Greetings, Poetry Lovers! Nuthin' to see here. (Where did this week go?!)
Plenty to read and enjoy, though, over at A Year of Reading with Mary Lee, who is rounding up Poetry Friday this week. Thanks, Mary Lee!
Life on the Deckle Edge
Poetry Friday - Dictionary for a Better World
March 26, 2020
Greetings, Poetry Lovers!
For the last decade give or take, I've written for a wonderful Character Education program, CORE ESSENTIAL VALUES, used by schools across the country. (If my editor happens to be reading this, I know I'm behind! Sorry! You'll hear from me soon…) A different core value is celebrated each month. My bits of territory in the greater monthly offerings include an animal profile that somehow links to the value; a color that does the same, and quotations which reflect and expand its meaning. I'll try to do a real post about it all. I mention it now simply because I feel that such education is important – vitally important. Perhaps it reinforces what a student is learning at home, or perhaps it introduces students to ways of being or conversations they don't often experience otherwise.
This interest is part of the reason I was so excited about the second book co-authored by my friends Irene Latham and Charles Waters, whose groundbreaking CAN I TOUCH YOUR HAIR? (Carolrhoda Books, 2018) has helped foster discussions of race relations for all ages.
Chances are you've heard the buzz about, or are lucky enough to have read, DICTIONARY FOR A BETTER WORLD – Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z (hot off the press, also from Carolrhoda). "Rich" is the word that fills my mind and heart to describe this unique treasure. It includes: poetry galore, in many familiar and off-the-beaten-path forms; quotations that inspire and challenge (from contemporary voices and those that live on through their words); and thoughtful reflections throughout from both Irene and Charles. The back is chock-full of resources, making this volume oh-so-handy for teachers, media specialists, and parents.
And, the ART! Oh, my. Well, first, I'd dare you to resist the colorful cover. It is a treat throughout – Mehrdokht Amini's varied images provide surprises at every turn, but are unified with an accessibility and sophistication through bold colors anchored with lots of (wonderful) dark shades, and a downright symphony of lively lettering and type. (Here is her website.)
The idea for the book sprouted two years ago when Charles and Irene were each waiting on flights home from snowy Michigan, after their school visit for that day got cancelled because of the weather. Some free hours in a restaurant, some conversation… and, magic! A book idea was born.
As Charles notes, however, these things are rarely an easy, straight shot.
"Through a rejection of another book idea, this book came into being," he says. "When one door closes, find that sliver of sunlight elsewhere."
Good advice!
And this book is full of good advice. In addition to a poem to savor, each "entry" on an alphabetical topic (& some letters get more than one topic!) includes a quotation, a reflection (either "Charles says…" or "Irene says…" – or, for the four they co-wrote, "Irene and Charles say…"), and, finally, a "Try It" exercise suggesting ways to incorporate the theme into daily life.
Many poetic forms will be familiar (cinquain, persona, found poem), while others might be new to you (tricube, shadorma, etheree).
You'll see in the photo above that my Chihuaha's favorite poem was Irene's senryu. My little Rita does love mealtime!
SERVICE
helping hands fill plates
with meat-and-potato peaks
hope is gravy
©Irene Latham
The quote that goes along with this poem is from Lao-tzu (Tao Te Ching):
"The heart that gives, gathers."
Irene's response paragraph introduces us to some of her favorite childhood memories, when she lived down the street from a convent in Louisiana. "One of my favorite things to do was to hang out in that enormous kitchen and help make cookies and soup to serve at retreats and community events," she writes. The "Try it" piece invites readers to seek out service organizations and find one that fits. "Sign up and serve just one shift, and see where it leads you."
Speaking of Japanese poetry forms, Irene says, "The poem that went through the most revisions -- and we still wish we could revise it at least one more time -- is 'Equality,' the renga. For that reason, it's one we ALWAYS read at school visits. So kids will know it takes a lot of work to find the right words... and even when a poem looks 'done' (as it does in a published book), there are often ways it can be improved."
