I'm so excited to be able to spotlight the talents of Haiku Garden's special guest today: children's author, poet, and artist Robyn Hood Black. Robyn is a versatile writer, having published fiction and non-fiction children's books, as well as a variety of poetry in anthologies, magazines and top-notch journals. She is also an accomplished artist with a penchant for "literary art with a vintage vibe." I highly recommend her Etsy shop, artsyletters, as a great place to start your holiday shopping!
Robyn describes haiku as a "sparely crafted poetry which offers endless depth." Not only do I admire her talents in this elegant and economical genre, but I benefit from her gifts as a teacher, as well. On her website, she encourages visitors, "poets and readers of any age," to explore their own haiku journeys with online resources that include a haiku resources list, how-to guides for children, and inspiring samples of her own haiku.
On Robyn's blog, Life on the Deckle Edge, she provides even more inspiration. Currently she is running a series called "We Haiku Here." The series, which will continue into December, introduces us to several outstanding haiku poets from The Southeast Chapter of The Haiku Society of America.
Today, however, is all about Robyn, and with that, I give you today's little ditty:
cold front –
an urgent wind
at my back
-Modern Haiku, Winter/Spring 2012
(c) Robyn Hood Black. All rights reserved.
Robyn let me have my pick of haiku on her website and I selected this one because it hits me where I live. Not only does it reflect the sudden shock of late autumn in North Florida, but it also mirrors my state of mind at this time of year-- that sense of urgency always at my back, breathing down my neck and giving me cold shivers. Sort of like this Wind God by Japanese painter, Ogata Kōrin.
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| Ogata Kōrin [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons |
Thank you, Robyn, for spending time in the Haiku Garden today. I look forward to your continued lessons in the art of haiku, so that I, too, can condense life into potent nuggets of truth.
So nice to see Robyn here, Michelle. The haiku is something I haven't attempted very often, should read more of Robyn's tips. This one does say more than about that change arriving, pushing us forward whether we want to go or not! And your picture of the wind god, rather scary in the movement! Thanks to you and to Robyn!
ReplyDeleteAlthough haiku was a form I always loved as a child, I agree that it's somewhat more intimidating as an adult. I marvel at the depths they can go! Thanks so much for stopping by, Linda.
DeleteSo very honored to be featured on your terrific blog today, Michelle - and thanks for spreading the haiku love! :0) The Japanese print you found is just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt was my pleasure to have you here! Never enough haiku love. :)
DeleteOkay, I'm adding more "haiku love" to the mix! Great post and great haiku!
ReplyDeleteYou live the love well, Diane. Thanks for your support. :)
Delete(Hi, Diane - I still think you compose haiku in your sleep. Thanks for the kind words.) ;0)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how people think haiku is the easiest thing to write (because it's short) -- it intimidates me! Robyn crafts it so well.
ReplyDeleteThat wind god is the scariest troll pickle I've ever seen.
I hear you, Tabatha! Gone are the days of 17 syllables...easy, peasy, Japaneasy.
DeleteYou like that troll pickle, huh? Now I know what to get you for Christmas. ;)
You two are TOOOO funny! Troll pickle!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words, Tabatha. And perhaps you can give haiku a whirl? The best inspiration for me re. writing haiku is reading, reading, reading lots of poems - then going for a walk! With several journals online (or samples) these days, you could keep yourself busy with lots of high-quality examples! :0)
I love your haiku, Robyn! Haiku is such a pristine poetic form, and this one is just perfect. Thanks so much for sharing this with us, Michelle! = )
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Becky. I'm looking forward to featuring your wonderful writing here soon!
DeleteI love Robyn's haiku...and I also love the fact that one can rearrange the lines in different orders to create a new meaning, such as:
ReplyDeleteat my back -
an urgent wind
cold front
Very cool... er, interesting observation! Looking forward to featuring you here soon, Matt. :)
DeleteBecky - thanks so much! And I'll look forward to seeing your feature here on Michelle's terrific blog.
ReplyDeleteTo Matt: Ahhh.... you've discovered one of my secrets. I actually love it if I can work a haiku so that the middle line not only acts as a pivot (can work with first or third), but the first and third lines could work together as well. (So you could also consider - "cold front - at my back") It's intriguing to look at a journal and see how many poems (poets) play with lines in these kinds of ways.