Roberta Writes – d’Verse: Running with Horses and Thursday Doors #zebra #poetry #photography

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Dora is the host of this d’Verse prompt. You can read her lovely poem here: https://pilgrimdreams.com/2024/07/23/shadow-riding-in-the-smokies/

Our poetics prompt is simple: horses.

Use horse imagery in any way you like, either as the focus of your poem or in passing. In allusion or metaphor. An ekphrastic. Or just a mention will do.

You can join in this challenge here: https://dversepoets.com/2024/07/23/poetics-running-with-horses/

I’m not a horse (freestyle poem)

Picture caption: Close up of a Zebra’s head and neck by Robbie Cheadle

I am not a horse

But I am an African equine

My coat is distinctive

With black and white stripes

I also have a shadow stripe

Between my black stripes

Picture caption: Zebras on the road. The shadow stripes are clear between the black stripes.

Because I’m a plains zebra

I am also distinctly portly

Thanks to the bacteria

That lives in my gut

It helps me digest my food

But also bloats my stomach

I look fat, even during a drought

I live in a harem

With a single male or stallion

And several females called mares

As well as their baby foals

Picture caption: gorgeous young zebra by Robbie Cheadle

Do not think you can ride me

Or use to me to carry loads

My back has not evolved

To carry a human rider comfortably

I can’t be saddled or carry loads

As my back is structurally weak

Picture caption: Close up of a zebra grazing by Robbie Cheadle

Thursday Doors

Last week, I shared some pictures from our Oslo Fjord cruise. This week, I’m sharing the buildings we saw on the numerous islands in the fjord. You can join in Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2024/07/25/more-from-reiman-gardens/

Old lighthouse

These are pictures of some of the summer houses on the various islands. They have to be painted yellow, white, red, or blue. Yellow seemed the most popular colour.

This is a video of the houses we saw:

This is another video (apologies, an Italian tourist is talking in the background):

Picture caption: view of an island in the fjord from a distance.
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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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97 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – d’Verse: Running with Horses and Thursday Doors #zebra #poetry #photography”

  1. I loved your poem, Robbie. I didn’t know much about zebras. They are beautiful animals.

    Great doors. The cruise must have been fun. It looks like there was much to see throughout the cruise.

    I hope you have a great weekend.

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  19. Thank you Roberta for this wonderful sharing. I loved the poem and the photos of the Zebra..

    I always like lighthouses and especially enjoyed the unique lighthouse you shared from your Oslo Fjord travels.
    Have a wonderful day!

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  21. This African equine became more familiar to me under your poetic instruction, Robbie, more familiar than just a creature I’ve seen in zoos. Thank you! Loved the photos and videos of the summer houses and especially the old lighthouse. How quaintly beautiful! I always enjoy your photography skills.

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    1. Hello, Dora, thank you for this wonderful challenge and inspiration. I am glad this idea about zebras came. They are such gorgeous creatures. Locally they call them horses in stripped pajamas to make the children laugh. Oslo is a marvelous place to visit (in the summer).

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  31. A lovely poem and I learned something about Zebras I did not know. The fact that their backs are not structurally sound explains why you never see a human sitting on a Zebra. The photos and videos are amazing!

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  33. Zebras are such fascinating equines, Robbie, and so suited to their African environment. The poem describes the heart of them. It must be a thrill to see them up close.

    How cool the doors on the fjord have to be one of those primary colors. Gorgeous!

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  34. I often learn about animals in your posts, Robbie. Today I learned that zebras do not have stout backs and can’t be ridden like a horse. Beautiful pictures of both the animals and your travels. I like the old lighthouse precariously perched on the outcrop of rock.

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    1. Hi Andrew, thanks for sharing this great picture. I didn’t get any pictures as good as that one as we only did a 2-hour cruise around the harbour. Attempts were made to cross-breed zebras with horses to make them stronger for work purposes but that failed.

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  37. What beautiful images! Both the animals and the water take me to an altogether different world. I didn’t know about those shadow stripes — the whole look is quite formal, isn’t it? Your poem sounded almost as though it could have been written by one of the zebras, trying to inform people like me!

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