I'll bet students are eager to add stanzas of their own.
Here are a couple from Irene and Charles:
...
star student, or one
who doesn't enjoy reading
we are all equal
whichever bathrooms we choose,
each of us wants to feel safe
...
This book will make readers of many different backgrounds feel safe, and, beyond that, inspired. And beyond that, hopeful.
Certainly welcome in these challenging days! And a great jumping off point for National Poetry Month, don't you think? In fact, Naomi Shihab Nye has chosen DICTIONARY FOR A BETTER WORLD as the Young People's Poet Laureate Book Pick for April! :0) Here is a PDF with more of the book's story. (Learn more about Irene here and more about Charles here.)
For more great poetry this week, visit our amazing and thoughtful Tabatha, who is always about making the world better, at The Opposite of Indifference.
*(Also, I'm working on my Spring artsyletters newsletter, which will include an old but timely poem and a quote or two, so I'll add the link here when it's ready.)* :0)
Wishing you and yours the best of health.
16 Comments
Poetry Friday - Now That You Have Time to Read and Write... David G. Lanoue's HAIKU GUY OMNIBUS (& More!)
March 19, 2020
Greetings, Poetry Lovers!
Happy Spring! It's a comfort that the seasons still appear in turn.
"Surreal" is definitely the word which keeps popping up like the daffodils. I hope you and yours are well.
If you're shuttered and going a little stir-crazy, maybe you're tackling that big pile of books on the bedroom nightstand? Or ordering new books? You might recall being curious about David G. Lanoue's HAIKU GUY series, after reading about it here somewhere, or maybe even half a dozen years ago in a column I wrote on Janice Hardy's Fiction University blog. Well, good news! To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the series, David has JUST released the HAIKU GUY OMNIBUS!
This hefty, handy paperback features HAIKU GUY, LAUGHING BUDDHA, HAIKU WARS, FROG POET, and DEWDROP WORLD, all in one place.
The back cover copy explains it well:
Five interconnected narratives explore the art of haiku by following the adventures of Buck-Teeth, a fictional student of haiku master Cup-of-Tea (the historical Issa). Sliding easily back and forth between Old Japan and contemporary New Orleans, between the unfolding stories and the author's writing group commenting on those stories, the five meandering narratives reflect on the meaning of life, the purpose of poetry, and the search for enlightenment. Though each little novel stands alone, together they form parts of a greater whole that, author David G. Lanoue suggests, can be discovered in the same way that one finds shapes in midsummer clouds - hence his advice to the reader with which he ends his Preface, "Squint hard."
These stories are both entertaining and inspiring, and unlike anything you've read before! If you haven't read them, I know you'll enjoy the journey.
Many of you know David through his "Daily Issa" contributions to your inbox. I don't know about you, but in these more-than-challenging times, I lap these up like a hummingbird at a trumpet flower. Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827) is beloved as one of the early haiku masters who found beauty in and connection with all living things despite a life full of hardships. (Here is info about David's Issa books.)
David teaches English and world literature at Xavier College in New Orleans and is a translator of Japanese haiku as well as a writer. He was president of the Haiku Society of America from 2013 to 2015. In addition to poetry and these unique haiku/fiction combinations, his books also include scholarly criticism, and the wonderful WRITE LIKE ISSA how-to guide, which I'm thrilled to have a poem in.
Thursday's "Daily Issa" haiku was perfect for the first day of Spring:
at my dinner tray
a sparrow chirps...
spring rain
I featured a few of David's Issa haiku on some seasonal business-card-sized poem cards in my Etsy shop, including this one for Spring:
the mountain sunset
within my grasp...
spring butterfly
(I've also featured this particular card in a Send Spring Cheer pack I've just come up with. My idea is to encourage folks to send notes to those who might be feeling especially isolated right now. The pack includes my wren and book note cards, eight first-class flower Forever stamps, eight spring Issa cards, and a sheet of sparkly red heart stickers. It's listed at just a feather above my cost with free shipping, ready-made with all that's needed for sending, except the writer's personal note and the walk to the mailbox.)
