Roberta Writes – d’Verse ‘From Your Valentine’ prompt #poetry #d’Verse

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Sanaa has provide a lovely Valentine’s prompt for d’Verse, as follows:

1- Love Potions and Concoctions: Write a poem as a recipe for a love potion. Throw in some berries and cream, maybe a dash of cinnamon and chivalry. Tell us what love means to you.

2- Love Letters Through Time: Write a poem in the form of a love letter. It can be addressed to yourself, to someone special and/or in memory of a person who has passed.

3- Love in a Digital Age: Bring love into the 21st century by exploring the dynamics of modern relationships. I am referring to the age of social media, dating apps, and virtual connections. Let your poem decide whether technology enhances or complicates matters even further.

You can join in here: https://dversepoets.com/2025/02/11/poetics-from-your-valentine/

I’ve written a haiban for the love letter prompt.

“Love Letter” Necklace

Sphiwe held up the panelled “love letter” necklace she’d created for her young husband, BongiNkosi. The numerous beads glimmered in the strong summer light. BongiNkosi was working far away on a mine, and this intricately patterned artwork was a secret declaration of her enduring love.

Smiling, she thought back to the early days of their courtship when she was just fourteen years old. After she and BongiNkosi had agreed to proceed with a relationship, she’d fashioned a simple ucu (necklace) made of two strings of twisted white beads to which she’d attached one beaded white ring as a symbol of her virginity. Her iqhikiza (older sister) had presented the gift to her admirer on her behalf. A giggle escaped Sphiwe’s slightly parted lips as she remembered how BongiNkosi had rushed home to hang up a white handkerchief, announcing to the world that he was in love.

As their relationship progressed, Sphiwe had crafted other rings and a second love letter incorporating numerous red beads to demonstrate the evolution of her love and her longing. BongiNkosi had reciprocated by replacing the white handkerchief with a red one.

With one hand on her swollen belly, she kissed the necklace and laid it in a box, ready for travel. It would serve as a reminder of their love and his forthcoming fatherhood until the time was ripe for him to journey home for the birth of his first child.

Red for intense love

Yellow for fertility

Black for our marriage

You can read more about Zulu “Love Letter’ beaded necklaces here: https://artsandculture.google.com/story/uwXhzpYRaUm3JQ

Michael and I have a cute book for children about the Valentine Toffee Cupid.

Picture caption My Valentine Toffee Cupid. Working with toffee was an interesting challenge.
The cover of Sir Chocolate and the Valentine Toffee Cupid story book which is available from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Valentine-Toffee-Cupid-holidays-ebook/dp/B0BT9GBNHL
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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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58 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – d’Verse ‘From Your Valentine’ prompt #poetry #d’Verse”

  6. I love reading haibun that teach me about other cultures, Robbie, and yours does just that – with so much more. I also love the idea of love letter necklaces – and the happy ending.

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  7. Makes our exchange of commercial valentines (though personally, I usually fashion one) seem very lacking – lovely Robbie…

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  10. My book club met yesterday afternoon to discuss Lisa See’s’ novel “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women” ~ in ways similar to the story you tell here. The Ming Dynasty and its myriad customs was a fascinating read .. as is your Haibun.

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  11. You wrote a terrific love letter story, Robbie.

    As most often, not only have i enjoyed your writing, but have learned something as well.

    If anyone is reading this, I have read many of The Sir Chocolate books, and they 100% delightful.

    Oh my, it is Valentine’s tomorrow.

    Big heart to you, Robbie!

    🌹❤️

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    1. Big heart to you, Resa. We don’t bother much with Valentine’s Day but Michael and I stayed up last night to bake cupcakes for him to take to school. They are doing a Valentine’s Day fundraiser. Thanks for the shout out about our books 🤗💝

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  15. I can’t comment on your blog, but I can comment from the right bell menu. This makes it hard to share posts to Bluesky. Anyway, I love these cultural stories from So. Africa. Well done on a touching story, Robbie.

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  18. I was waiting for some tragedy to strike in the love story, and it just got sweeter. I love his response to her, and to think they were so young. First love is the strongest, the song says. That adorable story would make a beautiful movie.

    I love the toffee cupid, but I have to admit to wanting to eat a piece or two of him. He looked shiny and sweet. The book sounds just as sweet. 🙂 Have a great weekend.

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  21. This is such a lovely story! And I learned something a bit about Zulu culture. Thank you so much for writing to the prompt 🩷🩷

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