Laura has offered two different challenges for MTB: Counting to three. I chose this one:
- select any compound word of 2 derivatives e.g. puffball
- split it and write each derivative as topic for the first two stanzas e.g. puff; ball
- join it up again as topic for the 3rd stanza
- number or subtitle each stanza with the reference word
- include the reference word within the stanza if not subtitled
- line length, rhymes, meter etc are optional
You can join in here: https://dversepoets.com/2024/10/03/mtb-counting-to-three/
The word I’ve chosen is gingerbread! I have written three tanka poems (5/7/5/7/7) with headings.
Ginger
Marmelade male cat
Causes much consernation
Loud yowling ensues
My females defend their rights
To Tom-free celibacy
Bread
Hadeda* flies high
Transporting numerous sticks
Nest slowly takes shape
Hard work for future parents
I throw breadcrumbs on the lawn
Gingerbread
Delicious fragrance
Reminiscent of Christmas
Her eyes fill with tears
Memories of times long passed
Sweetened by passage of time
Halloween gingerbread display
This display was built for Michael and my children’s book Haunted Halloween Holiday available here: https://tslbooks.uk/product/haunted-halloween-holiday-robbie-and-michael-cheadle/



I admire your syllabi poetry Robbie…this is my waterloo 🤭
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Hi Michelle, I learned about writing syllabic poetry from Colleen. I quite enjoy it but the forms are restrictive.
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*syllabic
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I the poems Robbie and the photos 💜💜
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Thank you, Willow
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these gingerbread concoctions are sweet and delightful, Robbie; enjoyed the poems too 🙂 can one say ‘Happy Halloween’ ? 🙂
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Is Halloween big where you are, John? We don’t really have it here. I made these gingerbread displays for a gingerbread competition.
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you would have done very well I would think 🙂 Halloween is not made much of in Oz ; there’s a few half-hearted displays on front lawns: that’s it —
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That is interesting. The UK has adopted Halloween and they have celebrations and parties now but not like in the USA.
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yes, low key here; I can’t recall the last time someone knocked on my door for trick or treat —
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We don’t get that here either.
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The last poem is very poignant. Amazing fondant creations!
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I like the last poem best, Merril. I’m glad you like the fondant.
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You’re welcome, Robbie. I did.
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Nice one, Robbie. 🙂
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Thank you, Kitty 💕
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celebrating three events here but I especially liked the “To Tom-free celibacy” 😉 what a fabulous fondant feat too
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Thank you, Laura 🌹
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The poetry and pictures are a wonderful display of your artful skill, Roberta. 😊 💖
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Thanks, Tim, I’m pleased you like them.
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Your poem and confectionery creations are both marvelous
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I’m delighted you enjoyed this post, Sadje
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💗💗💗
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Magnificent food art, Robbie!
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Thank you, Dave 🌺
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So fun… and yum!
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Thanks, Chris
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So creative Robbie !
Those fondants look so good.
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I’m glad you enjoyed these pictures 💚
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Your posts are fab Roberta 💕
Always with a variety of images, poems and information 👏
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I love the wistful beauty of that final stanza. (K)
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I like that poem best too. Thanks, Kerfe
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Wonderful gingerbread poem. Your gingerbread displays are fantastic.
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Thank you, Timothy. They are fun to create.
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Your displays are amazing, Robbie! So talented. Love the poems as well, especially the Gingerbread one.
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Thank you, Jan. I have fun with these displays
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wonderful creations Robbie! What do you do with them afterwards?
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Thank you, Wayne. We eat them, of course – smile
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art that’s satisfying to make, look at and eat!
Truely an artists trifecta!
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Yes, indeed.
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I vote windmill!
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Thank you, Phil. I adapted a windmill template for a wooden toy structure.
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I love gingerbread! I admire your creativity very much!
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Thank you, Dawn. I like gingerbread too, especially the smell.
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Looks great.
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Thank you, Diana
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You’re welcome 🙂
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I particularly like the gingerbread stanza
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HI LIz, that seems to be the popular one. Thank you.
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You’re welcome.
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You did a great job on the prompt, Robbie. Gingerbread has such a distinct flavor, like no other! Delicious.
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Hi Dwight, I have always liked gingerbread and I enjoy building displays with it.
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:>)
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What a fun poetry technique. I love what you did with it. I enjoyed re-visiting the haunted caravan. Big hugs.
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Hi Teagan, that was a fun display to create. It was an interesting poetry form to try.
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Those were some really complicated requirements but you still succeeded in writing beautiful poems. I loved the Haunted gingerbread windmill display. What impressive food art.
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HI Thomas, I am glad you enjoyed my Halloween display. It was fun to make and I used it for the book.
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Nice job, Robbie. I will have to pull out Haunted Halloween Holiday to read to the kids when they are here next weekend.
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I still enjoy that book, Carla. I am working on another similar styled book for kids called Dinah in Chocolate Land.
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That’s great, Robbie.
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I was just thinking about your fondant designs, Robbie. Great timing!
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That’s great to know, Barbara.
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“Tom-free celibacy” was so clever, Robbie. You are an incredible poet and artist!
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Hi Donna, I am glad you like that line. I liked it too. Hugs
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beautifully done, Robbie…🤍🌷
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Thank you
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my pleasure 🤍
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Wonderful and very creative, Robbie.
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Thank you, Jennie
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You are welcome, Robbie.
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Gingerbread in the form of houses is more of a Christmas thing here… (but the cookies themselves we have year around)
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Hi Bjorn, I made this display for a Halloween gingerbread challenge. It’s more of a Christmas idea for me too.
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Enjoyed the three stanzas, stylistically v interesting, and v nicely presented with the decorations..
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Love it, Robbie. You’ve taken the form and melded it into a collage of sensations and scenes.
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HI Dora, thank you. I’m glad you like it. I wasn’t sure If I’d done this form correctly.
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Correctly and uniquely too, I think! 💖
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I’m relieved to know that.
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Wonderful poems, Robbie, and I remember your amazing Halloween fondant display. I love your Gingerbread poem, which evokes memories of my mother-in-law. I have her delicious recipe for gingerbread that I make every holiday.
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Hi Lauren, I am glad you are also a gingerbread fan.
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I absolutely love your haunted gingerbread. I would never eat it. It’s too beautiful to ruin with my teeth!
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I’m pleased you like it, Marilyn. It was dismantled and eaten.
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Very creative, Robbie! 🙂
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I’m pleased you enjoyed this
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