Many thanks, and hearty congratulations, to David for the new book! And much appreciation for the beauty and kindness added to the world through so many works.
Sending love to all in these trying days. I hope the chatter of birds and the surprise of new blooms can cheer your heart as you venture out for some fresh air and Vitamin D each day. (And for those of you in snow, I hope Spring arrives soon!)
For more poetry (and art!) to help you through, please visit the lovely and talented Michelle Kogan for this week's Roundup.
All in this together. XO
Poetry Friday - Haiku from my Friends for the Times We're In....
March 12, 2020
Greetings, Poetry Lovers - Happy Friday the 13th!
Much on our collective minds this week, I know. I so enjoyed a recent email exchange with my St. Augustine area haiku peeps (they kindly adopted me a couple-few years ago, and I'm just a few hours up the coast!).
I thought others might also appreciate the haiku that these talented folks tucked at the end of their messages.
Time, the calendar, seasons – this current time we're in. All of these things are on my mind, often, and are folded into these gems of poems below. Enjoy!
Leap Year
two free cups of
morning coffee
Paula Moore
daylight savings
what was never
ours to keep
Michael Henry Lee
First appeared in Tiny Words Issue 15.1 March 2015
flu avoidance…
a bow at a katana's
distance
Dennis (gobou) Holmes
(*Note from Robyn – a katana is a Japanese samurai sword.)
daylight savings
my dog still knows
what time it is
Antoinette Libro
Okay, and one from me for today, about the current state of affairs:
Friday the 13th
too many cracks
in the sidewalk
Robyn Hood Black
All poems are ©copyright their respecive authors, all rights reserved. Shared with permission of the poets.
Wishing safety and good health all around. At least we can enjoy some fine poetry without leaving home. Now, keep time with Matt at Radio, Rhythm and Rhyme for this week's Roundup!
Poetry Friday - Downton Delights...
March 5, 2020
Greetings, Poetry Lovers! (First, that crazy looking column above really is a series of pictures; click to open in a new window and click to view at a size you can see. ;0) The Authors Guild websites don't yet offer the option for several pictures interspersed in a blog post.)
Last Friday, after my author school visit in Georgia, my third-grade-teacher-daughter Morgan and I took off for a Mama-Daughter Downton weekend at Biltmore House in Asheville. Though we had to drive through snow to get there ("It's Narnia" Morgan said...), we arrived to a beautiful cozy room at the hotel on the estate, and then we blissfully hopped on and off shuttles on Saturday to see the exhibits. We were celebrating our January birthdays a little late, splurging to stay on the estate at the end of the winter rates, and before the Downton exhibits exit in early April.
There's some Downton history here. Morgan's wedding in 2016 definitely had some Downton-ish flair (I put up a few pix on my art blog afterwards here), after Morgan and I fell in love with the TV series and would text about it long-distance. When the (fantastic!) movie came out this past fall, I drove the 10-to-12-hour round trip just to see it with her in north Georgia. I bought us cheap, fun little fascinator hats and she was a good sport to wear hers to the movie!
For Morgan's actual birthday a few weeks ago, I discovered that the costume jewelry company 1928 had a Downton Abbey line (HOW did I not know that?) and I had Jeff help me pick out a long beaded necklace to have sent to her. Then, last weekend, I took another little box from said jewelry ("jewellery") line - I had bought us matching earrings! (No, we didn't actually both wear them at the same time. ;0) )
The exhibit at Deerpark at Biltmore Estate was delightful. Each main character had his or her own display with some background story, costume items in some cases, and 'artifacts' such as letters. There was an interactive quiz you could take at computer kiosks to apply for a job at Downton - Morgan and I were both suited to be a cook, like Mrs. Patmore! So much for a life of leisure.
