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/




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
I smile thinking the purples of the world. Good poem, Robbie …. and I love the image above Shackled.
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HI Frank, that is a lovely image provided by Terri. Thank you.
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Beautiful day lily, clay pieces and poems. You unrelated ku is relatable. Have you ever done claymation?
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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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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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Hi Colleen, Terence’s grandmother, aged 101, is dying. She is in organ failure in hospital. I know it has been hard for her to lose all her friends and siblings over the years.
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I like purple, but some purples more than others. My favorite is dark puce. That’s a stunning lily, and your fondant creations are amazing as usual!
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HI Vera, thank you, I love those lilies and have made some out of fondant. They are difficult to construct as I have to wire each petal.
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Another excellent, diversified post, Robbie! The images are great, and your poetry is poignant.
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Thank you, Dave. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
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Happy Mother’s Day, Robbie!
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Thank you, Jacqui, and to you.
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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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HI Terri, thank you. It was a busy day as I hosted my parents and sisters for breakfast. I had to look for purple among my pictures. I realised it is not a colour I use that often.
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Beautiful Robbie, I don’t want to outlive my friends💜
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Hi Willow, I am sure you saw this with your MIL. It is a little tough to lose everyone you love.
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Hi Robbie, yes I did and it’s very very sad 💜
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Purple was my favorite color when I was in high school. I still like it–but not to excess.
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HI Liz, Michael loves purple. He has a lot of purple shirts and hoodies. I am not a huge fan, I prefer yellow, orange and pink (but not dark pink).
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You’re plucking heartstrings all throughout this post, Robbie! I love those wee shoes and purse. ❤
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HI Annette, I made six sets of shoes and handbags for a 50th birthday cake. I did enjoy making them.
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Robbie, 2 beautiful and powerful poems.
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Thank you.
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You’re welcome.
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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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HI Wayne, that is a lovely way to look at it. I think it is hard to be the last surviving member of your family though. Our granny definitely missed her husband and siblings.
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I’ve lost 4 from our family with three left. It is what it is.
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Yes, my mom is one of the youngest of eight children. Granny certainly made the most of her life.
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The last poem is a bittersweet observation. Happy Mother’s Day.
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Thank you, Thomas. It is hard to be the last surviving member of your family and the last of all your friends.
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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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I loved both the photos and the poetry. Thank you, Robbie!
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My pleasure, Jennie. I’m glad you enjoyed this post.
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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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Yes, my husband’s grandmother, aged 101, is currently in hospital. She is dying as her organs are all failing. It is dreadful. It is so much nicer if people slip away in their sleep.
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You’ve done a great job showing the magic of purple. Here’s hoping for freedom to be within reach of whoever needs it.
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Thank you, JoAnna. None of us are truly free, we are all slaves to the system.
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Great poems, Robbie! That second poem is quite powerful. Well done!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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Beautiful 🙂
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Love all the purples, and identify with the Lonely Death haiku. I ponder that situation often.
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Profound thoughts, Robbie. Deep purple?
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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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It amazes me, the amount of patience and artistry involved in your fondant creations! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Thank you, Penny.
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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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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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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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Thank you, Diana 😊💗
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Definitely feeling that loss of friends haiku! Sad but true.
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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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Hi Robbie, I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day. Your photographs and poetry are brilliant!
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HI Charles, I am delighted you liked this post.
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Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Please enjoy the excellent creativity in Robbie Cheadle’s post!
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Thank you for sharing, Charles.
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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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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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I’m so sorry, Robbie. Sending hugs…💞
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Thanks 😊
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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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Hi Smitha, thank you for your kind comments. Michael is unwell and needs to go for a series of further tests. The appointments are booked 😊💚
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Wishing you loads of strength, Robbie, and prayers for Michael to heal🩷
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and many natural needs and wants beyond even those!!
Well written, Roberta ❤ ~ Your poetry is so relatable…
Much love,
David
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Thank you, David 💓
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Wonderful Tanka, Roberta!
I feel the man-made needs and wants” as I see the purple flowers look out on the blurred horizon.
Fabulous!
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Hi Resa, I am delighted you enjoyed this poem. I tried to grab hold of emotional impressions when I wrote it 🌹
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You suceeded!
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Great Photos and the fondant shoes – perfect. Profound and thoughtful poems. Life and its experiences make us question a lot in life.
I hope all is well with you and your family.
Love Bella
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HI Bella, thank you for your lovely comment. I’m pleased you like the poems.
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Oh how I love the little girl and hummingbird. A sweet post.
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Thank you
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