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

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers! In a few weeks, on the 16th of December, Jane Austen fans will have something to celebrate – the 250th anniversary of her birth in Hampshire, England.  (Those of us in the U.S. can revel in her delicious words and wit before turning our attention to the 250th birthday of our nation, just around the corner. But, I digress. Though I do want to make sure you know "The American Revolution" by Ken Burns premiers Sunday evening on PBS, with episodes each night next week!)

 

Of course, Austen is best known for her novels:  Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion. Which is your favorite?  I'm not alone in my devotion to Pride and Prejudice. (I find it astonishing that she first drafted this work, originally called First Impressions, when she was just 21. I think I still have a college essay for my British novel class about mirrors and such, titled, "Reflections on – and in – Pride and Prejudice.")

 

The Austens loved poetry, too.  Jane had one beloved sister, Cassandra, and six(!) brothers. 

Jane even wrote some poetry herself, many pieces humorous.  She appreciated the poetry of Sir Walter Scott and William Cowper.

 

At the Jane Austen House website – which you must visit if you're still reading this, and especially if, like me, you haven't yet made it to Chawton – you'll find wonderful details about Jane's life and works.  In fact, this weekend is the last for an exhibit, "The Poetry Bookcase," a "specially created installation" bringing together "poems that Jane Austen and her family knew and loved." On October 6, 2022, for National Poetry Day across The Pond, poet and Creative Engagement Officer Ellora Sutton offered a short feature on Jane Austen and poetry here.

 

I love that Sutton included a poem by Jane's mother, the elder Cassandra Austen - a response to a family competition to write as many rhymes for "rose" as possible.

 

My work being done, I look'd through the windows,
And with pleasure beheld all the bucks and the does,
The cows and the bullocks, the wethers and ewes.
To the library each morning the family goes,
So I went with the rest though I felt rather froze.
My flesh is much warmer, my blood freer flows,
When I work in the garden with rakes and with hoes.

 

Delightful!

 

Jane does reference poetry in her novels, of course.  Don't you love this exchange between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy, also in the piece?

 

"I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!"
"I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love," said Darcy.
"Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what is strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away."

 

(I can't read that passage without hearing the voices of Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen from the Joe Wright 2005 adaptation. And, yes, I took myself to an actual theater when it came to a local venue for the 20th anniversary earlier this year.)

 

The Jane Austen House has offered a lovely podcast his year, A Jane Austen Year.  It's the accompaniment to a book of the same name you can learn about at the site. "A Jane Austen Year is a mindful, soothing and uplifting podcast that transports you to Jane Austen's House in Chawton… Each month, join us on a seasonal journey through Jane Austen's novels, the story of her life and the world she lived in."  I love that the narrators are people who staff the house/museum, and original music and sounds were recorded on the premises.  You can sample the first episode at the link.

 

But wait – there's more! The Jane Austen House's annual lecture is next Thursday, November 20, and we're all invited – on YouTube, anyway.  Salley Vickers will present "The Difficult Miss Austen" and discuss "some of the more subversive and socially critical elements in Jane Austen's novels, as well as the dangers and difficulties that women experienced…."   Note that the 8 p.m. time on the website translates into hours earlier in the states, 3 p.m. for those of us on Eastern Standard Time. Here's the link.

 

Just a couple-few more things I've treated myself to this year:  Lucy Worsley's 2017 Jane Austen at Home: A Biography, and also

Rebecca Romney's Jane Austen's Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector's Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend  (February 2025), which I haven't read yet.

 

I did purchase a used copy of Miss Austen by Gill Hornby (2021) because I wanted to read it before watching the PBS series which debuted this year.  It's a fictional story told from sister Cassandra's perspective. You can still find the series on PBS (available on Passport) and Amazon Prime Video, as well as another outlet or two.

 

Finally, you might have noticed above that I felt the call to commemorate Jane's birthday with a new item in my shop, an ornament made with an original sketch of the author. There is only one portrait of Jane's face in existence, a loose pencil sketch by her sister, Cassandra, made around 1810. (Cassandra had made an earlier rendering of Jane in blue dress and bonnet, but her face wasn't visible.) Decades later, their nephew commissioned an engraving based on the facial sketch, which itself was based on a watercolor interpretation of the sketch by James Andrews.  This engraving is the image most of us are probably familiar with, and it appears on the ten-pound bank note. There are various thoughts and opinions on all of this by scholars, of course – I'll let you find those rabbit holes if interested. (Here's one.) And here is London's National Portrait Gallery page with Cassandra's sketch.