The costume exhibit at Antler Village was much smaller, but oh-so-delicious, with actual apparel worn by the actors, men and women. Oh, the beaded dresses.... Sigh. And the jewelry!! Swoon, swoon, swoon.
Okay, this IS Poetry Friday after all, and I've not shared any poetry yet. In keeping with the general time period, I turned to one of my glorious December Poetry Swap gifts from Linda Baie. She had given me a copy of THE BEST POEMS of 1930. (I haven't "recycled" it yet into Etsy items, but I have tagged some pages... ;0) )
The Downton Abbey TV series takes place from 1912 through 1925. The movie's setting was in 1927. But I figured the poetry in this book was close enough to share some of the 1920s sensibilities. I tried to find a couple of poems that might resonate for diehard Downton fans.
The book, published by Harcourt Brace & Co. with poems selected by Thomas Moult, and "decorations" by Elizabeth Montgomery, opens with this poem:
A Prologue for Poems
by John A. Holmes
As music builds a bright impermanent tower
High in the sunlight, wild with birds
And banners, so this chosen hour
Will take you
Briefly from the world.
Until the windy flags are furled,
the last page turned, the music ended,
Wander, well attended
Through the gate and climb the stairs.
At the top look down, look down, and see
My broad enchanted land
Where south is love, and death lies north,
And oceans on either hand.
And here's a short poem from within:
Being but Men
by Monk Gibbon
Being but men, not gods, we'll need take pride
In all that gives the lie to this mean state;
All moments borne beyond the common tide,
All littleness of heart made briefly great;
All beauty vouched with sudden indrawn breath,
A word, a turn of head, a lovely look,
A gesture grave, a phrase defying death,
Or a chance sentence in an unsought book.
I hope our little Downton-y Diversion has brought a smile. The wonderful Rebecca at Sloth Reads has the Roundup this week - and volcanoes and eggs! Enjoy...
Poetry Friday - A Haiku Shorter Than This Heading...
February 20, 2020
©Robyn Hood Black
Greetings, Poetry Lovers!
I'm still treading water schedule-wise this year, and in case you are too, I just have a little teeny wee bite-sized poem today. This is from the current Frogpond, the journal of the Haiku Society of America.
high tide it comes and goes
©Robyn Hood Black. All rights reserved.
And... you're done here! Well, leave a howdy, and then row on over to Library Matters, where the lovely Cheriee is rounding up today. She also has a special treat - a feature/interview with Avis Harley!
~~(Final thought, especially with my water references today... prayers for all in Mississippi who are dealing with devastating flooding this week.)~~
Poetry Friday - O my Luve...
February 13, 2020
Greetings, Poetry Lovers - Happy Valentine's Day!
Let's have a wee bit of Rabbie Burns, shall we?
A Red, Red Rose
O my Luve is like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve is like the melody
That's sweetly played in tune.
So fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will love thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only luve!
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my luve,
Though it were ten thousand mile.
Burns lived from 1759 to 1796, and many of works were written as songs, such as this oh-so-famous poem. (He wrote Auld Lang Syne, too.) Most of his writings were in Scots.
According to Pauline Mackay on the BBC site, this poem is "one of the most famous love songs associated with Robert Burns, ... composed prior to 1794 when it appeared in a collection by an Edinburgh composer named Urbani." She adds, "Part of the song's appeal is its use of powerful, natural imagery to convey a love that is ever-lasting and capable of surviving both distance and time."
One of these years, I'll have my act together and celebrate Burns Night on January 25 (his birthday) - but, with vegetarian haggis. ;0) We had that several times on our trip year before last. (Here's some more info about Robert Burns.)
If you are celebrating with your Luve today, enjoy and savor. And if you know someone who is missing their Valentine, make their day by reaching out with a thoughtful wish - roses optional.
