Roberta Writes – #ThursdayDoors and Esther Chilton’s writing challenge: Surprise #AmsterdamCanals #poetry

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This poem is for Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge and for Esther Chilton’s Surprise challenge.

Opening new doors, and a surprise

There is change. There is change. Change there is.

You don’t like change. You don’t like change. Change you dislike.

***

Do you see change as opening new doors?

***

No, you do not like change.

You do not see change as an opportunity.

***

Could you see change as being good?

***

You do not see change as being good.

You do not see any good in change.

You do not like change in any way.

Change you dislike, although change there is.

***

Could change you ever grow to love?

If it didn’t hit you over the head like a club?

***

Change you will never grow to love.

Even if it comes lightly and not as a club.

You do not like change in any way.

Change you dislike, although change there is.

You do not see change as an opportunity.

No, you do not like change.

***

Could you ever change embrace?

Is it possible you could do an about face?

***

Never will you change embrace.

Never will you do an about face.

Never could you change love.

Never see it as ought but a club.

You will not like change in any way.

You do not see change as an opportunity.

Change you dislike, although there is change.

***

Would you? Could you learn to understand?

Could change ever your mind expand?

***

You would not, could not understand.

***

I say give it a chance, it may be good.

Give it a try, you know you should.

***

You would not, could not try something new.

Not even a simple change, like a new hairdo.

Or a bigger room with a better view.

***

Could you, would you give change a go?

***

You could not, would not give change a go.

***

Would you? Could you learn to understand?

***

You could not, would not learn to understand.

You will not, will not, give change a go.

You will not try to make new friends

You won’t give it a try, ‘though you know you should.

You won’t understand, won’t give it a chance.

You don’t want change to embrace.

You don’t want to do an about face.

Never could you change love.

Never see it as ought but a club.

You will not like change in any way.

You do not see change as an opportunity.

Change you dislike, although there is change.

You do not like change. So you declare.

With your old ways, change does not compare.

***

Try the change, you may get a pleasant surprise.

What! You’ll give it a chance. Say it may be good.

You’ll give it a chance as you know you should.

(… And she tries change…)

You do like change. I can see your smile.

You do like change, as I knew you would.

You’re going to try out a new hairdo.

You’ll have a go at the room with the view.

You’ll try to make a new set of friends.

You’ll give away your unnecessary odds and ends.

You’ll see change as an opportunity.

Change is good. Change is good. Now you see.

Change you have learned to embrace.

Now you’ve done an abrupt about face.

Change you’ve learned to understand.

Your finally letting change your mind expand.

You’ve learned to give change a go.

Although your path to acceptance was slow.

The change has done you so much good.

The change has given you a pleasant surprise.

Hooray! Hooray! Change is very good.

You can join in Esther Chilton’s writing challenge here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2024/09/18/writing-prompts-32/

You can join in Dan’s Thursday Doors challenge here: https://nofacilities.com/2024/09/19/old-economy-village/

Amsterdam canal boat trip

These are some photographs and videos from our Amsterdam canal boat trip. There are lots of doors.

Picture caption: my acrylic painting of the Amsterdam canals. Lots of doors. Painting buildings is a lot of effort as I am pedantic about the sizing and had to measure everything with a ruler. That is why I’m painfully aware of just how many doors and windows are in the picture.

If you are interested in seeing some close up detail of this painting, you can view this YT short:

Picture caption: Moody Amsterdam canals. Picture by Robbie Cheadle

Picture caption: shots of the Amsterdam canals

Picture caption: The seven bridges of Amsterdam. Picture by Robbie Cheadle

Picture caption: a variety of houseboats on the Amsterdam canal.

A few videos of the Amsterdam canal:

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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124 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – #ThursdayDoors and Esther Chilton’s writing challenge: Surprise #AmsterdamCanals #poetry”

  1. Some people are so talented, Robbie! It hardly seems fair. The poem is very clever – a great message – and you draw and paint too! And honestly- how have I never been to Amsterdam? I need a good clout round the head to stir my brain up.

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  2. The poem was perfect. Very clever. And I love the painting of the Amsterdam canal. I can see much thought went into it. We enjoyed our canal tour of this great city too. Thanks for the memories!

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      1. And it brought to mind my mother-in-law who has adapted well to her new surroundings. Go figure! Perhaps these old girls are more adaptable than we gave them credit for.

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  5. A delightful poem, Robbie. Life would be boring without change. I like your painting and the photos. Some of those houseboats look very elaborate. I’ll probably never get there, but I always thought Amsterdam would be an interesting city to visit.

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    1. Yes, I suppose that is true, Wayne, but it often brings better situations. I’m so pleased you like the painting. I’m working on an A1 elephant painting and it’s my favourite. I could say that my current in progress painting is always my favourite.

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  14. So many beautiful scenes, boats and doors, Robbie. I like your painting the best. Your treatment of the water is wonderful, and I’ll take your word on the number of doors. IF I could paint, I’d probably be like that. Thanks for sharing with Thursday Doors.

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    1. Hi Jan, that painting took me about 2 months. My current elephant WIP will also have taken about 7 weeks when I finish it. I’m hoping it will be done over this long weekend as Tuesday is a public holiday and I’ve taken Monday leave (sort of as I have some stuff I have to do).

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  29. I congratulate you on the painting! I could never accomplish such a thing — the challenge of perspective is way too much for me! Lots of great doors and windows, and with such lovely doubles in the water. The argument for change is certainly very human, isn’t it? Never easy yet always necessary. Lots of work in this post. Kudos, Robbie!

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  30. LOVE the post for all the beautifully creative energy, colors and cool writing! I smiled all the way through the “change” as one of my Drs said to me, “If nothing changes, Annette, then nothing changes.” So, I took a piece of paper and wrote that out, had someone tape it up in front of me, and I look at it every day! xx

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  31. Many of your posts are packed with creative goodness, and I feel that this post is even more stuffed than your usual! A fantastic poem of changing one’s mind, and your Amsterdam panting is also fantastic. You’re skilled on many levels 🙂

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  32. Oh, what a fun post, Robbie. I just loved your poem. The construction was fabulous (sounded Suessian to me) and was delightful to read. And your painting was stunning – yes, you got the windows and doors dimensioned perfectly! Thanks for all the videos and fun.

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  33. I love your poem, Roberta! Yes to changing how one ‘thinks’ about not liking change….Brilliant yet poignant sentiment and wisdom.

    I enjoyed your journey through Amsterdam’s canals via your excellent painting…WOW!! And love the photos. Archways above water are a favorite of mine…what better place for that than Amsterdam. Great share including your videos. Blessings to you!

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          1. The difficulty with depression is that there is often no obvious cause. It feels like finding yourself sliding into a pit with no bottom. You try to put your hands out to stop yourself and climb out, but you just keep sliding.

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          2. Yes, that is a very good description. I can’t understand why the handholds of blossoms, animals, hobbies and good food can’t help people to climb out but I’ve always been naturally positive. I try really hard. I invited my aunt and all the rest of my family over today and cooked up a huge meal. It was a great day and she had a nice time.

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    1. HI Thomas, thank you. We did enjoy Amsterdam but I really loved Oslo. Oslo is smaller and just so functional, clean, and nice. Such a great change from South Africa. I love the animals here but the disfunction and corruption here keep me in a state of permanent stress.

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