 AM EDT

Fun poem(s) Robyn especially your last line. What gorgeous color the spoonbill has. Thanks for the link about them–interesting that they get their color from what they eat.

- Michelle Kogan

Aug 17, 2018 6:53 AM EDT

Thanks for flying along with the challenge this week, Robyn! While I've seen several pileateds during my woodland visits, the spoonbill will require me to head south. I'm game! What a stunner!

- Christie Wyman

Aug 17, 2018 8:11 AM EDT

That sunset with the pink birds in the pond makes me see them as bits of sunset, the twilight sky come to life. So glorious.

- Brenda Harsham

Aug 17, 2018 11:18 AM EDT

Hi, Diane - glad to share! Thanks for coming by here AND over at artsyletters. (..& evidently those pink wonders do get their coloring from what they spoon up to eat!) :0) ............................................................................................................................................................................. Linda, sorry you couldn't see these colorful creatures in person; come on down to the Lowcountry! :0) ............................................................................................................................................................................. Hi, Christie - you come on down, too! Thanks so much for hosting this week, and for the fun birds theme. .........................................................................................................................................................................…. Glad you enjoyed, Michelle - I can just see these beauties in one of your paintings! ............................................................................................................................................................................. Lovely description, Brenda - thanks for visiting and leaving your delectable words.

- Robyn Hood Black

Aug 17, 2018 11:40 AM EDT

Stunning view you have there!! Adorable poem. xo

- Tabatha

Aug 17, 2018 12:27 PM EDT

Thanks, Tabatha! That bridge on the trail is an easy mile walk from our doorstep. :0) We love it!

- Robyn Hood Black

Aug 17, 2018 2:33 PM EDT

Lovely photos! I enjoyed your playing with words, too!

- Ruth (thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com)

Aug 17, 2018 8:06 PM EDT

Love your word play!

- Kimberly M. Hutmacher

Aug 17, 2018 10:45 PM EDT

I loved your word play. I know we have spoonbills here in FL, but I've only seen one for a blip of a second driving down the road.

- Rebecca Herzog

Aug 18, 2018 6:42 AM EDT

Your poem tickled my fancy. So clever and succinct! I'd have been elated as well! Thanks for sharing the photo of those rosy beauties. How lucky you are to have them in your neck of the woods!

- Molly Hogan

Aug 18, 2018 7:59 PM EDT

What fun! I love the word play--and am quite jealous of the sights along you evening walk. Those birds are incredible.

- Kay Jernigan McGriff

Aug 19, 2018 10:04 AM EDT

Your poem is terrific, Robyn! Those spoonbills are stunning! Thank you for sharing your view with us!

- Catherine Flynn

Aug 23, 2018 1:45 PM EDT

Many thanks, all, for the lovely feedback! (& apologies for my neglect in responding back - some weeks are like that (!). But wishing beautiful sunsets to all, followed by new sunrises, of course.)

- Robyn Hood Black

Aug 29, 2018 10:04 PM EDT

Such a wonderful combination of image, caption, and poem. Your photo and the caption would fit very nicely in the sunset section of my summer gallery if you are interested in offering it with your poem or not.

- Carol Varsalona

Aug 30, 2018 8:07 AM EDT

Thank you, Carol! I'll see if I can get it sent to you if you still have room. :0)

- Robyn Hood Black