Slàinte Mhath!
Continue to feel the love today over at Teacher Dance, where Linda always fills our hearts!
Poetry Friday - Last Couple of Postcard Swap Poems - New Year 2020!
February 6, 2020
(Click to enlarge.)
Greetings, Poetry Lovers!
I was happy to receive these last couple of New Year's Poem Postcard swap treasures in the mail and wanted to share. Many thanks to Linda Baie and to Diane Mayr! (Though I switched up the postcards in the turning over for the photographs, I think you can figure out whose is whose.)
Below them was my contribution I mailed out for the swap.
[This is probably one of my shortest posts ever, because the storms that have been making their way this direction (on Thursday) are finally rumbling outside (Thurs. eve.), so I need to shut down my old computer....]
Wishing you more poetic inspirations and good rat spirit medicine all weekend. For this week's Roundup, visit the amazing Laura at Writing the World for Kids / Small Reads for Brighter Days.
Poetry Friday - Rhymes with BirthDAY: Wilder's FEY and Louisa May....
January 30, 2020
Greetings, Poetry Lovers!
Grateful to celebrate another trip around the sun over here.
Some literary surprises have helped! My sister Sharon sent the perfect birthday gift - a copy of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Fairy Poems, compiled by Stephen W. Hines with oh-so-charming illustrations by Richard Hull. It was published by Doubleday in 1998.
How did this little gem of a volume miss our bookshelves when it originally came out? Morgan loved Little House on the Prairie so much that for two separate Halloweens I was up late stitching prairie dresses, bonnets, aprons.... We read the books and she fell in love with the TV series, too, which I probably still have on VHS tapes around here somewhere. (She shares this love with her Poppy, her Florida grandfather. He and my mother probably still have those VHS tapes, too. Some of you might be reading this and wondering, What is a VHS tape? Don't judge.)
Anyway, I'm delighted to have the poems! Morgan does remember having some little plastic figure fairies that you tossed into the air, and they would flutter wings and spin around... Sky Dancers! (Anyone remember those?) She said it hurt when you tried to catch them....
Here is a poem from the book describing a particular challenge faced by the fairy Drop O' Dew, as she tries to tend some rather rebellious flowers:
Naughty Four O'Clocks
There were some naughty flowers once,
Who were careless in their play;
They got their petals torn and soiled
As they swung in the dust all day.
Then went to bed at four o'clock,
With faces covered tight,
To keep the fairy Drop O' Dew
From washing them at night.
Poor Drop O' Dew! What could she do?
She said to the Fairy Queen,
"I cannot get those Four O'Clocks
To keep their faces clean."
The mighty Storm King heard the tale;
"My winds and rain," roared he,
"Shall wash those naughty flowers well,
As flowers all should be."
So raindrops came and caught them all
Before they went to bed,
And washed those little Four O'Clocks
At three o'clock instead.
April 1915
(For a wee bit more on my blog re. fairies, here's a link to a poem by Yeats and here's a picture of a fairy tree we saw in Ireland summer before last.)
Another welcome gift came my way among a few from my hubby Jeff, over birthday cake Thursday night - a TIME magazine/book about Little Women. Have you seen the new movie? Morgan and I saw it over Christmas break during our Georgia traveling, and we loved it. Hear, hear for the Oscar nominations.
I recently discovered some vintage US postage stamps featuring Louisa May Alcott from the 1940 Famous Americans series. They have found their way into bookmarks, magnets, and earrings in my Etsy shop.... :0) Go, Louisa May!
Finally -- my mother, Nita, and the aforementioned Poppy (Jack) like to spice up birthday cards with original poems now and then. I'm not sure what overcame them this year, but there was a rather long offering with a rather redneck-y voice to brighten my day. Well, here is just a short sampling:
You see this poem ain't got no rhythm or meter
it just buzzes around like a Florida skeeter.
What can I say? (Really - um, what does one say??!)
