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

 

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! 

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers! This week, I am happy to share the rest of the wonderful New Year Poem Postcard Swap treasures that made their way from many regions of the country to my mailbox.  Thank you, Poetry Friends!  Our Swap wrangler Jone Rush MacCulloch always invites participants to explore the theme of the Lunar New Year (which buys us a few weeks of sending time!), but that is not a requirement.  I'm always delighted to read/see the thoughts, inspirations, and clever creations folks come up with. It's a great way to start a new year, maybe this one more than ever. (And we get to enjoy the word, 'Apricity'!) Enjoy!

 

****

 

CHOOSE JOY

 

LOVE ANYWAY

 

gorgeous handmade prints

strung together ©Mary Lee Hahn

 

 

****

 

 

Apricity

(the warmth of the sun in winter)

 

Awakening the day's

Promise, sun's warmth.

Reaches

Inside the depths of winter's 

Chill

Inviting us to 

Tranquil hearts and souls

Yielding peace.

 

©Rose Capelli

 

 

****

 

 

FEAR

 

I ache whenever I see Liberty faltering.

 

I cringe whenever I hear the fiery blazes.

 

I grieve whenever I think of tomorrow.

 

But not today.

 

Today I will wear my full sunshine

 

and bask in hope where the yesses are.

 

Liberty, look at me.

 

Blazes, hear me.

 

Tomorrow, think of me.

 

 

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

 

©Denise Krebs

 

 

****

 

 

Temptation Wins

 

This is it.  This will be the year.

I'm gonna rein it in.  I'm too old

for these late-night shenanigans.

I gotta leave it to the young-uns.

An ol' Ky-ote can be content

under a sky full of memories

 

leading the pack, the night runs,

the thrill of the chase, all creosote

and rabbit musk - this year, 

I give it up.  I'm two days in,

relyin' on stamina,

controlling the urge, ignoring...

 

aw shit... why do I even try...

Ow-woo!  Yip-yip-yip! Ow-woo!

 

©Patricia J. Franz

 

   

****

 

PERKS OF BEING A SNAKE

 

  At birth a snake

     is qualified

 to taste the world,

with tongue as guide

 

  Need some room

  inside your head?

  A snake's jaw is 

  known to spread

 

Snakes molt as needed 

   (shed their skin)

Now is a good time

      to begin

 

©Tabatha Yeatts

 

 

****

 

 

iris is a waterwheel

pupil is a solar cell

eyelash is a gear & sprocket

muscle is a thermal well

arm is a rotor blade

blood is an ocean swell

 

body is a generator

heart is a battery

I believe that we can solve

our energy emergency

 

©Heidi Mordhorst

 

 

****

 

 

gather

ingredients

without a recipe - 

trust that your instincts can

               create

wonders

 

©Sarah Grace Tuttle

 

 

****

 

 

I Walk the Beach at Dawn

 

The tide crashes onto the skerries

rocking and roiling, stirring up

sand grains, sea kelp, and flotsam

 

a wood snake, last night's driftwood arrival

hisses, take note of your dreams,

I make list in the sand, throw a rock into the sea

 

for health and joy of those I love

for guidance from the ancestors

the asking prayer for the year

 

©Jone Rush MacCulloch

 

 

****

 

 

moody, gray, cloudy

 

day, a stand of aspen

 

trees golden leaves

 

light our way

 

©Gail Aldous

 

 

 ****

 

 

Year of the Snake Etched in Stillness

 

evening settles

in winter's shadowed silence

sparkling like diamonds

silhouetting against the sky

nature spreads its charm

 

©Carol Varsalona

 

 

****

 

Advice from a titmouse

 

         Show up

       Be curious

   Don't let your size

determine your goals

       Hold on tight

when the wind blows

 

        Never forget...

You were made for flying!

 

©Molly Hogan

 

 

****

 

 

 To Your Future Self

 

Tell me about 2025.

Tell me about rising and shining.

Tell me about moving and making.

 

Tell me about white roses in crystal vases.

Tell me about purple silks and silver stars.

Tell me about mothering your soft animal you.

 

Tell me who you lifted.

Tell me who you held.

Tell me why you cared.

 

Tell me what you forgave.

Tell me when you bowed your head.

Tell me that you made it.

 

©Mona Voelkel

 

 

****

 

These poems and images (many original or by family members), along with the few I posted week before last, have been lovely gifts with which to start the new year and arm my mind and soul.  Now it's time to turn out attention to the holiday of LOVE - Carol at Beyond Literacy Link is ready to help us all do just that as she's hosting the Roundup this week.  Thanks, Carol!  (Also, speaking of postcards, I sent a bunch of original Valentine postcards to the shop in Beaufort, SC, where I still have my wares for sale, and listed a few in my Etsy shop.)

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers! Attempting to post from my phone at the airport (super quick trip to see my folks), so, short and sweet. 
HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!

Here are my postcards I sent for Jone's fabulous New Year Poem Postcard Swap. 

year of the snake

beware the comfort

of old skin

 

Robyn Hood Black

 

I don't even know who is hosting this week, but I'm sure it will be fabulous. I so appreciate this community. 
More soon - boarding is about to start!

 

xoxo Robyn

Howdy... I'd planned to share more New Year Poem Postcards - and I will later - but it's taken me all day long (Thursday) to finish mine!  On my way to mail shortly. ;o)

House-full coming tomorrow for the weekend (family birthdays!).  I'll share my own postcard poem & art next week and more wonderful gifted ones after that. 

Ever-talented Tabatha has the Roundup this week at The Opposite of Indifference. Thanks, Tabatha!