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

Greetings & Happy Mother's Day weekend! Extra hugs for those who have a hard time with this holiday. I actually flew south this weekend for a wee visit with my own mum.  See you next week, but be sure to check out the Poetry Friday Roundup hosted today by Sarah Grace Tuttle. (My phone is not letting me copy and paste the link, much less a hyperlink.) ;0)

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers!

 

We're still catching our breath after a whirlwind but joyous weekend, celebrating the wedding of our son Seth and his lovely bride, Ginnie.  Those two had made things official last November at the courthouse, but we had the ceremony and the fun to-do's around the I-do's from Friday to Sunday. 

 

Seth picked a poem to be read during the ceremony, and my hubby Jeff ended up doing the honors. He was familiar with this work. 

 

"For Marriage" by poet and priest John O'Donohue has been shared at many a wedding, if the internet is any indication.  I couldn't find an official link for it, so I'll just share a couple of the eight couplets, the fourth and fifth:

 

 

As kindly as moonlight might search the dark,
So gentle may you be when light grows scarce.

 

As surprised as the silence that music opens,
May your words for each other be touched with reverence.

 

 

O'Donohue was born in 1956 in County Clare, Ireland, and died suddenly and much too soon in 2008.  You can learn more about him and his work at his legacy website: https://www.johnodonohue.com/.  I haven't listened to this yet, but the public radio program On Being has a link to an interview originally aired in 2005 here, with a YouTube video here. 

 

The poem, the address by pastor Brian, the vows and other elements were moving and beautiful.  Another wedding moment that was charming beyond description was when our grandson Sawyer, two-going-on-three, served as ring bearer.  We had all been practicing, but one never knows. Parents Morgan and Matt were in the wedding party, so they dropped off Sawyer to sit with me as they processed in.  Just before his big part, I slipped a green velvet cape over his head and let him take the two rings from their box.  With a little encouragement launching him forward, Sawyer walked solemnly to the front and gave the rings to Uncle Seth and Aunt Ginnie.  All to the tune of "Concerning Hobbits" from Lord of the Rings playing over the sound system (Ginnie's doing). Precious!

 

Speaking of magical beings and Ireland and such, as I write this on Thursday, it's May Day!  The fairies have been whispering to me in recent months, and I've been looking all over our property trying to find the perfect place for a secret project - a fairy garden. I've been collecting items from a dollar store and from Amazon, and got to work with a wheelbarrow and tools this week, hiding my progress until today.  I hope the wee grands love it!  It was all - ahem - for them, of course.  Yep.  For the grandbabes. (There's a short little video on my artsyletters Instagram & Facebook pages).

 

It might be May, but you can still go back and enjoy this year's April/Poetry Month Kidlit Progressive Poem, which just ended its journey with oh-so-talented April this week at Teaching Authors. 

And be sure to catch this week's Poetry Friday Roundup, which has moved to A(nother) Year of Reading  with our wonderful Mary Lee!

 

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers!  As I type this on Thursday, it's rainy outside.  Lots of rain lately has been welcome; the recent Table Rock fires not far from us in upstate South Carolina are now 100 percent contained, and parts of the state park re-opened on Monday.  Even if I don't see rainbows outside, I feel them!

 

Rainbows are not confined to the sky, of course.  Our own Matt Forrest Essenwine went on a poetic rainbow hunt, and just look at what he brought back.  His new collection, A Universe of Rainbows - Multicolored Poems for a Multicolored World (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers), introduces young readers (and readers of all ages!) to rainbows all around us in both expected and surprising places, with poems by 20 luminous poets. Acclaimed illustrator Jamey Christoph brings the words to light and life in painterly digital images, a project that was more than a year in the making, according to his website. 