Speaking of literary birthday surprises and Florida skeeters, I also received a hefty book from my brother. Mike and Scott sent a memories-and-smiles-evoking gem called Florida Roadside Attractions History - The Complete Guide to Florida Tourist Attractions Before Disney by Ken Breslauer. Yes, I will have to share it with you at some point! The pictures alone are fantastic. Pirates, giant gators, mermaids - you get the idea. If mermaids exist, then surely fairies do, too!
For less rambling and more coherent poetry-rich blog posts today, visit the always enchanting Jone at DeoWriter for this week's Roundup. (Pssst... she has a giveaway perfect for kindling your imagination in this new year!)
Poetry Friday - Poem Postcard Swap!
January 23, 2020
Greetings, Poetry Lovers!
Can you believe we're sliding into the last week of January? I can't. But I sure have enjoyed ushering in 2020 with poetic, artistic surprises in the mailbox. The postcard poem swap, coordinated by the amazing Jone MacCulloch, is a fun way to celebrate a new decade's beginnings.
Jone tossed out a possible prompt/inspiration in the form of the Chinese New Year, and this year the animal star of the zodiac is... the Rat! The Lunar New Year officially begins this Saturday, the 25th, and celebrations will continue through Feb. 8th or 11th or so. (Unfortunately, the virus outbreak is curtailing much of the customary travel and plans in China... a logistically awful time for such a crisis.)
Here are the wonderful poem postcards which have scurried inside my door - some with whiskers and tails, others not, several in haiku, others not. Enjoy! (All poems are copyrighted by their authors.)
Linda Mitchell's colorful card features a fetching text-bodied, line drawn literary rat with a bit of fabled history (about the Jade Emporer and the animals seeking to be his guards.) Boxed in are these lovely words:
Some days we dash
to win the race.
Others, friends carry us
over dangerous rivers.
Each a heavenly gift.
Happy New Year, 2020.
********************************
Irene Latham brings on some perfect January imagery:
Blades slice
easy 8s
across ice pond
You breathe
teeter
weave
arms tight
flung w i d e
tight again
Just you
with your tingly
truths
your deliberate
unmittened
heart
and a whirl
of white
waiting
********************************
A Happy New Year 2020 Fireworks card from Kimberly M. Hutmacher offers these sparkling words:
Crackle, fizz, flash, bang!
Bold dreams bursting from the sky.
New hope springing forth!
********************************
Rebecca Herzog is up to a little mischief:
little snow angel
with snowballs in mittened hands
devious device
********************************
Margaret Simon takes on a triolet (I love triolets!)
In New Year's arms, we find a space
open for our thoughts to inspire,
dreams seeded in winter with grace.
In New Year's arms, we find a space
to refresh a lost sense of place,
and find hope for what we aspire.
In New Year's arms, we find this space
open for our thoughts to inspire.
(Margaret's words have been inspiring to me as I've been trying to wrangle order out of chaos in my studio, and also in my wee home office, where my computer is. Thanks for the timely encouragement, Margaret!)
********************************
More literary collage fun from Kay McGriff! Her card features the image of a stack of books, against a backdrop of text from a Harry Potter volume....
stacks of books, rivers
of words beckon adventure
through the new year
(A little book spine poetry sandwiched in there, too?) :0)
********************************
Jone MacCulloch shares her gorgeous photography along with this comforting poem:
incoming tide brings
words on waves
throughout the decade
********************************
And Robert Ertman has a little fun in the natural world:
winterberry--
among fifty shades of brown
********************************
I'm grateful to begin a new year - and new decade - with these fabulous people and lively poems! (A couple of folks on my "list" aren't represented; here's hoping nothing has gotten lost in the mail. We've had a few delivery mishaps this month....)
Our wonderful Kat Apel is hosting Poetry Friday this week; continued prayers and light to Autstralia and all her inhabitants, including Kat, and Sally, who hosted earlier this month.