Roberta Writes – Thursday Doors: Blood River Heritage Site and W3 Prompt #70: Wea’ve Written Weekly – The Gun Tree #Doors #poetry #battles

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During our recent trip to KwaZulu-Natal, we visited the Blood River Heritage Site.

This is what Wikipedia says about The Battle of Blood River:

The Battle of Blood River (16 December 1838) was fought on the bank of the Ncome River, in what is today KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa between 464 Voortrekkers (“Pioneers”), led by Andries Pretorius, and an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Zulu. Estimations of casualties amounted to over 3,000 of King Dingane’s soldiers dead, including two Zulu princes competing with Prince Mpande for the Zulu throne. Three Voortrekker commando members were lightly wounded, including Pretorius.

Blood River is of particular interest to me because my husband is a direct descendant of Andre Pretorius.

I mention this landmark battle in my book, A Ghost and His Gold. This is the relevant extract:

Pieter watched the young messenger, whose name was Adrian Opperman, part from his mother, who was one of the women brave enough to have accompanied her husband and son to the laager.

“Goodbye my son. Let your ways be in the fear of the Lord. If I do not see you again on earth, I pray to find you again in heaven.”

His heart constricted at this touching parting and he wondered if they would see each other again. He thought of the wording of the vow taken by his pioneer ancestors, the Voortrekkers, before the Battle of Blood River on the 16th of December 1838 when four hundred and seventy Voortrekkers, led by Andries Pretorius, fought against ten thousand Zulu warriors on the bank of the Ncome River.

We stand here before the Holy God of heaven and earth, to make a vow to Him that, if He will protect us and give our enemy into our hand we shall keep this day and date every year as a day of thanksgiving like a Sabbath, and that we shall build a house to His honour wherever it should please Him, and that we will also tell our children that they should share in that with us in memory for future generations. For the honour of His name will be glorified by giving Him the fame and honour for the victory.

The words of this vow gave Pieter comfort.

These are my doors pictures from The Blood River Heritage Site for Dan Antion’s Thursday Doors challenge. You can join in Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2023/08/31/more-from-morgantown/

Entrance to the museum
Front of one of the replica ox wagons commemorating the battle
Replica of the church that was built to fulfil the Vow detailed above.

W3 Prompt #7: Wea’ve Written Weekly

The Gun Tree by Robbie Cheadle

If you look closely at this tree, you’ll see it is constructed of guns

Guns

Bullets

Shiny new

Ready for use

Against dissenters

Regardless of their cause

Women and children punished

For the actions of their menfolk

Innocent blood amply watering

The ground that once sheltered and protected

Staining the earth black, splashing the growing crops

A fresh graveyard of dead animals and owners

Fragile houses riddled with holes – scene of destruction

Savagery wins

Rules unopposed

People succumb

To new regime

Hope disappears

Tree of life falls

This week’s prompt is as follows:

The change of seasons can be tough on us. It can shake our core and disturb our balance. The trees are a perfect example of how to adapt to changes. The branches and leaves flow with the wind and trees get bare or full of leaves, however, a tree’s strength is in the roots. 

Let the words above inspire you and write a poem in “Tree of Life” poetic form about changes, impermanence, and strength.

‘Tree of Life’ poetic form

  • An uplifting poem in 19 lines;
  • Syllabic: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-4-4-4-4-4-4;
  • Unrhymed;
  • Alignment: Centered

You can read more about it and/or join in here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2023/08/30/w3-prompt-70-weave-written-weekly/

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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106 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Thursday Doors: Blood River Heritage Site and W3 Prompt #70: Wea’ve Written Weekly – The Gun Tree #Doors #poetry #battles”

  5. You shared a compelling passage, Roberta.
    You skillfully weave a poignant moment between Pieter and the young messenger with a touching reflection on ancestral history.
    The heartfelt farewell between mother and son adds depth to the characters, making them relatable and genuine. It touched my heart. I was moved by the emotional connection established in this scene.
    Brilliant touch, the inclusion of the Voortrekkers’ vow, to add a layer of historical context and significance to the narrative. It serves as a reminder of the enduring human spirit and the importance of faith and tradition in the face of challenges.
    History we shouldn’t put aside.
    The passage you shared captures both the personal and historical elements, making it a powerful and thought-provoking moment in the story.

    I remember what an intricate read this book was. A must read.

    And great doors 🙂

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    1. Hi Patricia, thank you for your lovely comment, I am glad you appreciated the history in this book. It is my small effort to preserve the past for others. My stories are all intricate and I’ve been criticised for it but my mind is what it is. 💞🌼

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  6. Holy shamoley, Robbie! There’s so much that’s new and interesting in this post ~ I knew nothing about any of it! Thank you for teaching me 😀

    And your poem is kinda the opposite of “uplifting”, but it’s gorgeous in its brutality! Well done!

    Much, much love,
    David

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  9. Well done, Robbie! All these varied elements are tied together so beautifully. Thanks for sharing the personal connection — that added more depth. The Gun Tree would be a great book title. It makes me think of something like Stephen King’s Black Tower/Gunslinger series. Although I wish they would turn all the guns into trees like the one you photographed. Hugs

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    2. HI Teagan, mankind can’t seem to progress beyond war. It is strange given our abilities to progress. If we turned our minds to the lightness I am sure we could achieve very great things. That gun tree fascinated me – created from 600,000 guns that were handed in after the war in Mozambique.

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    1. Hi Darlene, it was a fascinating place to visit. A pivotal battle in the history of South Africa. King Dingane was assassinated after this spectacular defeat. I am intending to write some stories about it. So many ambitions and so little time ….

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  18. A brilliant prompt: “The change of seasons can be tough on us. It can shake our core and disturb our balance. The trees are a perfect example of how to adapt to changes.” I feel the coming of autumn – the leaves are already falling. We need places that remember. Blood River Heritage Site challenges us to seek peaceful ways. Thank you, Robbie for a most excellent post.

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    1. Hi Rebecca, I am delighted you enjoyed it. The Blood River Heritage Site is a privately funded museum. Government has built a museum across the bridge of reconciliation between this museum and the Zulu Cultural Museum on the other side. I’ll feature it next week.

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  31. A tree of life from guns and still men wage war with guns…the town I grew up in has just added an Angel to the front of the Playhouse/theatre the angel is made from knives and yet the young still carry knives and many young lives are still lost through knife crimes…Like your Tree of Life, this statue is both striking and terrifying…with its message…I’ll try to PM you an image on FB.
    The poem is also a work of art and a perfect match with the statue made of knives x

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      1. Yes knife crime is an ongoing problem …Whilst on its National Anti-Violence Tour, the Knife Angel will be located in a different town or city each month…I think that’s a nice idea but will it work…?

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  37. This is a fascinating post.
    The Blood River Heritage Site is a chilling thought to me. Your husband being a descendant of Andries Pretorius is beyond fascinating.

    Great door shots, and your poem is perfect for the theme of this post.

    My fave is the gun tree. Guns, all war machines should be turned into art.
    Seems to me that would be a true tribute to an honest peace.
    I guess I’m dreaming.
    Thank you, Roberta!

    PS! I found “A Ghost and His Gold” on KOBO!
    Yay!
    I just bought it!
    They take PayPal. Yay!
    Okay, it’s in my reader. I’ve got a lot of non-reading on my plate right now. However, it will be the next book I read!

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