When I was in Budapest in 2019, I took a few random pictures of doors. I particularly like the ornate gate featuring the birds. You can join in Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2023/03/16/newton-waltham-leftovers/
Autumn flowers
The cosmos is out in our local park. This means that autumn is official here. I love the cosmos and went to the park to take pictures yesterday late afternoon.
A Poem – The Vanishing Knight
This poem could be about my life but it is more likely to be entirely fictional – smile! I wrote the poem to go with a drawing of an older man’s profile I did in charcoal.
My dream
of a man
a knight
on a white charger
has diminished
whittled away
day by day
Domesticity
when endured daily
and all alone
with a full-time job
and a sick child
for years and years
does that
Chronic illness
never part
of the fairy tale
Joint bread winners
but not
joint caregivers,
joint cleaners,
joint washers, or
joint ironers
Snow White
looked lovely
in an apron
me …
not so much
Then
unexpected illness
over 45 peril
induced by
lifestyle choices
overwork
Leads to …
time in hospital
blood tests
x-rays
doctors visits
Poor health
dissolves the strength
of the carer
and the cared for
creates dependency
until
all that’s left
is another child
What happened
to the dreamy knight
on the white charger?
by Robbie Cheadle
roberta-writes.com 
I love the doors of Budapest. And that poem is amazing!!
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Hi Darlene, Budapest was so interesting. I wrote that poem for International Women’s Day.
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Robbie, my wife and I were in Budapest in 2018 and loved the vitality and eagerness to modernize – which made the classic doors all the more impressive…also, that is a powerful poem…
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Thank you, John. I should have mentioned, the poem is my contribution to International Women’s Day. Budapest was a fantastic visit!
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That poem speaks volumes, Robbie.
Love the doors, especially those gates with the birds. And I didn’t realize you were a talented artist, too. That drawing is fabulous!
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Hi Mae, this is my very first picture but I rather liked it. The poem is a tribute to women everywhere 💕
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I love this post Robbie it is amazing 💜💜
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Thank you, Willow 🤗💓
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A pleasure Robbie 💜
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Powerful poem, Robbie, and your doors are amazing. I especially love the birds on the gate. I’m not surprised that you’re an artist, as well as incredible writer, poet, baker, dancer, and so much more. You astound me. Bravo! 😊
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Hi Gwen, that poem just arrived in my head yesterday. Although written in the first person, I think it reflects the lot of women (still). Your comment made me smile. My mom said something similar. We started art classes together two weeks ago. Such fun 😊
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Wow, the cosmos are so beautiful. I never saw them as a meadow 🤗
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Thanks, BEE. I love the cosmos. So untamed and free.
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I love the peacock grate! Your poem reminds me of the song “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” by Paula Cole.
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Hi Liz, I also loved that gate. I will listen to that song again.
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I woke up with the song in my head. Waking up with a song in my head seems to be happening a lot these days . . .
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Those are beautiful doors, Robbie and I was moved by your poem. Despite life’s trials, my knight is right beside me.
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Hi Barbara, you are fortunate. South Africa is still a patriarchal society. 💓
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The doors are great, especially the metal work. The poem is amazing. We never know what tomorrow will bring. The cosmos are very pretty. We have similar looking flowers, but I’ve never seen a field of flowers like that.
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Hi Dan, we are very lucky to live near a bird sanctuary. This field is on our side of the park. I will walk to the other side over the weekend for more pictures. Isn’t that gate fabulous.
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It is, Robbie. I look forward to the next post.
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I also love that gate, so ornate, yet functional. Your poem is amazing and I can see the similarities to all you have faced in your life. You are moving into autumn, I am looking forward to spring when I get home in ten days.
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Hi Carla, lucky you. I love spring. Autumn is beautiful but I could do without winter.
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Robbie, I agree about the peacock gate — what amazing craftsmanship. This whole post is beautiful.
Wishing you a relaxing weekend. Huge hugs.
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Hi Teagan, I have had the best idea for a series of charcoal drawings. I woke up early and thought of it and couldn’t go back to sleep for excitement.
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That kind of excitement is so wonderful! 🙂 Happy St. Patrick’s day. Hugs!
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‘As long as you’ve got your health’ – old people were always saying that when I was young, but alas it is true.
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Hi Janet, yes, it is true
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a little projection Robbie?
I hope both your husband and son are doing ok.