 

It's a perfect volume for Spring, for Poetry Month, and for wonder-seekers at any time of year.  There are many thoughtful blog posts celebrating this new anthology, and the book cast its colorful glow on Jama's Alphabet Soup just last Friday.  Matt happened to be the host for last week's Poetry Friday Roundup, and his post offers a beautiful tribute to Lee Bennett Hopkins, to whom the book is dedicated.  You'll also find a list of posts celebrating the anthology's launch, so you can go rainbow hopping! Of course, the best rainbow hopping happens in the book - from a cave in Patagonia to a mountain range in China to a star nursery in our galaxy to a collection of crystals in a window sill - maybe yours?

 

The Rainbow Keeper

 

by Irene Latham

 

There's a girl who loves brilliant things:

crystals, gemstones, diamond rings.

She digs them up, wipes them clean.

She asks them: what wonders have you seen?

She marvels at their varied colors -- 

periwinkle, lime, cyan, butter.

She sings to them of geometry, of heat.

She displays them on her bedroom window seat.

Crystals are her favorite find -- 

especially the broken kind.

Their way of speaking is to glimmer,

shimmer, SHINE!

How do they make their tiny rainbows?

only the Rainbow Keeper knows.

 

©Irene Latham.   Used with permission.

 

 

And if you've never made it to Colombia (I haven't), you can travel to a colorful river there:

 

 

Caño Cristales

 

by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

 

I'm a river in a rainbow.

I'm a rainbow in a river.

I ran away from Paradise.

(Or so do some believe.)

 

I glow in red and golden hues

but half the year I'm greens and blues.

I am a simple river

with a secret up my sleeve.

 

Color!

 

Today I'm rainbow poured in water.

Soon again I will be plain

magnificent and ordinary

as I carry crystal rain.

 

We each are much more than we seem.

Allow yourself, my child, to dream.

 

 

©Amy Ludwig VanDerwater. Used with permission.

 

 

Each poem (several of which shine through particular poetic forms!) is presented with an unobtrusive, reader-friendly scientific sidebar.  At the end of the book, you'll find resources for every rainbow included as well as a glossary.

 

Thank you to Eerdmans Books for Young Readers for sending me a copy of this shimmering book! And thanks to Irene Latham and Amy Ludwig VanDerwater for allowing me to share their poems.  And of course, thanks to Matt Forrest Essenwine for bringing all these colors out of his his imagination and into these fine poems!

 

Speaking of Irene, rainbow-hop over to Live Your Poem for this week's Roundup.  Remember to follow the Kidlit Progressive Poem (see last week's post) and visit Jama's Alphabet Soup again for a Roundup of all-things-Poetry-Month in the Kidlitosphere. 

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers! As I write this on Thursday evening, it's been a bit of a surreal day.  March 27 marks the 6-month anniversary of Helene slamming into this region, causing most of the storm's 248 deaths (across six states) and much of the $78 billion dollars in damages.  Maybe you saw Good Morning America broadcasting from Asheville Thursday morning. 

 

We were hit by the storm here in northern South Carolina, but our family was all okay, and our house was spared.  We lost dozens of trees, and there is a view of a little ridge where we once saw only woods.  Despite having massive mounds of tree debris removed from our long driveway, the wooded areas of our property are still full of fallen and leaning (and extremely dry) trees. It's that way everywhere in upstate South Carolina and in Western North Carolina.  It's estimated that Helene damaged 210,000 acres of forest in South Carolina, and more than 800,000 in North Carolina. 

 

Which brings us to this week, and the fires you've probably seen in the news. The ones in NC are massive (attributed to downed power lines), but they are starting to get some containment over there.  The fires near us in SC - The Table Rock Complex Fire -  are still at zero percent containment, and fire fighters and other personnel have been working valiantly in difficult conditions, doing much by hand.  Downed trees from Helene have prevented getting in big equipment on the ground.  The largest fire was started by negligence (teenagers smoking). [Friday update:  The Table Rock Complex Fire is now well over 10,000 acres taken together, the largest ever in the Upstate.  But federal resources are here now, too, so that's good. And on a personal note, the wind is not pushing it our direction today.]