 

For my ornament, I brewed some proper English tea, put on some classical music, and made my own little sketch with colored pencils, some gouache, and a touch of pen and ink. It's far from perfect, but Cassandra's wasn't either!  I printed the image on high-quality Moab paper with Epson pigment ink and set the image under a glass cabochon. It hangs in a brass/alloy setting with a gold-plated pewter book charm adorning the top and has a vintage yellow ribbon. (Austen referenced shades of yellow a few times in her works.)

Cheers to you, Jane!

 

Lace up those walking boots and head over toThe Apples in My Orchard, where the lovely Carol has our Roundup this week.  

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers! HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I hope you have just the right amount of spooky fun this weekend. 

 

I found myself heavy with the weight of the real horrors in the news this week - a huge hurricane bearing down on Caribbean islands, threats to the cease-fire in the Middle East and continued killings in Ukraine, the threat of food assistance disappearing for needy folks here against a backdrop of a future golden ballroom (and a demolished White House wing) - and though I had much to do after traveling, I decided to have some fun with my dog, Rookie, a two-year-old Keeshond.  Mainly because I needed a humor break myself.  

 

And though it appears the détectives français might be closing in on the real thieves, for Halloween, I conjured up a poem to go with the picture I took a couple of days ago. 

 

  C'était moi

 

by Robyn Hood Black

 

I could not help myself, you know - 

I smelled the wealth.  I heard the jangle.

 

I saw the glinty, sparkly glow - 

from royal crown to baubled bangle.

 

With floofy fluff and padded paws,

I shadowed into the Louvre 

 

to add those gaudy, gleaming gems

to my stash, my cache, my oeuvre. 

 

(My breed is Dutch - counts not for much; I can parlez-vous.)

 

Humans made a ladder clatter - who saw a gray chien?

You might call me a wicked boy,

but my stealth is très bien.

 

 

Make your getaway over to the marvelous world of multi-talented Jone Rush MacCulloch for this week's mwah-ha-haa Poetry Friday Roundup.  Thanks, Jone!

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers!  Thanks to Heidi Bee Roemer today, we have something for the youngest young readers, older young readers, young adults and the young at heart.

 

Hot off the press this week from Highlights Press is Heidi's latest book, SILLY PUPPIES - Baby's First Giggles, a delightful rhyming board book sure to be a hit with little dog lovers, like my own two baby grands.  I can't wait to share it with them!  It's a fun, bed-time themed romp through puppy mischief. Photos are from Getty Images and the charming line art is by Jana Curll.

 

Goodnight, Sun.

Hello, Moon.

 

Is it bedtime?

Pretty soon!

 

But first, there's a bath to be had, a bedtime snack to be munched, and some (oops!) chewing to be done. Then, of course - a bedtime story and song. I am quite sure this little book will be met with a chorus of "Again!"s by our own wee ones. Click here for more info. 

 

You can learn more about Heidi and her books for kids (and other published writing - did you know she's sold nearly 500 poems?!) here at her website.  

 

But, wait - there's more!

 

Heidi is also the founder of Steam Powered Poetry for students and teachers!  She and her creative, accomplished team offer all kinds of poetry video and activity options in the realms of science, technology, engineering, art, and math.  And, their offerings are tailored to grade levels:  early education (& "wee steamers"!), primary, middle grade, and intermediate. The mission statement begins, "Across the curriculum, 'S.T.E.A.M. Powered Poetry Videos for Pk-8' promotes poetry in the classroom using multiple methods and strategies."

 

Steam Powered Poetry's annual poetry video contest runs from October through April.  Know any creative junior high, high school, college, or grad students who are video-savvy?  Here's how they can participate; registration for this year opened a couple of weeks ago.  

 

Students may enter individually, or teachers can register their classes. Then participants can download the Poetry Packet with 40 STEAM poems. Each video creator then chooses a poem and makes a one-minute video for grade school students.  Entries are due by Thursday, April 30, 2026.

 

The 40 poems are by "e-STEAM-ed poets," and I'm thrilled to be one of those myself this year.  (Heidi Mordhorst is in the mix this year, too - Hi, Heidi!)

 

You can learn more about the contest here - Share the link! :0)

 

The infographic above, made by Heidi, features my poem in the packet.

