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

Oct 30, 2014 5:01 PM EDT

"Listen to the bursting milkweed pod" I like how she has used a very fall-like image, but one that is not often recognized. We have pods all over at this time of year, but we rarely note them because they quickly become raggedy and empty.

- Diane Mayr

Oct 30, 2014 6:18 PM EDT

How does she do it? I ask in a whining voice! October just bursts in poetry doesn't it? It is so lovely, Robyn, & I don't believe I've ever seen it, so thank you. You are fortunate to know the Spinellis! I love the first two lines best, "listen to the laughter/spilling from the pumpkin patch". Isn't it just true!

- Linda Baie

Oct 30, 2014 7:17 PM EDT

Ah, thank you both. This is the most perfect poem for bidding adieu to this enchanting month. xxoo

- Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

Oct 30, 2014 7:43 PM EDT

Yes, Robyn,
You've captured it. I think anyone who has the opportunity to know Eileen Spinelli feels really blessed. All of her poetry is beautifully up-lifting.
Just,
"listen to the laughter" or
"the noisy twilight geese,"
what beautiful lines,
filled with hope and blessings.
She is a wonder.

- Joy Acey

Oct 31, 2014 3:54 AM EDT

So envious that you've met the Spinellis! Love Eileen's poem -- I can't believe October is over . . .

- jama

Oct 31, 2014 6:03 AM EDT

Diane - thanks for coming by! (I've been asking myself that 'How does she do it?" question a LONG time. Just so thrilled that she does!)

Hi, Amy - bittersweet goodbye for probably my favorite month! Eileen captures it perfectly.

Joy - I love those noisy twilight geese, too! And I've sure loved being able to immerse myself in poetry up at Highlights, with Eileen and with you!

Happy Halloween, Jama - I think they cook a lot of big family meals up there; bet you could slip right in - with Mr. Cornelius too! (And, I know - sniff sniff - re. October.)

- Robyn Black

Oct 31, 2014 8:59 AM EDT

Eileen's poem, "October Melody," is the perfect ending for the last day in October. From the beginning lines to the last ones, she has captured the beauty of the month. I've admired some of her work before. I'm glad you shared this lovely poem with us. Thank you.

- Patricia Cruzan

Oct 31, 2014 9:46 AM EDT

Sigh-worthy indeed! Her words are the perfect treat to end October! Thanks, Robyn.

- Penny Parker Klostermann

Oct 31, 2014 9:47 AM EDT

Dear Robyn,
I am happy, happy, happy to be a part of your cozy
October blog.Thank you for inviting me. The kind comments made my day. I have the biggest smile. xo

- Eileen

Oct 31, 2014 10:06 AM EDT

Robyn, first of all your dogs are smashingly attired for the Halloween trick or treaters. Secondly, the poem you chose is such a magnificent closure poem for the month. It captures the essence of October as the peak month of autumn. Eileen's words ring with October's sounds so today I need to sit and listen before the costumed characters come marching to my door.

- Carol Varsalona (@cvarsalona)

Oct 31, 2014 12:00 PM EDT

Patricia, thanks so much for coming by and for leaving such thoughtful comments. I even love the title of this poem - "October Melody" - and its call to listen!

Happy Halloween, Penny! Thank you for visiting. Glad you could come by to enjoy a special Eileen Spinelli treat!

Dear Guest of Honor, we are so happy you joined us! Thank you for sharing the perfect poem. You've made lots of people smile today!

Carol, thanks for dropping in and for the lovely observations. I so often think of "seeing" (fall colors) or "feeling" (cool breezes) with my favorite fall month, and I love that Eileen has us all listening, too! Enjoy your trick-or-treaters.

- Robyn Black

Oct 31, 2014 2:27 PM EDT

Love the refrain "Listen..." Yes, we should all listen - every day. Eileen is a gem among gems. Thanks for sharing her poem, Robyn. Happy Halloween! =)

- Bridget Magee

Oct 31, 2014 6:18 PM EDT

Happy Halloween, Bridget! Eileen is one who is always listening, isn't she? Thanks for dropping by!

