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

Another week as a signpost - I LOVED hosting last week!  It had been a while since I rounded up all you wonderful poetic peeps.  This week I got myself behind with a writing deadline (shocker), so I'm just waving and pointing - I'm sure Janice will have something inspiring at Salt City Verse; enjoy visiting all the poetic bloggie goodness! 

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers!  I'm honored to be hosting Poetry Friday this week.  Please leave your links & descriptions in the comments below, and I'll round them up old-school-style throughout the day.

 

Happy Mother's Day weekend!  Let's acknowledge right out of the gate that this is a tough time for many.  If you are missing your mother, or you have lost a child, or you've had a less-than-ideal relationship as a mother or a child, or if you are longing to be a mother and it hasn't worked out, you are wished comfort and peace this weekend.

 

I'm feeling beyond grateful that our daughter, Morgan, is experiencing her first Mother's Day this year. (She only missed it by a couple-few weeks last year, as our wee Sawyer is 11 months old.)  This precious boy was wanted for a long time, after a few hard years of empty arms and fertility treatments.  Hats off to any woman willing to go through all those long needles for months and months and months or more.

 

I'm also beyond grateful that my spunky 84-year-old mother, Nita, a cancer survivor among other challenges, is doing well and has been able to love on Sawyer herself - most recently in the snapshot above from April.  (The black and white photos were taken last fall.) While Jeff & I are closer to our kiddos after our recent move, I'm afraid Florida, where my folks live, is down a longer stretch of road now.  But kudos to Mom who, despite vision problems, has learned how to text and enjoy (almost daily) pictures and videos of baby antics. 

 

Here's my poem for today, a haiku written not long after Sawyer was born:

 

 

new mother's whisper

the strength

of spider silk 

 

Frogpond, Vol. 45, No. 3 Autumn 2022

 

©Robyn Hood Black

 

 

In other poetry news, I'm enjoying The Father Goose Treasury of Poetry by Charles Ghigna and illustrated by Sara Brezzi (Schiffer Kids, just out).  Gorgeous!  And that's a feat worth celebrating, having a body of work large enough to comb through to make a treasury, am I right?  This is a great volume to share among generations. In case you missed it, our lovely Jama posted a fulsome interview with Charles and peeks inside the book over at Jama's Alphabet Soup here. 

 

May is a super-busy month, I know.  Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all you educators! Also, take care of yourself and appreciate National Mental Health Month, and thanks to folks like my hubby who devote their professional lives to improving mental health for others. 

 

So, what's going on in your realm this week? (Yes, I did wake up at 5 a.m. to watch the coronation last Saturday!) I can't wait to read what you've got to share. 

 

(Unrelated PS - For those who follow artsyletters, I posted some in-progress new studio pics over at artsyletters.com here. I'll do a 'tour' when I get a little more together!)

 

* * * * * * * * THE ROUNDUP * * * * * * * * 

 

Janice Scully starts us off with a haiku and an appreciation for the timing of blooming things - her lilacs are in full purple glory here at Salt City Verse. Happy Spring!

 

Over at Chicken Spaghetti, Susan has a beautiful cento created from the poetry of Gabriela Mistral, presented in Spanish and English with her original translations.

 

At Small Reads for Brighter Days, Laura has a day-brightening and sigh-worthy poetryaction (say that out loud & learn more at her site!) to the picture book Milo Imagines the World. 

 

Linda has two bright and springy original haiku and a padlet link to her charming triolet (all writers will relate!) at A Word Edgewise today.  One of these days, Linda and I are going to collage together in person....

 

You will leave anything BUT blue if you wing it on over to Jama's Alphabet Soup for a serving of Sidney Wade's poem, "Blue."  (I am loving all these poetic encounters with birds this morning.  Though I had my alarm set a little early because I was hosting PF, it was really a Carolina Wren on the fence outside my bedroom window which got me up today....)

 

No one can accuse our Tabatha of not branching out into many magical (and sometimes wild) directions. At The Opposite of Indifference , she's celebrating originality with lyrics from "Crooked Tree" with a video of Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway.  (She also has a snippet from the brand new Poetry Out Loud winner as a bonus!)

 

Our multi-talented Michelle Kogan chimes in with a gorgeous original oil painting detail and some more poetic bird-love (an original 4X4 poem) celebrating Mother's Day.

 

Three cheers for Catherine at Reading to the Core for forging ahead toward the finish line of her April/Poetry Month project with poems of hope featuring the letters "v" and "w"!  That's my kind of timeline, btw... I particularly love her golden shovel today, inspired by lines from GMH I have hanging up in my house.

