Roberta Writes – d’Verse: Let’s travel through time and Tanka Tuesday #poetry

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Merril’s prompt is to write a haibun about time. You can join in here: https://dversepoets.com/2025/03/31/haibun-monday-lets-travel-through-time/

I didn’t write a haibun, I wrote a shadorma prose and here it is:

Borrowed Time

Time heals all wounds they say. But it’s not true. Some wounds do not heal. Some have a significant impact on your future life. This seems to be particularly true when it comes to life threatening conditions. In June 2021, my father was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. Covid delayed his diagnosis, and he nearly died. We did manage to get him the blood thinners he needed, and I injected him twice a day, every day, for ten consecutive days. He lived, but he never recovered fully. Recently, he has been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension resulting from damage done when the blood clots broke up. He is now being treated for this condition and his health has improved dramatically. The treatment cannot repair the damage to his lungs though. Neither can it repair the damage to his heart caused by the pulmonary hypertension and resultant lack of oxygen to his brain. For over six months, my dad was sleeping approximately 19 hours a day. He was not able to drive or go out anywhere as the lack of oxygen in his blood was making him so dizzy and unwell. The medications have made a huge difference, and he now has quality of life again. It has been incredible to watch this transformation take place. It did make me think that he is actually living on borrowed time due to the marvels of modern medicine.

surviving

health catastrophe

received as

Act of God

but living on borrowed time

the reality

No Fool (tanka)

serious am I

never learned to play the fool

mom’s little helper

progressed to high achiever

now a serial carer

My tanka poem is written for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday prompt which you can read about here: https://tankatuesday.com/2025/04/01/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-6-tarot-the-fool-4-1-2025/

My oldest son, Greg, graduated from his university today with a B Science degree in mathematics and computer science. He passed with distinction.

Picture caption: Greg and I before the graduation. Greg is wearing his cape and blue sash for a B Sc
Picture caption: Greg and Michael before the graduation. Mike came instead of TC who is in London currently.
Picture caption: Greg outside the Great Hall at The University of the Witwatersrand before his graduation.
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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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120 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – d’Verse: Let’s travel through time and Tanka Tuesday #poetry”

  2. Well Robbie this is a wonderful post and your words about your father a just wonderful. He has done so well may it long continue. You are a great daughter and niece and you have proved yourself a great carer and a wonderful mother.

    I love your Tanka too you are a great serial carer. 💜💜💜💜

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  3. Congratulations to Greg and your family Robbie! I’m sorry to hear about your father’s health challenges but glad that he has more quality of life again. Fun tanka too. Clearly you’re a career over achiever! 😊

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    1. Hi Brad, thank you for your kind comments. Dad is doing much better. I have achieved a lot in my career, but the gilt has worn off the gingerbread. Now, I don’t do as many publications and thought leaderships as I used too. I spend that extra time doing my own writing and art.

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  4. Robbie, I really appreciate the depth of emotion in your writing. Your shadorma prose feels deeply personal, and your tanka carries a quiet strength.

    I wish Greg a heartfelt mazal tov on his graduation and offer my sympathy for your father’s health challenges!

    Much love,
    David

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    1. HI David, thank you for your kind comment. I do appreciate your words. I was also thinking of TC who still has a thrombosis in his brain as it has not resolved as expected. I decided not to write about that as it is to difficult. Greg is a great son and a very hard working and exceptional scholar.

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  6. I am so glad to hear that your father’s health has improved. We are in the midst of relocating my mother-in-law to a long-term care facility as her dementia has deteriorated immensely. I want one close to us so I can stop in and make sure she is OK. Elder care is tough, especially when you are not that young anymore either. You look so proud of Greg. Huge congratulations to him! I love the picture of the brothers together too. xo

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  7. I knew your father had health issues, but I didn’t realize they had been ongoing for so long. I’m glad the medication has improved his quality of life, even though the damage cannot be cured.

    It must make you feel better to know he’s more comfortable, and I’m sure you’re very proud of your son!

    Congratulations again to Greg!

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  8. Congratulations to your son, Robbie 🎉

    “Act of God” …as you say…and your experiences give hope …
    best wishes to you all, Robbie..🤍

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    1. Hi Dave, I hope your family health situation has resolved or at least improved. My parents seem to be taking turns with being very ill. This is age related but I never really expected it. Greg has worked very hard and is very deserving of his full set of distinctions.

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      1. Thank you for the reply, Robbie.

        Helping an aging parent or parents is really difficult. (“Been there” back in 2017-18.) But wonderful that your son’s hard work and talents led to some welcome deserved results!