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Hi Wayne, projection to an extent. Also a summary of what I see and hear around me. Both are doing as well as can be expected. Both are grouchy 😉
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you can tell the grouch twins that they couldn’t be in better hands!
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I love Cosmos. Beautiful poem.
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Me too, thank you 💗
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The gate with the birds IS amazing, Robbie! Great photos, a sublime drawing by you, and, last but not least, an excellent (very depressing 😦 ) poem.
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Hi Dave, there is little real equality for women in my experience. Bankers from the US and UK are generally men and even worse than our locals 🫣. I am inspired to do a series of charcoal drawings with a theme.
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So much to love in this post and so much to relate to…beautiful doors and those flowers I saw similar when we were last in Oz so very pretty I do hope Michael and Terence are doing well Hugs x
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Hi Carol, I’m glad you enjoyed the flowers. I love cosmos. Terence and Michael are doing as well as could be expected but now my younger sister is very I’ll 😞
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Oh Robbie I am so sorry to hear that sending hugs you must wonder like me when all this is going to end xx
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No matter how much we hope for equality, some of us are caregivers, some not. That’s an excellent drawing.
And also beautiful doors. (K)
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Hi Kerfe, equality for women is still a wish, well, here in southern African in any event. My dealings with corporate men worldwide do not indicate it is really different elsewhere.
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I believe that’s correct. Although, interestingly, my father did change his opinions about women working–he was surprised, he said, to find women were just as competent as men (!). He originally thought he could never work for a woman. Not that that changed the fact that my mother did all the household work as well as working outside the home…
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Your doors are wonderful, and your autumn wildflowers are lovely. Your poem is deeply moving. Robbie, you have a hat trick!
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Thank you, Jennie 💗
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You are welcome, Robbie.
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Great selection of door. Your poem is very powerful, Profound and I hope it was cathartic. An extremely heartfelt poem, even if it might be fiction. Hugs much love bella
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Thank you, Bella. The poem is a summary of what I see and hear in life. There is no real equality for women.
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I love the cosmos meadow! And your poem expresses the fact that women often end up picking up the slack, from necessity rather than choice.
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You are an extremely talented artist, Roberta. The sketch is so enigmatic. I love it!
And your poem reads like a tidal wave that rises, rises in intensity, then washes over you to leave a surprisingly calm sea behind. Well done.
Hope all is well.
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Your poem speaks volumes for so many. This is a very clever yet simple statement of many a woman’s life.
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There’s a lot packed into this post. The cosmos are beautiful. I’m amazed at your drawing, and this is one of the rare poems I understand. Wonderful post.
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Fabulous doors… and your excellent poem.
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Fabulous photos of your time in Budapest, Robbie. Cosmos is one of my favourites because they seem to flourish within community. Your poem – “The Vanishing Knight” – gave me pause. Your profound thoughts on transitions from dreams and domesticity to bread winners and caregivers and finally to dependency came through brilliantly. Marriage is a journey that has many twists and turns. Many thanks for the gift of your poetry.
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Oh, Robbie… I know what you mean. If feels like that sometimes doesn’t it? Hang in there. Huge hugs coming your way. 💖
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Those doors are amazing, Robbie, the Cosmos are beautiful, and your poetic words are powerful. Hugs xo
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Thanks Lauren. I’m glad you appreciated this post 💗
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Everything about this post caught and captured my heart! ❤
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Hi Annette, I’m happy to hear that 💚
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I like the ornate gate with what look like peacocks. The flowers are absolutely delightful. Good thing we have the gift of beautiful flowers growing from the earth. Your poem is very real. The dreamy knight always has a flaw or two – some minor, some big flaws. But the flowers still grow, regardless.
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Hi JoAnna, there is no perfection in life or people and things generally don’t turn out as we expected or planned. Nevertheless, as you mention, there are so many small pleasures and joys.
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Your poem is so moving, Robbie. Thinking back, this is probably one of my favorites for the depth of emotion. It really is stunning, my friend. Lovely doors (wow, a gorgeous gate!) and wonderful flowers. I hope your autumn is peaceful. ❤
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Hi Diana, thank you. This is a lovely comment. We went back to the park today and walked a lot further. I got more great flower pictures. I love cosmos season.
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The poem had many layers for me – the apron and women’s roles vibe and the caregiver and care needer highlights
Nice flow and a little sad too
💛💛
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Hi Yvette, this poem is about reality overtaking the dream. It is a little sad. Thank you for reading.
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🙏💛
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Every line speaks! Loved it!
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Thank you
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