 

 

Collage Camouflage

 

by Robyn Hood Black

 

Inks and paints hide on the shelf.

Blank paper lies in wait.

I think I will surprise myself.

Hey, Fingers – let's create!

 

I play around with clippings,

designing as I go.

I drizzle inky drippings

and let wild colors flow.

 

Orange pops right next to blue;

a focal point takes shape.

My hands sport every sticky hue,

arranging washi tape.

 

I stencil, stamp, stroke, and streak

with paintbrush, pen, and brayer –

a playful game of hide-and-seek

pressed into every layer.

 

 

©Robyn Hood Black, but freely available, of course, to STEAM Powered Poetry folks!

 

As many of you have also discovered over the years, mixed media art is a rabbit hole of wonderfulness from which one might never escape. Don't bother sending down a rope; I'm pretty happy down here with fingertips constantly inked. In fact, I've been immersed in gel plate printing this month, especially in a two-week online frenzy of workshops with lifetime access to the videos - The Gel Printers Summit put on by artist Drew Steinbrecher.  (You can actually still "sign up" for access to this year's videos through Oct. 19, or maybe make a note on your calendar for next October.)  I even found a Poetry Friday friend in the private Facebook group, Tricia Stohr-Hunt - Hi, Tricia! :0)

 

Speaking of Poetry Friday friends, whether brand new or old-timers, be sure to enjoy all the wonderful posts rounded up here this week by the lovely Sarah Grace Tuttle. 

 

Thanks for coming by.  I'll be away on the road next week but back via Halloween broom on the 31st! Mwah ha ha....

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers!  It's the last week of August - does that mean the dog days of summer are coming to an end for another year? 

 

Our two-year-old Keeshond, Rookie, recently discovered that the coolest place in the house is inside the bathtub in the hall bathroom. Yep, that's where you'll find him....

 

The current issue of Frogpond (Haiku Society of America) contains a poem of mine written last winter.  But maybe if it's still hot where you are, it will transport you to a moment of cool!

 

snow day

my phone fills

with pictures

 

©Robyn Hood Black

 

Frogpond Volume 48:2

Spring/Summer 2025

 

PS - Anybody else old enough to remember KING BIDGOOD'S IN THE BATHTUB ["and he WON'T get out!"] by Audry and Don Wood?  It won the Caldecott in 1986; we discovered it with our wee ones in the 1990s.

 

Thanks for coming by, and please go enjoy all the Poetry Friday goodness hosted today by the shockingly clever Karen Edmisten. :0)

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers!  We are more than halfway through Poetry Month. Time flies! 

 

April 17 is (was) International Haiku Poetry Day.  You can learn more about that here.

 

Each year, among its celebrations, The Haiku Foundation hosts the Earthrise Rolling Haiku Collaboration.  Haiku poets around the world are invited to submit haiku on a particular theme, with the editors choosing a "seed" poem to start it all off.  In theory, folks would add their poems at dawn, wherever they are.  But it's Thursday afternoon as I write this, and I just added a poem. It's dawn-o'clock somewhere. 

 

You can click that link to read about this year's theme and read several poems editor Jim Kacian included for inspiration, as well as the seed poem. 

 

In short, the poems relate to glaciers this year.  An apt image and metaphor for so many explorations.  

 

In snooping around online about my own area's geologic history, I wondered how far south glaciers came in the ice age.  They didn't cover the Southern Appalachians, which is one reason we have one of the most biologically diverse temperate regions in the world.  The geologic history (lots of species moved down here when the ice encroached), and the topography and climate (many variations of elevation and all kinds of microhabitats exist) - plus the stability of the mountain range - make for amazing discoveries around every bend. 

 

Because a haiku needs juxtaposition, and I like to write poems connected to my own sensory and lived experiences, I wondered if I could somehow incorporate the recent wildfires in our area. 

 

The Table Rock complex fire was the largest in upstate South Carolina's history, burning more than 15,000 acres last month. (My husband and I have a special connection to Table Rock, as that's where he proposed decades ago when we were at Furman, and we hiked it again year before last.) Turns out it also has a pond with roots in the Ice Age!  Who knew?  I don't know how the pond fared with the fire, but I hope it will live to see another mellinium or ten.  

 

 

wildfire smoke
a Pleistocene pond
in the watershed

 

Robyn Hood Black

 

 

Here's to slowing down for a poetic moment or two this week and this month....  To read the rolling haiku, some of which are responses to other posted poems, click here.

