Welcome to Poetry Friday! This week we are hosted by Cathy at her blog: Merely Day by Day HERE. Stop by and find out what she has for us this week.Thank you, Cathy, for hosting!
I went for a browse at a local bookstore, thinking about picture books that would make good Christmas gifts. As I love non-fiction and nature, this caught my eye. I had heard the author speak recently about how long it took for him to find a publisher for this. It puzzles me, as it seems a fascinating topic.
I AM SMOKE, written by Henry Herz and illustrated by Mercè López, is engaging and beautiful. Smoke is, of course, an integral part of recycling in nature, but smoke also is was used throughout history in religious rituals, in such things as the preparation of food the calming of bees and more.
I like the poetic language and scientific fact combined:
I am smoke. I twirl in dark dance from every campfire. Flickering flames work their mysterious magic on burning branches. I am born a whirling, roiling mist of carbon dioxide, water vapor, and ash.
“I am smoke” is a striking beginning, personifying smoke, making it a character.
Fire and smoke is of course dangerous, too, but this book helps us get to see the other side, how it has served human beings as well. Below, we see smoke as a means of communication. Notice the colors in the art. I found the pictures haunting.
For centuries, I helped Chinese, Native Americans of the Plains and Southwest, and others signal one another over long distances.
You will have to see the rest for yourself, of course, but I hope I have peaked your curiosity.
Today I will share a poem about the Christmas weather outside my window. As I wrote it it began to remind me of THE PASTURE one of my favorite poems by Robert Frost.
DECEMBER DAY (Inspired by The Pasture, by Robert Frost.) Whistling wind. Dusky sky. Grass crunches under feet. Snow flurries needle noses, It's not a bad day, you say, for a walk, You come too. © Janice Scully 2021
Have a great weekend. My husband and I have been invited to spend Christmas away with a large number of family of all ages. Not sure what to do this year. I’m vaccinated and boostered. I wonder if others are unsure as I am.
Thank you, Cathy, for hosting!
Janice, like you, I love when scientific facts are presented in a poetic way! Thanks for the look at SMOKE, and I accept your poetic invitation for a walk! xo
Thanks for sharing about I Am Smoke. I’d been curious about it because recently Henry shared on FB that he just sold two more books, I Am Gravity and I Am Light. Sounds like a fascinating series. I do like learning about the positive aspects of fire and smoke.
Enjoyed your poem. Lovely sensory details!
I will look for this one, Janice. And yes, the illustrations are lovely, too. I love your ‘you come, too’ after ‘The Pasture’. We had our first snow come in early this am, now blue skies & wind but pretty from the window! As for your gathering, we are still only family, all vaccinated & boosted. But I am also still going out but we have a mask mandate so I do feel safer. It remains a hard decision, doesn’t it? Best wishes to you!
I am intrigued by “I am Smoke”, Janice. Thanks for the introduction to this PB – wood smoke is one of my favorite smells. And yes, a poetic walk with you on this December day would be lovely. 🙂
Thank you for introducing me to I AM Smoke. I love this line in your poem: “Snow flurries needle noses”
Being vexed and boosted gives me security but I am still careful.
I’m sorry, Jone, but I’m enjoying a bit of a giggle over your typo. Being vexed gives me security sometimes, too! Tee hee!!
Yes, let’s do go for a walk on a “needle nose” December day!
oooooh! need to read this book. I love the illustration–poem pairing. Just beautiful. Thank you for introducing me to it. Ah, inspired by Frost. I will come along too.
Janice, I am instantly fascinated by this book. As you write, the language is poetic. For me, this book broadens our knowledge of the topic, but it also serves to remind us that the concept of topics is infinite. It challenges the very notion of the oft heard classroom lament- ‘I can’t think of anything to write about.’ I shall be seeking this book out to add to my growing collection of books that proudly push the boundaries of what we can write about. Thank you for the alert.
I AM SMOKE is so lovely. The beginning, especially, as you shared. (In fact, I wanted a bit more of that lyricism throughout.) Beautiful poem, Janice–I’ve been sick for weeks with the crud and have not been walking outside. Must get my winter layers together and get back to it. Your poem reminds me why. Also, my husband and I are both vaxxed and boosted. We’re traveling to Atlanta for a funeral in a few days, which makes me very nervous. Although we’re v&b, one of us has had Covid SINCE our booster shot. Very, very unsettling. Good luck with your tough decision–hugs!