- Robyn Black

Nov 01, 2014 4:34 AM EDT

I *did* sigh when I came to the end of Eileen's poem -- how did you know? October's music has been delightful...I'm sorry to see it end.

Your dogs look marvelous!

- Tabatha

Nov 01, 2014 4:10 PM EDT

Yep. Sigh worthy for sure. Thanks for sharing this one.

- Doraine Bennett

Nov 01, 2014 5:28 PM EDT

Tabatha - because we have the same sigh-o-meter. ;0) Thank you for stopping in! (& the doggies say thanks.)

Hi, Doraine - great to see your lovely name! Glad you enjoyed Eileen's poem, ushering us from one month to the next.

- Robyn Black

Oct 30, 2014 9:48 AM EDT

Many, many thanks to all who came by and left such sparkly comments. I apologize for not responding to each one! We had a great weekend of traveling, and then I just got swamped with catching up on our return. Happy last couple of days of October!

- Robyn Black

Oct 23, 2014 9:08 PM EDT

Ah Robert Frost. I live in a country where october is just rain, but still this poems makes me love my favorite month even more.

- Gathering Books

Oct 24, 2014 1:57 AM EDT

"Slow, Slow! For the grapes' sake, if they were all," It is a glorious month. Thanks for sharing some of the place where your son is-sounds wonderful.

- Linda Baie

Oct 24, 2014 4:07 AM EDT

We really can't read this poem too much, Robyn! "Thy leaves have ripened to the fall" -- sigh. Frost captures the delicate balance of an autumn day so well.

- Tabatha

Oct 24, 2014 4:18 AM EDT

Hello, Dear Myra - thanks for coming over, and wishing you a wonderful (if wet) favorite month on the other side of the world!

Linda - that's such a perfect line; we have to slow down so much to read it. Thanks for the kind thoughts for Seth; he's in his element!

Hi, Tabatha - true. I'd never tire of this poem. Hope your October is glorious. :0)

- Robyn Black

Oct 24, 2014 4:22 AM EDT

"Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,/ should waste them all." Yeah, never too much Frost! Enjoy your weekend.

- Doraine Bennett

Oct 24, 2014 4:37 AM EDT

What a delicious line, Doraine - thanks for popping over! Enjoy your weekend, too.

- Robyn Black

Oct 24, 2014 5:15 AM EDT

Enjoyed reading this one again. I seem to get something new from it each time. I like the sentiment of slowing things down, to make the season last, one leaf falling in the morning, and a leaf from far away. Beautiful! Brings back fond memories of visiting Frost Place a few years back.

- jama

Oct 24, 2014 5:37 AM EDT

I've been rediscovering Frost too. I love "release a leaf." Thanks for sharing this and for sharing your family.

- Liz

Oct 24, 2014 5:59 AM EDT

Jama, as is often then case, we're on the same wavelength. I really responded to the slowing down this time, too - probably because I've had to in recent weeks! ;0)

Hi, Liz! Thanks for coming over. "Release a leaf" - a bit haiku-ish, n'est-ce pas?

- Robyn Black

Oct 24, 2014 6:42 AM EDT

"Release one leaf at break of day" -- I can see that image. Beautiful.

- Laura Shovan @AuthorAmok

Oct 24, 2014 9:00 AM EDT

Robyn, thanks for showcasing Frost's poem for this line is so beautiful: "Enchant the land with amethyst." That is what fall does in a slow process that keeps our eyes riveted. I hope you consider combining a poem and photo for the Finding Fall Gallery. I think the photo you presented on your blog is a great representation of the various shades of fall.

- Carol Varsalona (@cvarsalona)

Oct 24, 2014 9:22 AM EDT

Robert Frost is one of my favorite poets. He captures the idea of fall so well. Thanks for sharing this great poem.

- Patricia Cruzan

Oct 24, 2014 10:24 AM EDT

Love this one. Then again, I love most of Frost's work! (In fact, I just completed a tribute poem to him - a 'golden shovel,' thanks to Laura Shovan) Thanks for sharing, Robyn...and enjoy these shorter days!