 

At Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme, Matt stumbled upon some buried treasure in his files - an original five-year-old poem that packs some Springtime punch in just four lines and 12 words! Bravo.

 

Rose has a tribute to dogs over at Imagine the Possibilities, with some lines from the incomparable Mary Oliver and a thoughtful original poem. (Warning - have a tissue handy; I am still grieving the sudden loss of our wee Rita and did not make it through the post dry-eyed.  Thank you for putting so much of what we love about dogs in these words, Rose.)

 

Keep the tissue handy.  Linda at Teacher Dance has collected and shared responses of kindnesses noted by many of you recently at her blog (and new folks are always welcome to the Poetry Friday table - and folks who have had to be dipping in and out, like yours truly this Spring!). Kindness itself is poetry, isn't it?  Go fill your cup!

 

Why do you write?  Dave tackles this question by responding with an original poem over at Leap of Dave and shares a bit about a local poetry workshop he participates in. 

 

Give a nod to Edward Lear and then head over to see Sally for a quick celebration of Limerick Day!  Sally's post might be concise, but she's been long on sharing poetry goodness with young writers and readers this week.

 

Cue the CONFETTI - lots of it!  Marcie Flinchum Atkins has not one, but TWO amazing-sounding book publication announcements this week!  One is for a nonfiction nature picture book, and the other is for a historical verse novel about an activist in the women's suffrage movement. Way to go, Marcie!  She also shares a Spring haiku and some lovely pictures of blooms... I'd like to gather up all of this week's PF flower pictures in a garden, and all of this week's PF birds to flitter around them. 

 

Speaking of birds, you know Amy is always finding amazing things at The Poem Farm, and she carries that spirit of noticing when she travels, too, as she did while traveling to visit a school this week. "We can each be a beauty detective," she says.  Enjoy her fetching feathered foto and original poem - dare you not to smile. 

 

At Bookseed Studio, enjoy Jan's latest post wrapping up Poetry Month.  I'm always inspired by the wonder that is Jan. 

 

Over at My Juicy Little Universe, you'll encounter Heidi exploring what it is like to be a bat, with a nod to one of my fave recent books about the animal realm, Ed Yong's An Immense World. You'll also encounter the word 'azimuth' in her original poem, which I had to look up. ;0) Don't ask me to tell you what it means, though, K?

 

Margaret has a touching tribute to mothers and mothering at Reflections on the Teche.  She is also honoring generations of mothers in her family.  (There's also a bluebonnet-beautiful photo of Baby June and an original poem by Margaret celebrating her name.)

 

At Live Your Poem, Irene delights us with a free-wheeling and lovely Gees Bend-inspired quilt, and with two versions of a "yellow parasol" haiku as part of her ARTSPEAK adventures.  And, dear reader, she's asked you to weigh in on which one is more effective!  

 

Mary Lee at A(Nother) Year of Reading has pure joy for a post today.  Well, I mean, she has a new book by Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido with illustrations by Melissa Sweet: How to Write a Poem.  Released in April, it looks/sounds amazing and I might have just ordered it. My favorite parts of Mary Lee's post, however, are the poetic comments from young readers and writers.  (Mary Lee couldn't quite stay away from teaching reading after retiring from the classroom and is involved in after-school programs, still inspiring lucky kids.)

 

It's time to dance.  No matter your current life situation, whether bathed in grief or joy, join Patricia at Reading, Writing, Wondering for meaningful movement, as well as a snowy poetic evening contemplation with a dog. 

 

And we're back to pure joy with Karen Edmisten's post sharing Ross Gay's poem, "Throwing Children," about the ubiquitious delight children crave by being tossed into the air (and safely caught) by a loving grown-up.  

 

At The Apples in my Orchard, Carol shares a very personal bit of her family's experience navigating her mother's dementia, and the extra miles they go because of the miles between them.  Thank you for your beautiful poem and honest post, Carol.  Many will understand and identify with these bittersweet moments. 

 

Oh, Friends - you'd never believe from the calm and peaceful post and pretty, blooming images Carol has at Beyond Literacy Link that they've had quite the week so far in the Mother-Daughter-new-baby-to-be department, according to her comment below.  Happy Mother's Day to all, and love from all of us Poetry Friday peeps to greet the new little one soon! I'm impressed that in the midst of all the excitement, Carol made time to sit and be and compose haiku and a lovely post. 

Greetings, Poetry Loving Friends!  Just a signpost again here this week - I'm on the road again.  (I know, I know... it's been a lot!)  Speaking of On the Road Again, Happy 90th to Willie and Congrats on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  But I digress.  And yet, that man is a poet too. 