        My younger brother has terminal cancer, so, unfortunately, things will not ultimately improve. 😦 That plus his mental illness (decades of that) has made things very challenging.

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  12. It’s great that Greg graduated! Wonderful that you took such good care of your father, Robbie, and nice that he’s doing better. But it’s true that we all are on borrowed time. Your tanka is marvelous!

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  14. Wow Robbie, that’s quite the story about your dad. Yes, I see the borrowed time you speak of.

    What an intriguing concept borrowed time is. A preface like your dad’s story is a must to even begin conceiving the conception.

    Love both the Shadorma & Tanka.

    How wonderful that Greg has graduated. Does he have a next step in mind? It’s terrific to see the 2 brothers together. You must be thrilled! xx

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    1. Hi Resa, half my family are actually living on borrowed time: mom’s a cancer survivor, TC still has a blood clot in his brain as it hasn’t resolved, Michael’s the boy with nine lives and there’s dad. I am grateful for modern medicine. Greg is doing a post graduate degree in mathematics this year. He wants to do a PhD in maths.

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  16. A great post, beautiful Tanka and beautiful words about your father, Robbie. I can relate to such hard times.

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  18. Covid is having a long term effect on many people in all sorts of ways. Also I am realising I’m now in that age group or with older friends that means I know so many people with health problems which take me by surprise as I am so well.

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      1. I am very lucky and grateful, not just luck as my mother looked after us and fed us very well and I look after myself. But luck is involved with the genetic mix we are all handed, my younger sister for instance has several long term conditions despite also leading a healthy life. I hope your father is comfortable and Greg is looking forward to his next step in life.

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  22. Congratulations to the proud mom and Greg. You are looking awesome! Thanks for sharing the precious moments, Robbie. Lucky you that your dad is doing well. Wishing him good health.

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  25. Oh my goodness, Robbie. What a huge health ordeal for your dad but glad he has recovered to have some quality of life. I love both poems. Congratulations on your son’s achievements!! I know you are proud. Wishing him a wonderful life ahead.

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  27. Your first poem speaks to my dad’s situation after a major health crisis. He lived on borrowed time for seven years. Your second poem speaks to my mother’s situation at that time.

    Heartfelt congratulations to Greg on his big day. Receiving a university degree with distinction is a HUGE deal. I got choked up just watching the Facebook reel of him receiving his diploma.

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  30. I think it is amazing as humans where we find our strength to deal with what life throws at us…I am happy that your fathers quality of life has improved through modern medicine. Old age is definitely something that sometimes creeps up on us unawares we go from being healthy to having health problems…Your Shadorma & Tanka are both well penned and emotive however through it all your children are getting great results educationally a credit to you and their committment…Congratulations again to Greg…Hugs xx

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      1. Hi Robbie I think you are correct like you I just get on with what life throws at me my younger sister is the same you just do what you need to do and fit in with everything else but you are correct not everyone can do that x

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          5. Big Grin…IAbsolutely out of our 6…Two of the them(the most) intelligent two have no common sense and we were told that by one of Sara’s tutors many years ago that the brightest often live in their own world and lack common sense for want of a better word x

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  31. The poems were a joy to read but I am very sorry about your father. Like you said, time does not heal all wounds, but it is something people like to say. Congratulations to Greg and to the whole family. What a wonderful and impressive achievement. The photos are great.

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  34. Congratulations to you all on the graduation of your son.
    The improvements in medical care has really helped many people. May your father enjoy long healthy life

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  41. Robbie,

    What a wonderful post. I loved hearing your heartfelt information about your father and your view of self, too. And once again congratulations to Greg!

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  42. I admired your strength to be a serial carer, Robbie! Your poems are packed with emotions! You have been taking care of your sons, your mom, your dad, and your husband. I’m glad your dad’s health has improved and hope that it gives you a little break. What a handsome and bright young man Greg is and how wonderful he graduated with distinction. It warms your heart and rewards your labor of love. Congratulations to Greg and you!

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      1. Exactly, Robbie! That’s a good way to look at things. I’m comforted to know that we’re not given more than what we can bear. When we’re given the responsibilities, we’re also given the strength needed to take them.

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  43. You are a giver, and a caring one. Perhaps your dad is on borrowed time, so I hope you can find some joy with him. You must be very, very proud of your boys, Robbie. You’re a gold star mama.

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  45. Robbie,

    Medical advancements allowed some relatives to live into their 90’s. However some who didn’t take care of themselves in their younger days now struggle and all the meds in the world can’t reverse nearing the end of days.

    Lovely graduate you have there! We were also happy when our younger son graduated Fire School and is now both a compensated and (always it seems was a volunteer) fire fighter. Education is key in quality of life too.

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