 

Table Rock is a special place for my hubby and me, as he proposed up there when we were seniors at Furman!  Year before last, to mark the 40th anniversary of that occasion, we hiked it once again.  This time, we went all the way to the top!  (It's about 3 1/2 miles UP - so, 7 miles total and challenging with rock faces.  I was proud of us.) While there, we could see evidence from a large wildfire from 2016.

 

We now live about 15 miles from Table Rock as the crow flies, 20 to drive.  Turns out we're even closer to the other fire, the Persimmon Ridge Fire. It's about 7 miles away as the crow flies, and we're maybe 5 miles from the evacuated area for that one. My neighbors and I have been nervous as this week has unfolded, as winds have been fierce and humidity levels have been dangerously low.  I've been concerned that even if the big fires stay where they are, it wouldn't take a lot for any kind of fire to ignite the tinder we all have around us. 

 

Friday should bring a slight rise in humidity levels, but still Red Flag Warnings, and Sunday is supposed to bring oh-so-welcome rain. After a few days of off-and-on oppressive smoke (and even some falling ash), we are all ready for some improvement. I did photograph our whole house and contents, and we've got "go bags," and I've got the photo albums gathered, though we really should be fine this far down.

 

On Tuesday morning, I walked less than a mile from our house and snapped the top two pictures from my phone (zoomed in).  The bottom picture is at the same spot on Wednesday, at sunset, from my car.

 

I wanted to share something mountain-themed for today, and I hope you'll excuse me if I needed something light-hearted.

 

I found this little gem in the Home and School Reciter and Entertainer by The Rev. Henry Davenport Northrop (Philadelphia, National Publishing Company, 1904).

 

 

 

THE MOUNTAIN AND THE SQUIRREL

 

 

The mountain and the squirrel

      Had a quarrel,

      And the former called the latter "little prig;"

    Bun replied: --

  "You are doubtless very big,

 

  "But all sorts of things and weather

    Must be taken in together

    To make up a year

    And a sphere;

 

   "And I think it no disgrace

     To occupy my place.

     If I am not as large as you,

     You are not so small as I.

     And not half so spry.

 

   "I'll not deny you make

         A very pretty squirrel track;

     Talents differ; all are well and wisely put.

        If I cannot carry forests on my back.

     Neither can you crack a nut."

 

 

The talented and generous Marcie Flinchum Atkins has our Roundup this week.  Thanks, Marcie!

Can you believe Poetry Month starts next week??!  I've got next Thursday's line in the Progressive Poem! 

Quick wave - it's been a lively week and I did not get a post rustled up in the midst of it.  But please treat yourself to the Roundup over at Imagine the Possibilities, where our lovely Rose has a couple of classics to delight and an original with a twist! Happy Spring.

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers!  I'm waving from the land of fairies and fables today.  I've been taking an online gel plate printing mixed media course with Tara Axford through Fibre Arts Take Two, a very dangerous destination for many of you fellow studio mess and magic makers - consider yourself warned.  Anyway, the courses are amazing; FATT is based in Australia primarily, but instructors and students come from every corner of the globe. 

 

I've dabbled in this form a bit before, but I've so enjoyed this very organized, challenging, and inspiring deep dive.  The portion of the course with the instructor regularly popping into a private Facebook Live group is now past, but I'm still making my way through remaining modules.  FATT course materials and their gorgeously executed videos are available to access for life. 

 

Anyway, at one point we were experimenting with botanicals, which I enjoyed much more than I would have anticipated.  Some of these prints especially surprise with an ethereal quality I'm hoping to master a bit  more. On a morning walk with my dog at Furman last week - one of those crisp, bright days on the cusp of Spring -  I pocketed some lovely vinca growing wild off of a trail in the woods.  I made several prints with these in different configurations, and the one above seemed to suggest a fairy to me with the way the leaves presented themselves at the bottom. 

