Roberta Writes – Thursday Doors, CFFC and W3 Prompt #79

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My photographs for Dan’s Thursday Doors are of the doors leading on to the private pool area at Madikwe Hills. On our first morning, I saw these cute dassies drinking out of our plunge pool – so adorable! And such a privilege. You can join in Dan’s challenge here: https://nofacilities.com/2023/11/02/ellington-turn-around/

Next up is Cee’s CFFC: Sticks and stones challenge. You can join in here: https://ceenphotography.com/2023/10/31/cffc-sticks-and-stones/

I took this picture of a dassie in one of the trees when we were walking back to our room. Look how cute it is with its tongue sticking out.

I got these amazing pictures of a cheetah on a huge rock surveying the area for a potential meal. Lucky! Lucky! Lucky!

Lastly, I got this stunning night-time picture of a warthog in an aardvark hole.

If you would like to know more about warthogs living in aardvark holes then you can read my poem in Lion Scream – flagrant self promotion peeps!

W3 Prompt #79

This is the prompt provided by Ms. D:

Deanna’s prompt guidelines

  • Write a “Septolet” that refers to something that is held, something that one might hold.

Septolet?

The Septolet is a poem consisting of exactly seven lines containing exactly fourteen words with a break anywhere in between the two verses. Both verses deal with the same thought and create a picture.

Hold my hand

By way of background, Michael has had a better year than last year’s disaster. BUT … there are still problems and he’s been sick with sinus infections three times and had a hospitalisation due to cortisone induced high blood pressure. Subsequent to that interlude, he has lost 20 kilograms on a new low sodium diet and is on BP pills. It has helped and he is less tired and sluggish.

A few weeks ago when he had the latest sinus infection, 6 weeks on the heels of the previous one, the ENT doctor did another CT scan and discovered that his deformed left upper sinus is completely blocked by scar tissue and cannot drain. The short summary is that he is having more unavoidable surgery on Tuesday, 5 December. We are trying to manage the pressure headaches over the next few weeks while he writes year end examinations with pain killers.

This poem is about this surgery:

His eyes

Hold fear

As do mine

***

“Son

Take my hand

Squeeze it

Tightly”

You can join in W3 Prompt #79 here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2023/11/01/w3-prompt-79-weave-written-weekly/

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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113 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Thursday Doors, CFFC and W3 Prompt #79”

  2. Such wonderful photos Robbie as you say such a privilege nature is amazing!
    I am sorry Michael is still having such awful Healy problems…
    I feel for you both and the rest of the family as it effects you all. Your poem really moved me as a mother ….it’s perfect 💜💜

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  4. I am sorry to read about your son, Robbie. 💙

    The photos are amazing. I had to look up dassie, and I discovered they’re close relatives of elephants! (And that private pool area is gorgeous.) I love the cheetah photos and the warthog–wow!

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        1. Hello David, Michael was born with no drainage for his sinuses and very narrow nasal passages. He nearly died twice as a baby. He also has chronic asthma. The doctors finally worked out the problem when he was six but, by then, repeat infections had resulted in a superbug and a biofilm in his sinuses. These collectively caused an autoimmune reaction so his sinus cavities became catacombs of cartilage. The infections also stopped his upper sinuses from developing so he has none on the right hand side and a small deformed one on the left. We are making progress as the doctors have more or less worked out all the issues. It’s taken 17 years though.

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  10. Great photos, Robbie, and those dassies ARE incredibly cute!

    So sorry about Michael’s continuing medical issues. He — and you and your family — desperately need a break from that. Hoping 2024 will be a much better year for Michael’s health.

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    1. Hi Dave, I thought of you and Rebecca when I posted these pictures. I thought you would like them – smile! Thank you for your kind comment about Michael. I live in endless hope for a final success. Thank goodness I am an optimist and believe it will all come right eventually.

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  12. I’m sorry Michael requires another surgery. I’ll keep him and your family in my prayers.

    I had to look up what a “dassie” is. 😀 Your photos are amazing!

    I meant to leave this in a comment you left on my site, but I have been under the weather and haven’t gotten to comments just yet. I thought it would be rude to postpone it any longer. I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind donation. xoxo

    I hope Michael doesn’t suffer while you wait, and I hope your weekend is good. xo

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  13. I am not familiar with dassies but they look a bit like a Canadian gopher or a prairie dog. They are cute. I’m sorry to hear about Michael’s ongoing health issues and pray he sails through the operation. The poem is perfect. xo

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  14. The dassies are adorable, and you got some great photos. The Cheetah is magnificent, and you captured him at his best! I hope Michael gets through the school process prior to the operation. I hope that goes well. He has certainly endured much. I hope he catches a break soon.