- Matt Forrest Esenwine

Oct 24, 2014 10:43 AM EDT

Never can have too much Frost (unless you are referring to the frozen stuff on the ground). Thanks for sharing October on this October morning. =)

- Bridget Magee

Oct 24, 2014 2:50 PM EDT

I love this poem! Thanks for posting it. Have a great time at your reunion!

- Linda

Oct 24, 2014 4:17 PM EDT

I think I will spend the rest of October repeating these lines:
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow.
Thanks for sharing this gem, Robyn.

- Tara

Oct 24, 2014 5:16 PM EDT

"Oh hushed October morning..."

Cathy

- Cathy

Oct 24, 2014 8:37 PM EDT

Just introduced to this poem this fall, and I've bumped into it over and over - I never tire of its message. "Begin the hours of this day slow." Such lovely words - they fit right in with my OLW for the year - savor. Like Tara and others, I love those opening words: "Oh hushed October morning mild..."

- Ramona

Oct 25, 2014 3:18 AM EDT

Ah...Best way to start my trip through the roundup! It's been a gorgeous October and I agree with Frost -- slow down, Most Wonderful of All the Months!!

- Mary Lee Hahn

Oct 25, 2014 5:17 AM EDT

I don't think anyone captures Fall better than Robert Frost. Like several other commenters, I'm trying to slow down and savor all of this golden wonder, remembering that it is so brief. Thank you…

- Carol

Oct 25, 2014 10:26 AM EDT

Forst's words captivate our fall. The wind is wild as I write. Thank you.

- Jone

Oct 25, 2014 4:39 PM EDT

I love this. My favorite line is "Hearts not averse to being beguiled..."

- Ruth (thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com)

Oct 26, 2014 10:07 AM EDT

Thanks for sharing Frost's poem. It so completely captures October.

- Penny Parker Klostermann

Oct 17, 2014 4:38 AM EDT

Thanks for stopping by the roundup this morning, Robyn, and especially for your 5-word ditty that made my day! I'm glad to hear you're doing much better, and enjoying life and art at a slower, take-your-time pace.

- Michelle Heidenrich Barnes

Oct 17, 2014 10:34 AM EDT

Glad to hear that you are starting to feel better, Robyn.

- Tara

Oct 17, 2014 1:53 PM EDT

Looking forward to seeing the results of your studio time!

- Tabatha

Oct 18, 2014 1:35 PM EDT

Glad to hear you're on the mend Robyn and spending more time in the studio. I think I was supposed to badger...er encourage you about a certain submission a while back, but I did not when I heard of your injury. Should I put my bugging...er rallying cap on?

- Buffy Silverman

Oct 18, 2014 2:26 PM EDT

Michelle, thanks for coming by and for being a perfectly horrifying host this week!

Tara - thanks so much!

Tabatha - Thanks to you, too - and I hope to egg new items listed in my Etsy shop starting this week. :0)

Buffy - very kind of you. Let's see... Give me another week or two, then please harass away. ;0)

- Robyn Black

Oct 09, 2014 8:46 PM EDT

Robyn, it is wonderful to see young poets gracefully craft words to uncover meaning. Here Grace allows us insight into her thoughts as she allows her voice to take flight.

- Carol Varsalona

Oct 10, 2014 4:33 AM EDT

Hi, Carol! Lovely description - thank you for coming over.

- Robyn Black

Oct 10, 2014 5:14 AM EDT

I enjoyed Grace's haiku very much! She uses a delicate hand to make bright observations. "Crescent moon" might be my favorite. :-)

- Tabatha

Oct 10, 2014 5:25 AM EDT

Tabatha, Hello! And you provided another lovely description of Grace's work. :0) Thanks for joining in for this year's bright young featured writers.

- Robyn Black

Oct 10, 2014 6:28 AM EDT

Wow! Grace is an amazing poet! Her frog haiku resonates with me (perhaps because they are "so loud"?) Thanks for sharing the "Haiku Student Poet of the Month" series again, Robyn. = )

- Bridget Magee

Oct 10, 2014 7:48 AM EDT

The poems are all interesting, but I'm partial to the one that describes the "lick of light." Thanks again for posting, Robyn.