 

So with some minor contributions from pen and ink and colored pencil, I went with it. ;0) I also found some fairy references in an antique children's magazine, which I copied on my home printer onto vellum paper, to keep the old look.  I found a fairy-sized "poem" of sorts in a story and cut it out to complement the print. (The words are from "How Quercus Alba went to Explore the Underworld, and What Came of It," I believe by Jane Andrews. It was published in Our Young Folks - An Illustrated Magazine for Boys and Girls, Ticknor and Fields, Boston, 1868.)

 

the fairies are working

           painting flowers and

             delicate things

 

I hope to continue working, making more images of "flowers and delicate things," as the Fey direct.

 

I'm also working on my annual contributions for Core Essentials Values, a national character education program. (Was that a soft deadline whooshing by?  Shhhh....)  A couple of years ago, soemthing new was added to my assignments, after a collaborative meeting when I tossed the idea - fables!  For two years these have appeared in a book form, but for next year, they will be digital.  I'm not exactly sure what that will look like, but I'm excited to see.

 

I always revisit classic fables and commentary when I sit down to conjure up my modern ones (featuring animals I've already chosen to represent each month's value). The ones I write are far less dark than traditional fables! Anyway, recently I came across these words below from International Collectors Library about their 1968 Aesop's Fables, Based on the Translation of George Fyler Townsend. I found these assertions quite timely.  

 

   In his perceptive introductory essay, Isaac Bashevis Singer writes:  "Aesop's fables teach lessons both in life and literature that are valid today and will remain so forever.  Thousands of years ago he pointed out that no change in system can do away with the aggressor, the liar, the flatterer, the intriguer, the exploiter, the parasite.... Aesop's fables mock all the illusions of the 'new man.' His lions, wolves, foxes, and hares will outlive all the social systems."

 

Sigh. Maybe so, but I'll still keep reaching for the light. 

 

Our wonderful Janice is shining the light on the best of human nature over at Salt City Verse, where she's hosting the Roundup.  Thank you, Janice!!

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers! On Monday, I was delighted to participate in on online poetry reading with other contributors to IF I COULD CHOOSE A BEST DAY - Poems of Possibility,  the newest collection from the power-poetry team of Irene Latham and Charles Waters.  It's hot off the press this week from Candlewick Press and features joyoful illustrations by Olivia Sua.  Each poem of this uplifting anthology begins with the word, "If."

 

Thanks to those of you who tuned in! What an honor to be part of the group of readers and teachers, students, and poetry fans for an hour, celebrating Read Across America Day.  The event was hosted by  The Writing Barn. 

 

Irene and Charles asked me to write a poem on the theme of peace.

 

 

 

A Glimmer of Peace

 

 

 

If you spin

 

your silky dreams,

 

then  

 

    wait

 

       breathe -

 

let peace unfurl

 

moonshimmer wings

 

 

©Robyn Hood Black

 

 

Though this book was several years in the making, I think the timing of its release is most welcome. 

 

Personally, it was interesting to revisit this little poem of mine this week, as the day after the reading, I was in downtown Greenville participating in a peaceful protest.  Hadn't done that sort of thing in a while!

 

Wishing you a peaceful Poetry Friday and beyond.  

 

Our wonderful Margaret has the Roundup this week at Reflections on the Teche.  How was Mardi Gras, Margaret? :0)

 

Howdy - Quick Wave today as I'm on the road! Just a reminder that Monday will find myself and others gathering for a free reading of Irene & Charles's wonderful new collection, IF I COULD CHOOSE A BEST DAY. Registration details are here. Denise has this week's Poetry Friday Roundup today here; thank you, Denise!  And she has some poetic thoughts on Liberty. (Speaking of which, I plan to show up for a local protest by an Indivisible group on Tuesday, March 4.  You might see if there's one in your area if you're interested!) Take good care & see you soon, Robyn

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers - I'm feeling overwhelmed this week at the dismantling of our country, and now, the blowing up of 80 years of American leadership on the global stage. Initially I was heartbroken for the millions of hungry and hurting children and others abandoned with the gutting of USAID, and the many here who are suffering/will suffer from reckless, unnecessary, and just plain stupid cuts and policies, not to mention misinformation/disinformation.  Reform is one thing; fine - but the glee and inherent cruelty of the complete destruction of what's held us up for almost two and half-centuries is something else entirely. And now the President has changed sides in a war and turned his back on our allies. How does one measure the loss of trust? Billions, trillions, of dollars doesn't touch it. 