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  16. Robbie, your poetry at the end breaks my heart. This must be so tough on you, Michael, and your family. Stay strong. I’ll send lots of healing prayers Michael’s way. You took some amazing photos. I love seeing the animals! 🩵

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    1. Hi Colleen, thank you very much. I appreciate your kindness. We were so lucky with our sightings on this trip. I have more pictures to share. I will be sharing my poems for Tanka Tuesday tomorrow. I keep writing more.

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  18. Oh, no. I’m sorry to hear that Michael is facing yet another surgery. The septolet is the perfect form for your expression of maternal love.

    You’ve outdone yourself in the photography department with today’s group. The sticks and stone dassie takes the prize, of course. What an incredible shot!

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    1. Hi Liz, thank you for your kind words. It is enough now! We had such incredible good photography luck on this last trip. I have many more pictures to share. The dassies are very cute. I was in the dassie group when I was a Brownie many moons ago.

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  19. Robbie, I agree with Liz about the photos, they’re among your best. I’m not familiar with dassies. They don’t look like a critter that could climb trees — which made that photo very fun.
    Your poem is touching. Blast it all, just when you could see a light at the end of the tunnel — or sinus cavity… I’m so sorry to hear the news about Michael. I know that among all the other emotions you both are utterly exhausted from it. Sending a huge hug. ❤

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    1. Hi TEagan, thank you for your kind comments about Michael. It is very hard, but we keep moving forward. Hugs. I’m delighted you like my pictures. I have a good camera now (well, 15x zoom which works for me) and we had the luck of the devil on this last trip.

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  20. I love the idea of nature in the form of dassies arriving in your backyard. We get ducks in our pool, not much else. Yikes to Michael and his ongoing health issues. I bet you’re so proud of him keeping on despite it, with his learning and testing and more.

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    1. Hi Tim, thank you very much for your kindness. We were so lucky with our sightings on this trip. The warthog picture was so fortunate as we were driving back in the dark and the guide picked him up with the spotlight. I’m the only person who got a picture.

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  25. I’m so sorry Michael has to suffer through yet more pain and more surgery. I hope all goes well. Your poem expresses the maternal bond beautifully. Sending my best to both of you.

    The dassies look like giant hamsters. And the cheetah is truly magnificent. (K)

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  26. This is perhaps the most powerful poem you have written. It certainly gave my throat a big lump. Best to Michael. I have never heard of a dassie. They are so cute! Your cheetah and warthog photos are excellent. Lucky you to capture these.

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    1. Hi Jennie, I hadn’t intended to write a sad poem for this prompt, but this is what came. The operations are harder to face these days because of past disasters, but Michael’s doctor is well prepared for the challenges. I’m so pleased you liked these lucky shots. We were very fortunate.

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  27. Sorry to hear Michael continues to suffer different illnesses, Robbie! As parents, how much we want to take over their pain, if we could! Michael’s courage to face the fear is because of your love and your care. You’re always there for him. Holding your hand soothed his pain. That’s all you can do, Robbie. Be there for him. I hope Michael will get better and have a stronger immune system.

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    1. HI Bernadette, thank you for your kind words. I believe that is true. I’ve never really think about it, but I’ve always believed that happiness is found outside the self and through bringing joy to others and finding pleasure in nature and family.

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  29. I’d never heard of a dassie before. You sure got some great photos and memories.
    So sorry to hear of further troubles for Michael. He’s lucky to have such a loving and supportive mother. Your septolet shows the story; when we have fear we hold one another to let it go.
    Hold on, this surgery will get him feeling well.

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  34. Hi Robbie, to begin with, I had to google a dassie. 🙂 Now I know what they are, and in English, they’re called rock hyrax. It’s good to learn something new. Your photos are incredible as always, and that cheetah is gorgeous. That poetry form is also new to me, but your poem is so heartbreaking. The fear is palpable. I hope all goes smoothly for Michael in December and will keep him and you all in my thoughts. Hugs xo

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  38. Oh Robbie, sorry to hear about Michael. Pray all goes well.

    You are amazing Carrying on.

    Great photos. The dassies are too cute.

    Your poem, heartfelt.

    Mum has got some weird illness, been antibiotics and steroids. Sinus and asthma. She says she is getting better. It weird. It been on going since 20th Oct.

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  41. I’m sorry Michael is going through this and hope the surgery will help. I also wonder if heat or cold compresses help the pain at all. Healing prayers going out for Michael’s healing and your peace and comfort. Adorable animals.

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  42. Good grief.
    Best to Michael… and you Robbie!
    What a heartbreak, yet, he is writing exams. Bravo!!!

    The 3 cheetah shots are fantastic. May they bring you the food fortune I feel they hold!

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