- Patricia Cruzan

Oct 10, 2014 8:02 AM EDT

They are brilliant. My favorite is the frog one, the way she talks about silence being loud is genius.

- Catherine Johnson

Oct 10, 2014 9:20 AM EDT

These are all very lovely, wonderful observations! love skylight and the sky --- that "lick of light" is a refreshing surprise. :)

- jama

Oct 10, 2014 10:42 AM EDT

Fabulous! She really has the knack for true haiku. What a treat. Thanks for promoting this and congratulations!

- Andromeda Jazmon

Oct 10, 2014 10:50 AM EDT

Bridget, Hi - and thanks for coming over! I think that frog one is great.

Hello, Patricia - we have the same taste this week! Glad you enjoyed and thanks for visiting.

Catherine, don't these young writers amaze with what they notice/express? Ideas that are not necessarily hidden, but might be overlooked? Thanks for chiming in.

Jama, glad you enjoyed. I love refreshing surprises, don't you?

Hi, Andi - appreciate your coming by, and glad you like these student haiku. It's a treat for me to share them!

- Robyn Black

Oct 10, 2014 11:21 AM EDT

Wow, what amazing haiku! I was especially drawn in by the "late autumn" and the "lick of light" ones. Grace has a natural gift for observation and reflection--and, to think she is only 15. She's got the true heart of a haiku poet, that is for sure. Absolutely fantastic. :)

- Gisele LeBlanc

Oct 10, 2014 1:42 PM EDT

You're right, I have been patiently waiting. And of course, you did not disappoint. :) Grace is a talented young poet. I was particularly drawn to "late autumn" and "the sky."

- Michelle Heidenrich Barnes

Oct 10, 2014 3:35 PM EDT

I always love your guest poets, Robyn. Thank you. Each one is a little gift, & this time, I love the one about the frogs and silence of the night. Just once I got to be in a place in spring with the peepers starting their sounds, just awesome. This reminded me of that time.

- Linda Baie

Oct 10, 2014 3:56 PM EDT

Greetings, Gisele - thanks so much for coming over and joining in. Grace is quite the gifted poet, for sure!

Michelle, so glad you hung around til we kicked off this year's series! Thank you. Isn't "late autumn" wonderful? Easy to see why it was an HSA award winner.

Linda, always thrilled when you join the party! Glad you enjoy the works of these young writers. I know you have a discerning eye and ear. In our new home, we've discovered that after a heavy rain, when the jungle-y lot behind our house becomes a swamp ("waterfront property" jokes the hubby), there are zillions of frogs all filling up the otherwise quiet night!

- Robyn Black

Oct 12, 2014 2:09 AM EDT

Oh, to be a poet who gets to live in Druid Hills!

I love all of her poems, but (for obvious reasons) I'm especially drawn to her fly fishing poems!

- Mary Lee Hahn

Oct 12, 2014 10:39 AM EDT

Mary Lee, thanks for coming by. Yes, you're the perfect person to enjoy those fly fishing haiku! ;0)

- Robyn Black

Oct 12, 2014 1:52 PM EDT

Grace really does have the haiku touch. They're all such succinct portraits of moments we need to remember. I do like the skylight haiku. It's true that lying beneath a skylight makes one feel like blending with the stars. Thank you for hosting students who love poetry!

- Joyce Ray

Oct 14, 2014 6:54 PM EDT

Joyce - so great to see your name! Thanks for joining in to celebrate Grace's poetry and sharing your thoughts. :0)

- Robyn Black

Oct 15, 2014 8:03 AM EDT

Hi, Robyn! Just wanted to make sure you got my email concerning Cattails? If not, please drop me a note! :)

- Gisele LeBlanc

Oct 03, 2014 3:41 AM EDT

Robyn, I love you. October and PF snuck up on me, too. xo

- Irene Latham

Oct 03, 2014 6:52 AM EDT

Oh, I love you too, Irene! Remember, I'm the friend who went Christmas shopping all day last year wearing one black boot, one brown boot... ;0)

- Robyn Black