Roberta Writes – Sunday Stills, Purple and Tuesday Tanka

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Terri’s Sunday Stills prompt this week is purple. Purple is not my favourite colour but I do like mauve and the more pinky purples. You can join in Terri’s challenge here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2023/05/14/sunday-stills-monthly-color-challenge-in-a-purple-haze/

Maroon day lily after the rain
Purple shoes and handbag
Purple hair and trousers
Purple fondant flowers

Tanka Tuesday

Terri also provided the picture for this week’s Tanka Tuesday challenge hosted by Colleen. You can join in here: https://wordcraftpoetry.com/2023/05/09/tankatuesday-weekly-poetry-challenge-no-319-5-9-2023/

Shackled

Elusive freedom

Hovers just beyond my grasp

Shackled as I am

By my man-made needs and wants

Which bind me tightly

By Robbie Cheadle

This is an additional haiku I wrote which is unrelated to the challenge

Lonely Death

Outliving your friends

Means there is no one to mourn

When death comes calling

By Robbie Cheadle

Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

Published

71 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Sunday Stills, Purple and Tuesday Tanka”

    1. HI Timothy, these are made of sugar dough or fondant and I used them for cakes. I hadn’t heard of claymation but I looked it up and see my favourite Wallace and Gromit and Morph are claymation. I am going to look into it. Thanks so much.

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  3. Excellent photos, art, and that top day lily took my breath away. I love purple, but dusky pinks are soothing too. Those fondant shoes!! Adorable. You tanka is poignant, and I know how hard it is to work and write! My hat is off to you. The last senryu, really touches my heart! 🩷

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  7. I love your poem inspired by my image, Robbie! Like the flowers are shackled to the levee 😉 The red purples of the spectrum are so rich and beautiful and you captured them beautifully in your fondant, and that stunning day lily! Always great to see your posts and poems, enjoy the rest of your Mother’s Day, or at least I hope it was lovely 🙂

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  12. I love the colour of that Lily Robbie!
    With regards to the poem “Lonely Death”. I would say that person has had a long wonderful life. All of the friends he/she said goodbye to, they can now say “hello” to!

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      1. You lived on and survived the longest but I can imagine the loneliness. It reminds me of the science fiction novel “The forever war” where the protagonist live a thousand years due to relativistic effects and everyone he ever knew was long gone when he retired from military service.

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  15. That second one really hit home. That happened to my grandfather. His contemporaries were all long gone by the time he died at 102. He remarked as much to me. Of course he had us, but it’s difficult to watch your generation disappear. (K)

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  21. I love the photos, Robbie. The raindrops on the flower are gorgeous. I enjoyed both poems, but the final one is so true. I once knew a lady who had outlived everyone she knew, and it made her very sad. She’d have no one to mourn her when she died.

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  23. Your maroon lily is gorgeous, Robbie, and your fondant purples brought a smile. (You’re so creative). I think you need a break, my friend. I know how shackled feels, and it’s not sustainable for too long. Beautiful but sad poems.

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    1. Hi Diana, the shackled is more overarching. None of us can escape from the routines and demands of our lives. We create our bonds through our own wants and desires. My hubby’s grandmother passed last night after a short hospitalization. She was 101. Michael is also unwell and his blood pressure is very high. He is having a whole lot of test done again. My mood was a bit dark when I wrote these poems. I read a quote yesterday that read “Poems only come when one has almost lost the ability to utter a word.”

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      1. What an emotional quote, Robbie. It almost brought tears to my eyes after reading your comment. I’m so sorry for the loss of your hubby’s grandmother, and I feel your deep worries regarding Michael’s health. I could sense the darkness (and exhaustion?) in your poems. My heart goes out to you all. I hope you get the support and answers you need. Huge hugs. ❤

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    1. HI Jan, it is sad, but Granny, who passed last night at the age of 101, had a lovely life right to the end. She lived with her daughter and granddaughter and they looked after her very well. Her son visited from Canada last year and her grandson was here in December. She had a wonderful and long life.

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  27. Another creative and poignant post, Robbie. Those shoes and handbag are adorable. Your haiku hit home as my FIL just turned 100 a week ago, and since then, his body is rapidly declining. He’s really suffering physically and it’s so hard to watch. Only a couple of his friends are still living. Everyone else has passed. 💗

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    1. HI Lauren, I wrote that poem in a fit of melancholy. Hubby’s grandmother was in hospital. She has subsequently passed (last night) at the age of 101. HIs mother isn’t having a funeral as it is only the close family who will attend. She doesn’t have any friends or siblings any more. It feels rather weird and lonely.

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  28. Hi Robbie, The haiku, which is unrelated to the challenge, hits hard. And the first one feels like you’re in anguish. I read from one of your comments that Michael’s unwell. I pray he heals soon. I know it’s exhausting for you and for him. You’re strong, Robbie. God will take care.
    The photographs are lovely. XXX

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