Greetings, Poetry Lovers! Nope, I can't believe it's already September either... but it was nice to get a peek at the blue moon/super moon to round out August. (It was so cloudy because of the outer storm bands Wednesday night that it took three attempts. Prayers for all those affected by Idalia. My Florida family folks are all okay.)
The next time we'll have that super-blue combo treat, it will be 2037. Our baby grandson will be old enough to get a learner's permit!
I have hopes for him, and for our world, as we face so many overwhelming challenges. Hope lifts us up - it's the thing with feathers, as our Emily said a century-and-a-half ago.
What is Hope? is also the newest title in the ekphrastic anthology series for young readers from Pomelo Books. Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong have outdone themselves again, offering a collection of 40 poems written in response to photographs, and all sparkling with hope. There's also a great section in the back with resources for readers, writers, and teachers. As with previous titles, 100 percent of the profits from the sale of the book will be donated to the IBBY Children in Crisis Fund. (That is hope in action, right there.)
This book, along with others in the series, sprang forth from an online workshop led by Janet & Sylvia. I was delighted to participate again in one of these magical gatherings, and I'm honored to have a poem included in the volume, pictured above. (Sylvia made wonderful 'poem cards'!) The poems were penned by current and previous workshop participants, along with a few guest poets as well. The opening poem, "World," by Syliva, sets a perfect tone for choosing hope when the world offers so many reasons for anger and sadness. Janet has a very fun poem livening up the middle, "Pickleball." I really enjoyed this one because I had the good fortune, along with fellow contributor Matthew Winter, to get a personal pickleball lesson from Janet herself, and her quick-on-his-feet and fast-with-a-paddle husband, Glenn. (That was in July, at the "Think Poetry" & more gathering at Janet's beautiful home in Washington state. I mentioned this wonderful trip in a blog post here.)
Here's my poem:
Metamorphosis
To look at me,
you might only see
my long body bunching up.
Munching leaves.
Lumbering along a branch,
earth bound.
What you don't see
are my wings.
Yet.
They're there.
Give me a little time.
A place to spin.
A thread of hope.
Soon,
I will stretch iridescent wings
and dance in the wandering wind.
©Robyn Hood Black. All rights reserved.
What is Hope? has just been named a Children's Book Council "Hot Off the Press" Selection for August 2023. (Each month, the CBC highlights new titles identified as great resources for teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents. See the whole August list here.)
Hop on over to Pomelo Books to learn more about this hope-full collection here. You'll find several options for purchase. Easy-peasey clicks, and you'll be adding to our world's supply of HOPE.
Ramona at Pleasures from the Page is gagthering up all the Poetry Friday goodness this week. Thanks, Ramona!