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 Scrabble tiles. (I'll share the link to my Etsy shop as soon as I get that up! I've got a rare 20-percent-off 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!