 

 

 

breaking news breaking everything

 

 

©Robyn Hood Black

 

 

I know many of us are calling and some are marching.  A streamlined way to contact elected leaders for any zip code is through 5 Calls.  My hubby directed me to their phone app which makes it even easier.  Remember to leave your full street address if you have to leave a message, so your call will be counted for that day. And remember to be kind to the person on the other end, who must be fielding all kinds of strong emotions with every answered call. 

 

The amazing and thoughtful Laura Purdie Salas has our Roundup this week; thank you, Laura!

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers!  Happy Valentine's Day.  I'm delighted to share the love today... for a brand new poetry collection from the I&C Construction Company, better known as Irene Latham and Charles Waters. IF I COULD CHOOSE A BEST DAY - Poems of Possibility officially blooms on March 4, but I received a contributor's copy this week.  Squee!  This new volume from Candlewick Press offers 31 poems (all beginning with the word 'if') celebrating possibility, soaring on the wings of imagination and hope.  (See the publisher's page and purchasing links here.) Colorful cut-paper illustrations by Olivia Sua are full of heart and bring the words to life.

 

I don't know about you, but I can sure use an anthology like this about now.  The collection celebrates possibility in all its beautiful colors, with diversity among poets and in the words and heart-warming images. The book's title comes from the title of a wonderful poem by award-winning poet and writer Lisa Rogers. (And it makes me wonder, what would YOUR best day include?  Hmmm....)

 

Irene and Charles have included poems by several familiar Poetry Friday folks, as well as some classic poems and works by superstars Joseph Bruchac, Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Georgia Heard, Nikki Grimes, and Janet Wong, among others (see above). I'm delighted to have a short poem, "A Glimmer of Peace,"  in the last section, "Anything is Possible." I'll share it in a couple of weeks.

 

In the meantime, here's just a morsel or two from the book to whet your appetite. 

 

In "What Kind of Word is If?" Georgia Heard begins:

 

If is a wise word, 

a wishing word,

  a winged word

  that flies in the blue

  sky of hope.

 

I didn't add them up, but the number of poems in this book (including mine) which feature birds, wings, and flight would be a high percentage!

 

It would very hard to pick favorites, but some of the poems which particularly sparked magic for me include Sarah Grace Tuttle's "The Rock," Gabi Snyder's "Blue Bike," and Guadalupe García McCall's "If I Were a Bookworm."  BUT - they're all wonderful.  As Irene and Charles write, "Every child has spent minutes, days, years in the land of "if."

 

(And many of us have never quite migrated from there!)

 

An Emily Dickinson poem is included in "The Power of You" section, and I think its spirit pulses from cover to cover of this anthology.

 

 

If I can stop one Heart from breaking

I shall not live in vain

If I can ease one Life the Aching

Or cool one Pain

 

Or help one fainting Robin

Unto his Nest again

I shall not live in Vain.

 

 

Amen, Emily, and thanks to Charles and Irene (and Olivia Sua and the Candlewick team) for offering this gift to the world.  It's been many years in the making, but the timing seems perfect.

 

But wait - there's more!  The Writing Barn, along with Irene and Charles, are hosting a free poetry reading with 17 poets from the book in celebration of Read Across America Day.  Registration info and details can be found here.  

 

For lots of poetry love this week, head over to TeacherDance, where our amazing and generous Linda has the Roundup.  Happy Heart Day, Linda!