Just wanted to point the way to our lovely, talented and generous Linda over at TeacherDance this week for the Roundup, and also wanted to assure you all that I haven't forgotten it's MY turn to host next week! :0)  See you then!!

Just waving - ended up running an errand for a friend today and didn't get a post up. But I hope you've been able to partake of more Poetry Month goodness than I have this year.... no more moves planned over here! Please enoy the final Poetry Friday of Poetry Month hosted by our lovely Ruth at There is no such thing as a God-forsaken town.  She's rounding up from Uganda! Congratulate her, too, on 17 years of blogging.  :0)

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers! I hope you've been able to partake of more Poetry Month goodness than I have this year - still settling in after my big move, but with road trips mixed in. Last week I fetched my folks, who drove halfway up from Florida to rendezvous with me at a Lowcountry VRBO, and then I brought them up here to the the SC "Upcountry" to enjoy several days with our kiddos, their dogs, and of course, the baby grand (10 months old now). Very grateful for the opportunity to be together as four generations. Just got back from the return trip.

 

Among the wonderful conversations volleying back and forth last weekend, I enjoyed hearing my hubby and son discuss a brand new book of poems by Mark Nepo (cover pictured above).  This wee post is not a review of the book, as I've barely gotten my footing in it.  But I look forward to further explorations, especially because it's a collection of Nepo's poems written in his 50s and 60s. As one who has recently turned 60, the words resonate! Plus, the title intrigued me.

 

Hubby Jeff and son Seth are far more well read than I in the areas of spirituality and healing and the like. (Jeff's an attending psychiatrist with additional experience in Ayurveda, end-of-life challenges, and energy medicine, and Seth is one of the pastors of an inner city church primarily serving the unhoused community and others in the margins.)

 

Mark Nepo is a New York Times Bestselling Author, best known for The Book of Awakening. One of the many endorsements in his new book is from Naomi Shihab Nye:  "Mark Nepo is a Great Soul.  His resonant heart - his frank and astonishing voice - befriend us mightily on this mysterious trail."

 

About The Half-Life of Angels, Nepo says: "Now in my seventies, I am committed to putting my life's journey with poetry in order. The result will be the publication of several volumes of poetry. The Half-Life of Angels is the first of these volumes." You can learn more about Nepo and his life and work here. 

 

Since we're celebrating Earth Day, I thought sharing the opening of this poem below from Nepo's website would be timely.  To me it deals more with inner landscapes than outer ones, but the survival of the Earth depends on us to develop our capacity for love, does it not?

 

Earth Prayer

 

by Mark Nepo

 

O Endless Creator, Force of Life, Seat of the Unconscious,
Dharma, Atman, Ra, Qalb, Dear Center of our Love,
Christlight, Yaweh, Allah, Mawu,
Mother of the Universe...

 

Let us, when swimming with the stream,
become the stream...
Let us, when moving with the music,
become the music...
Let us, when rocking the wounded,
become the suffering...

 

Let us live deep enough
till there is only one direction...
(Click here to read the poem.)

 

 Be sure to enjoy all the inspiring Kidlitosphere-ish offerings for Poetry Friday this month - Jama has a handy roundup here!  And for this week's Roundup, visit the lovely Karen Edmisten here.

Greetings, Poetry Lovers!  Happy Poetry Month.  I'm hoping to chime in for the last half, but for now I'm still up to my elbows wrangling order out of the chaos of moving.  (Studio is coming along nicely, though!  Pics soon.) 

 

There is SO much goodness being generated by my Poetry Friday pals this month, please drop by Jama's Alphabet Soup to partake of the montly events roundup.  (Jama adds to it as she learns of new projects.)  You'll also find links about this year's wonderful poster, pictured above.  It was commissioned to Marc Brown (of "Arthur" fame, among other works) and includes a line from the poem "Carrying" by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón.

 

The first Poetry Friday of April this year is hosted by the lovely Margaret at Reflections on the Teche, where you'll also find the Progressive Poem.  (My first year ever not participating!  That's how crazy the last couple of months have been.... I look forward to reading this year's magic!)

 

The week after that, my good friend Jone Rush MacCulloch will be hosting.  Since I'll be on the road that day and then have company all that weekend, I won't even pretend I'll get a post up for next week.  But HOPEfully - after that.  ;0)

 

May all the poetry offerings this month bring you solace, light, humor, understanding, quiet, and inspiration - whatever you most need in these challenging days in our country and world. Peace and Poetry Love to you!

