Roberta Writes – Reena’s xploration challenge #263 and Esther Chilton’s writing prompt #poetry

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A quick personal note before I launch into my new poems. I have deactivated my Roberta Writes X account. My sons have very strong opinions about the political bend this platform has taken. As they are my creations (according to my mother), I must act on the principles I have instilled in them. I have joined Bluesky and you can find me here: https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social. I have replaced my X sharing button with a Bluesky sharing button.

Reena’s xploration challenge #362

Reena’s challenge is to write a poem based on any picture from the winners of the Best Abstract Photos for 2024. You can join in here:

Picture caption: #1. Siena Drone Abstract Awards 2024: Winner – “Tree of life” by Isabella Tabacchi

Little One

I wish I could protect you

Little One

Enclose you in a bubble

Safe from all harms

Protect you from

All the illnesses

That asail

Your weak immune system

Take away the pain caused

By careless words

That cut your fragile teenage ego

Into shreds of self doubt and sadness

I wish that my love and support

Was enough

Little One

To see you through your life

Sadly, it doesn’t work that way

I must teach you to fly

So, you can venture forth alone

Esther Chilton’s writing challenge: Storm

You can join in Esther’s challenge here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2025/01/08/writing-prompts-47/

Wet weather

We awake

To the crashing

Of thunder

And heavy drumming

Of African rain

The phone shrills

It’s 5 am

We can’t go out

On this first morning

Of the New Year

It’s too wet

The guide is sorry

Disappointment

Vias with enthusiasm

For more sleep

Gradually

The rain winds down

Petering out from ferocious

To soft English-styled drizzle

The 4 pm game drive is on –

The safari vehicle arrives

Off we go

At the river crossing

The water’s deep

And churning

The guide ventures forth

But pulls up short

It’s too deep

We’ll try the bridge

The bridge is passable – just

Brown water roars and rushes

On either side

As we make the crossing

“A car was swept away here,”

The guide remarks

“After last night’s party

The driver was drunk

Attempted the submerged bridge

And was washed away

Downstream

They’re searching for the bodies”

These are my photographs of the flooded river and bridge:

These are my YT videos of the flooded river. I love the sound of rushing water, even though it is scary:

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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102 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Reena’s xploration challenge #263 and Esther Chilton’s writing prompt #poetry”

  5. Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt and evocative post. Your ability to weave personal reflections with creative expression is inspiring. The transition from your thoughtful note about shifting platforms to your deeply moving poems feels seamless and meaningful.

    The poem Little One truly struck a chord with me. Its raw vulnerability and tender emotion resonate deeply, reminding me of the balance between wanting to shield our loved ones and knowing we must prepare them for independence. It’s a beautiful testament to the strength and complexity of love.

    Your Storm poem captures the power and unpredictability of nature so vividly. The juxtaposition of human experiences—disappointment and eventual excitement—with the untamed ferocity of the rain is compelling. The line about the submerged bridge and the tragic consequences lingers with profound impact.

    Thank you for sharing your journey through poetry and photography. It’s a privilege to glimpse these moments through your lens and words. I’m looking forward to following more of your posts here.

    Kris x

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      1. Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m so sorry to hear about your youngest son’s struggles. Your poem beautifully conveys the deep love and hope you have for him, even amidst such challenges. It’s a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience parents have when facing difficult circumstances. I truly admire how you’ve expressed these emotions so eloquently through your poetry. Sending warm thoughts to you and your family.

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          1. No, I realise that; I figure they must have also been impaired to agree to go in a car driven by someone impaired. Not that it makes any of it okay. It is still so very sad.

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  13. I always enjoy your poetry and photos, Robbie. I’m so glad you left X. Meta is the next problem: FB, Insta, & Threads have stopped all fact checking as Zuckerberg aligns with our felonious soon to be president. I like Bluesky, and was happy to see you there. 🩵

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  14. Beautiful poems and I think every moment can relate to the first one. Floods are scary but like you I love the sound of flowing water in rivers.

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  19. As a fellow parent, I was particularly moved by the first poem. It’s so hard to see our kids in pain, be it physical or emotional.

    One of my best friends shares the same political sentiments and is leaving Facebook because of their recent announcement to end fact-checking. She encouraged me to join Bluesky, though I don’t know much about it.

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    1. HI Pete, thank you. Michael’s ill health and related mental health issues are always difficult. I do my best to help. I don’t read anything outside of messages and photographs from friends and family on FB so I don’t think this change will impact me. I will assess it. Bsky seems okay so far. Time will tell. PS I think Americans get targeted on SM by political extremists. I don’t have any of the issues and don’t receive the same messages as my US friends do. No one cares about Africa which can be a blessing.

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  21. Beautiful poems, Robbie. I’m still on Twitter, but I’m not sharing much there, just following a few friends who remain there and only there. I like Bluesky but I’m going slow.

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  22. Beautiful poems, Robbie. I’m still on Twitter, but I’m not sharing much there, just following a few friends who remain there and only there. I like Bluesky but I’m going slow.

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  25. That’s a bit scary with the flooding and the small bridge. I loved both the Little One and Wet weather poems. I deleted my X/Twitter account when Elon started mistreating his employees. I’ve been think about BlueSky. I looked at yours. It looked nice. It is the first time I’ve visited BlueSky.

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    1. Hi Thomas, I do like seeing rushing water but I am very wary of it. We get flash floods in South Africa and cars always get swept away. Little One is about young Michael and I’m glad you like it. Hugs. So far, Bluesky is nice and I’m only following people I know. I don’t see the point in a SM filled with strangers who just keep shoving their books at me but never interact with me.

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  26. A great reason to deactivate X, Robbie. Your sons are right that parents should live up to the ideals they’ve taught their kids. (What smart young men).

    I just love your first poem – so beautiful from start to that lovely finish. And that river is scary! Especially knowing that someone didn’t make it across the night before. You poem is a riveting narrative about that day. I’m glad you make it across. What an adventure!

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  30. Please send some rain our way! We’re facing high winds and drought conditions here in Arizona, and I’m afraid that if a wildfire starts, we will look like California. I’m keeping a close eye on the neighborhood. And I love the first poem, too! I feel every hurt, disappointment, and wound that my daughter feels, and it’s very hard sometimes.

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  32. Pingback: Reena’s Xploration Challenge #363 – Reena Saxena

  34. We’ve had some terrible floods here (well, nearby) not long ago, so the pictures and the second poem hits close, and love the first one. I noticed you had removed the X button. I don’t intend to join anywhere else, because I am tired of all of them. I’m watching to see what goes on, but I understand perfectly well your reasoning. Take care.

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  35. Oh your poems touched my heart Robbie and the jeep washed to the river right after you went was terrifying!! I had an experience like that and the bridge collapsed and 7 people were killed right after we went.

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