Our multi-talented and ever-reflective Jone Rush MacCulloch has the Roundup this week; Thanks, Jone.  Remember to follow the 2025 Kidlit Progressive Poem. And for all-things-Poetry-Month in the Kidlit bloggie realm, see Jama's roundup here.

I won't have a post next week, as it's our son Seth's and his bride Ginnie's wedding weekend! :0) Enjoy the rest of Poetry Month, and I'll see you with the May flowers. 

 

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)

 

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! 

 

Greeetings, Poetry Lovers!  I've missed you as I've been popping in and out of town and in and out of here recently. This week, I'm on board to celebrate Clara's Kooky Compendium of Thimblethoughts and Wonderfuzz, the latest (and most amazing) collaborative poetic genius-work from Pomelo Books, a.k.a. Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong. 

 

I thought I'd have a fulsome review to share earlier this fall, but... Helene.  I'm thrilled to see all the good press this one-of-a-kind anthology has been receiving since it splashed into the kid-literary pond last month, both among our PF family and in the wider world!  In fact, last Friday over at Jama's Alphabet Soup - the crème de la crème of blogs in my book (and lots of others), Clara and her quirky crew were the main course.  So for a really good review and explanations and insights and sneak peeks, please go fill your bowl here. (But then come back and keep reading! And look up other wonderful reviews, too.)

 

It was fun to work on poems for this project, and then wait with bated breath to see what in the world Janet and Sylvia were cooking up.  We knew it was something that took a lot of editorial and creative wrangling, and something that would be unlike any other collection.  

 

When I started reading my own copy, my first thought was, "Wow - I wish I had had a book like this when I was growing up!" This fun and somewhat indescribable treasure offers space for curiosity and creativity to run wild.  I'm glad I'll be able to share it with grandchildren when they're a wee bit older.

 

The line illustrations by Frank Ramspott bring to life all the imaginings and characters and poetry within, but don't overpower all the layers of text.  And I do love all the layers.  I might read and write haiku because I NEED the spareness it requires/provides, but that is probably because I'm actually the opposite of a minimalist. I wonder if Clara is a minimalist or a... maximalist?? Nope, that's not the right word. I'll have to wonder and think on that a bit.

 

Thare are more than 150 poems between the covers of this book, and I'm delighted to share the two I've got in there.  

 

The first was in response to Janet and Sylvia's question, "Can you write a poem about siblings?"

 

SIBLINGS

 

Take the "r" out of brother, and what do you get?

BOTHER! That's what. He makes me upset.

 

Take the "i" out of sis, and what does it make?

 "Ss" – like a hiss - the sound of a snake!

 

Please take them both, take them out of my sight.

Then I know everything will be all _ _ ght.

 

I said, everything will be all _ _ ght.

Hmmm.

 

Okay, please put back the "r," and return the "i," too –

I have to admit, I would miss those two.

 

©Robyn Hood Black

 

I dearly love my brother, Mike, though growing up, we probably both sometimes felt the way the narrator of this poem feels!  I got TWO bonus sisters when my mother remarried right before I went off to college - Carla and Sharon.  Love them too!

 

My other poem was a response to writing about syllables.  I do love me some syllables. And a challenge. 

 

 

ONE-ON-ONE

 

"I am Worm,"

said Worm.

"I have no feet.

"I am long and smooth.

"My name has one sound."

 

 

"Caterpillar!"

announced Caterpillar.

"Appendages galore.

"Spectacular segments, moving together.

"Melodious appellation!"

 

"Branches beckon," declared Caterpillar.

"Jubilant journeys!"

 

"I am off to the dirt," said Worm.

"Have a nice day."

 

©Robyn Hood Black

 

Thanks for reading. Oh, and speaking of words and wordplay, they require letters.  I've been having some fun in the studio with letters.  (See what I did there?) Just in time for stocking stuffer season, I'm assembling some fun little necklaces using vintage miniature Scrabble tiles. (Here's the link; I've got a rare 20-percent-off holiday sale going on.)

 

Here's hoping your thoughts and wonders leave you inspired and comforted and rested or energized, whichever you need. I'm sure you'll find poems you need over at There is No Such Thing as a Godforsaken Town, where our wonderful Ruth is rounding us up from Kampala, Uganda, with her usual thought-provoking, community-building offerings.  Thank you, Ruth!