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers!  I'm still up to my elbows in boxes and trying to wrestle order out of chaos over here, but I appreciate Mary Lee's getting us ready for Poetry Month over at A(nother) Year of Reading.    Enjoy her original poem and her enthusiasm here on the cusp of April - good things will be blooming all over. See you next week!

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers - I've missed you! The past several weeks have found me criss-crossing South Carolina as we've just moved from Beaufort on the coast to Travelers Rest in the mountains. My husband Jeff moved on ahead to start a new job, while I stayed on in a temporary apartment getting our house there sold and waiting for a basement renovation here to finish up.  To the usual moving stresses, and my sadness at saying goodbye to a place I dearly loved, we had an awful shock last week.  Our wee doggie Rita fell suddenly and critically ill, and she spent a week in and out of the emergency vet near Beaufort. On last Tuesday afternoon, the day before I moved on Wednesday, I had to have her put down in my arms.  My heart is still shattered. 

 

But life brings us joys as well as sorrows.  Now we are closer to our kids and are celebrating Seth's birthday this weekend. Since today (Friday) is his actual birthday, I'm offering up something a little different.  Seth is one of the pastors at Haywood Street Congregation, a church ministry in downtown Asheville, NC.  He was their first intern in 2017-18.  After graduating from seminary at Candler (Emory), he joined the Haywood Street staff in the fall of 2021.  It's unique place - self-described as "holy chaos." With a heart for those experiencing homelessness and anyone who feels they have no place at the table, Haywood offers a place at the table.  Literally.  Whether it's a dining table with nice linens and homecooked meals, or the Communion table during a service, everyone is welcome.  

 

Since Jeff and I are now less than an hour away from Asheville, we'll be able to visit Seth and girlfriend Ginnie more often.  [And we're just two hours away from Morgan and Matt and Baby Sawyer in North Georgia. ] A few weeks ago we got to hear Seth preach - always special for us - and I felt compelled to write about the service, for no particular reason.  No two services are ever the same at Haywood Street! I'm sharing that reflection below, if you are interested.  If you're just here for poetry, that's fine too!

 

Here are two haiku I wrote when visiting Seth during his internship year years ago, followed by my recent thoughts.

 

 

 

bus stop
the hard places
where she sleeps

 

 

bottle rockets, No. 38, Feb. 2018

 

-------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

empty street -
she stoops to pocket
a half-cigarette

Acorn, No. 39, Fall 2017

 

 

poems ©Robyn Hood Black

 

--------------------------------------------------

 

To Holy Chaos

 

by Robyn Hood Black – reflections on Feb. 26, 2023

 

It's a crisp February Sunday morning, no rain, in downtown Asheville.

 

Outside the sanctuary of Haywood Street Congregation, people do congregate. Many have come for Sunday's Welcome Table breakfast downstairs, delicious food prepared with love and served on real plates, on real tablecloths, with real meal-time conversations.  Fresh flowers, too.

 

Around the grounds and in the garden, small groups huddle. Some people have bedrolls and backpacks; most have lines in their faces belying their age. There is quiet talk, and colorful language, and the jolt of a glass jar breaking on concrete. Always, a few folks sleep here and there and everywhere.

 

This morning, a table is set up offering immunizations for pets.  Dogs are regulars at Haywood Street, and today they receive some extra TLC.

 

Inside, a few dozen people await the start of the service. The magnificent fresco is a call to worship, its colors echoed in tall stained glass windows - and in the diversity of the congregation. The space is not overly large but big enough, simple but with handcrafted touches whispering, All Are Welcome Here.

 

Jody invites anyone interested to come up to be "the choir" and help lead the opening songs.  A few people join without hesitation.  At the piano is a beautiful young trans woman, playing with heart and flourish and abundant talent.

 

Later in the service, that piano will feel the touch of a diminutive fair-skinned, white-haired 85-year-old woman, as she shares one of her favorite traditional hymns. That music, too, moves everyone hearing it.

 

Today's announcements include one about the award-winning 2021 documentary on the fresco, Theirs is the Kingdom, and about a new group to meet weekly in support of anyone at any stage in their addiction journey.

 

To say that Haywood Street's services are interactive would be an understatement.  In the "Blessings and Testimonials" time, anyone is invited to share – a spontaneous song, a personal story, some quiet yearning in a heart that needs expression. Today a young woman sings a contemporary Christian song, followed by a man who often shares his vocal talents. Microphones aren't needed here.

 

Speakers are open and vulnerable, sharing raw hardships as well as sublime blessings.  There are health concerns mentioned in addition to gratitude that a trailer has become available for one of the singers. A lively discussion bubbles up as well, with a few women sharing how they personally hear God.  Differing views are respected in an invisible web of trust. 

