Roberta Writes – Three in one: Esther Chilton’s prompt, Reena’s Xploration and What do you see? #poetry #painting

Esther Chilton’s Writing Prompt

Esther Chilton’s prompt is beauty. You can join in here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2025/01/22/writing-prompts-49/. It worked beautifully in tandem with my latest watercolour painting.

Beauty (shadorma)

Young beauties

Skin smooth rose petals

Lips plump fruit

Hair fine silk

Life a freshly planted field

Just waiting for rain

Picture caption: My watercolour painting – Beauties

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #365

Reena has posted a YT short about not letting others sap your energy as her prompt. You can join in here: https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2025/01/23/reenas-xploration-challenge-365/

Energy suck (shadorma)

Parasites

Suck your energy

Feel it flow

Directly

From your heart and soul to theirs

Vampirical feast

What do you see #273

Sadje has posted this picture as her prompt:

The beach cafe (rhyming verse)

The sun blazes down

the beach simmers with heat,

my brother moans and whines

as it burns our feet

***

We dash for the door

and burst into the cool

an oasis in the desert

like diving into a pool

***

In the beach cafe

decor simple and plain,

from the heat we shelter

before we go insane

***

From it’s windows we watach

bodies frying on the sand

brown, white, and black

they all try to get tanned

***

Stretched out and exposed

shining with oil

a strange way to unwind

from your daily toil

***

We gulp down our drinks

wonderfully wet and cold,

staying out of the sun

for once we do as we’re told

You can join in Sadje’s prompt here: https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2025/01/27/what-do-you-see-273-27-jan-2025/

78 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Three in one: Esther Chilton’s prompt, Reena’s Xploration and What do you see? #poetry #painting

  1. The poetry is great, as usual. I have been enjoying your animal paintings quite a bit so I shouldn’t be surprised at how much I enjoy your fashion painting. It’s wonderful 🙂

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    1. Yes, this is actually about my youngest sister who always expects someone else to shoulder the life burdens that come. I’ve carried the family for years, but this time, with my dad, I feel I’ve had enough and that she should step up. Of course, she’s coped out completely. ☹️

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      1. I’m sorry Robbie. I’ve seen that happen over and over again in families. I’m lucky my brothers were always there to help with my parents–and to help me as well.

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  2. Love all the poems Robbie. The one in response to WDYS is so evocative. Kids will listen to parents when it means an ease for them. Thank you so much for joining in.

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  3. All of these are excellent, Robbie. Your poetry gets better and better all the time. The comparison of feminine beauty to a growing field is graceful and your gorgeous painting almost makes the beauties look like flowers. Energy Suck was great. I loved the ending line. And yes, the pleasure of a shady spot and a cool drink on a baking hot day – when doing what you’re told makes absolute sense, for once. 🙂

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  4. Your poems hold moments of life with vivid imagery and emotion. “Beauty paints youth as something delicate and fleeting, using rich sensory details like rose petals and silk to create a striking, almost wistful portrait. Much like your delicate watercolour.

    Meanwhile, “The Beach Café” brings humor and sharp observation to a scorching day. I felt both the sweltering heat and the refreshing escape into the café.

    Your poetry highlights the contrast between longing and immediate experience and is always engaging, Roberta.

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  5. A most pleasant post, Robbie.

    Even Energy Suck seemed vampirically funny, after enjoying Beauty and your fabulous painting. What a wonderful set up to a fab post.

    Adore all your poetry! Adoetry…? Always looking to invent a new word. Adoetry – means I adore your poetry.

    So, I’m reading While the Bombs Fell. I am not a child, but I sure am learning a lot. Sure, I’ve heard the stories, but this is a further eye opener.

    🤗💖

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    1. Hi Resa, your new word is great – very descriptive. I’m delighted you enjoyed these poems. They are quite varied. I’m so pleased you are learning some new things from my mom’s memoire. I was aiming at a Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder styled book.

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          1. Lol!
            Well, you sort of look like her.
            I was very saddened when Michael Landon died. only 54.. It was tragic.

            I adored him watching reruns of Bonanza & I’ve watched an old B movie he made in his youth several times. “I Was A Teenage Werewolf”. Now I feel like watching tonight when I draw.
            I have to check if I can get it!

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  6. Delightful responses to all the prompts, Robbie.

    I really like the flowing lines in your watercolor, and the poem’s expression of how youth passes.

    We’ve all encountered the energy sucker and experienced a hot day like that! 😊

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  7. Wonderful poems, Robbie, and I especially liked your response to the beach photo. No more trying to get tan for us since my husband had melanoma years ago. And I have a little sun damage from my beach and pool days too. If only we knew back then what we know now.
    By the way, I shared your review on my blog, just fyi. 🤗❤️

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    1. Hi Lauren, thank you so much. I’ve been in a tail spin this week so I appreciate the heads up. Trying to catch up this weekend. My husband also had a melanoma. I’ve never really liked sun, but did tan a little during my final year of school. We are so influenced by our peers.

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  8. The first poem made me smile. 😊 reminds me of my teenage years 🤭🤭 the second one is so powerful 💪 and the third one is filled with beautiful imagery ❤️

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