 

Sermons are dialogical, too, and are called "conversational homilies." Today, after our older piano player volunteers to read verses from Matthew following the church calendar, Seth preaches about Jesus's need to be by himself.  For starters, his baptism was followed by 40 days in the wilderness.  Quiet time alone is not always easy, as the temptation narratives illustrate.

 

Jesus sought out solitude amidst the demands of his unfolding calling, his heavy understanding of who he was and was becoming.  Seth preaches about the necessity of self-care, which can take many forms. His words resonate with many in the pews in the form of nods and words of agreement. 

 

True to Haywood Street's motto of "Holy Chaos," the service is peppered with an occasional surprise.  A couple of times, a smiling young man with flapping clothes walks at a fast clip up the center aisle, and out the back of the sanctuary toward the offices.  He is high on something, and waves to a few folks each time, and even to the fresco.

 

At another moment, Jody opens the door to the narthex for someone.  This happens to occur at the exact time that a cat from the animal table, brought inside because it kept trying to get away, receives its shot – and a hearty, screechy yowl permeates the service.

 

After the sermon, needs are shared and updates given on situations calling for prayer.  Anyone who wants to speak is heard and affirmed by the lovely and spunky woman guiding this response time.  After every contribution, folks shake a little ring of bells left on the pews or their car keys or otherwise join in to support each need.

 

The offering comes in the form of music and a volunteer holding a basket up front.  Attendees are welcome to give but also appreciated if they would like to give but aren't in a position to. Communion follows, with one volunteer holding a bowl of pieces of homemade bread, and another holding a cup of juice to dip it in.  Anyone may partake.

 

Today the service closes with a song, "Blessed Quietness," reflecting the morning's theme. During this last hymn, a man who was stretched out on a pew wakes up and looks around.  Even though the elements of this service and the homily will be repeated on Wednesday, it will not be the same.  This is Haywood Street, and no two days are ever alike.

 

This holy chaos might not be for everyone, but it's absolutely for anyone.

 

###

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Seth!

 

If you've made it this far in my post and need to find the Poetry Friday Roundup, go "Imagine the Possibilities" with our lovely Rose. And to learn more about Haywood Street Congregation, click here. 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers!  As we lean towards celebrating LOVE for Valentine's Day next week, I thought we might hear some words from a few centuries ago in New England, long before the United States was a country.  This one's for you, Husband-of-Mine...

 

To My Dear and Loving Husband

by Anne Bradstreet (1612-72)

 

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me ye women if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persever,
That when we live no more we may live ever.

 

You can learn more about Anne Bradstreet here.  She was the first poet to be published in colonial North America, an impressive accomplishment, especially for a woman in the 1600s!

 

Valentine's Day is not an easy day for many - extra love to those for whom it's difficult or bittersweet.

 

The amazing Carol, who LOVES words and images, not to mention her beautiful family - has our Roundup this week at Beyond Literacy Week. 

*Note* - Life here is still crazy with a multi-part move in progress; I'll be in and out of town the next two weekends, then back in Beaufort for a week or so, and then making the final move to catch up with the aforementioned husband over in the mountains in mid-March! I'll get back into the swing of weekly posting again as soon as possible. :0) 

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers! Happy February...

 

Last Friday I was on the road back and forth (again!) to our Upstate SC house, where we are moving permanently in coming weeks. Though life has been chaos for many weeks (Okay, months...) somehow my hubby pulled off a surprise party on Saturday for my 60th birthday (on Monday).  I knew my kids would be visiting, but I didn't know that several dear friends who live in that general region - plus our contactors who are making our basement into a magical living/working space there - would be showing up for lunch & cake! What a treat, and getting to share the surprise and celebration with the  Baby Grand - who enjoyed my gift of a wonderful old Remington typewriter - made it even more special. 

 

Another fun surprise was the new issue of bottle rockets which came a little early, ahead of upcoming postal rate hikes.  Honored to have a poem in it, which kinda relates to this whole getting older thing.  [I'm grateful for every birthday, and I loved what one friend commented on Facebook:  "Welcome to the next level." Ha!]  

 

Also, I suppose this haiku relates to moving as well, as I remember composing it during a gentle rain here in the Lowcountry.  I will miss this place.

 

just beyond

memory's reach

soft rain in the woods

 

 

©Robyn Hood Black

bottle rockets, #48, February 2023

 

 

Many thanks to the oh-so-talented Laura for hosting us all this week, and for filling February with poetry all month long....