Lillian’s challenge is to write a quadrille using the word sunrise. You can read other contributions here: https://dversepoets.com/2025/06/02/the-sunll-come-up/
Dan’s Thursday Doors Writing Challenge has closed, but I wanted to write for Resa’s picture below, so I’ve combined the sunrise and photograph challenges into a single poem.
You can read all the contributions to Dan’s Thursday Doors Writing Challenge here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2025/
You can find Resa’s wonderful blog here: https://graffitiluxandmurals.com/2025/06/01/butterfly-poetess/

Contrasts
Outside, heavy rain fell in sheets
the thick darkness of the night
complementing the ebony shelves
and heavy leather-bound books
comprising the men’s library
Soft music reminiscent of sunrise
on a hot summer’s morning
crept through the drapes
causing the grey readers to smile

I entered these three photographs in a B&W photograph competition. Do you like any of them?



I like the leopard best, black and white is brilliant for displaying her spots, which are amazingly varied.
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Thank you, Janet. I like that picture too.
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All so stoic, so imposing, so regal!
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They do look good in B&W
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First, the contrasts in the poetry is on point! Well done. The photos? I love each of them as they capture the emotions of each subject. Whether you planned that as you were framing your shots or not, BOOM! Also, the framing IS remarkable. When I taught television production, I stressed the importance of shot framing in telling the story. When you maximize nose room, you let the viewer know that there is more to come. In the case of your 3 photos here, it is as though you are telling us that each subject is either seeking more of anticipating more. WELL DONE!
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Hi Annette, you have no idea how much I appreciate your valuable feedback. Thank you!!!
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Ooh, I just love your Q, Robbie…what wonderful contrasts! ❤️
Love the photos too.
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Thank you, Punam. It took a while for something to come for this prompt, but I was happy when it did.
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Your chalet at Black Rhino Game Lodge looks marvelous, Robbie. The way Contrast describes how the outside darkness complements the books and shelves inside is wonderfully written. The black and white photos of those magnificent creatures are beautiful.
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Hi Tim, I am really pleased you liked the contrasts. I matched the photos to the poem concept.
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Lovely poem! Your black and white photos are eye-catching, but I especially find the leopard to be striking.
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Thank you, Brenda. The leopard is popular.
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Love your poem Robbie.
The photographs are amazing.
The white lion is my favourite.
Thank you for sharing.
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Ah, the young lion. He was very majestic in real life too.
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I like your poem very much. These are great lines:
“Soft music reminiscent of sunrise
on a hot summer’s morning”
I think the Cape Buffalo is my favorite of the animal photos.
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Oh yay! That is my favourite one too.
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Thanks for using my door, Robbie!
Your poem is wonderful, and it’s very cool the way you combined everything!
I LOVE all of you photos, Robbie! xx
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Thank you, Resa. You ferret out the most wonderful doors each year.
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Ahh, an art ferret, very cool! 🌞x
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Yes, a great description.
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😀
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I like all three balck and whites, but especially the last one – wow – such detail
and your poem was really moving – drakness and heaviness micxed with lightness and a smile
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Hi Yvette, thank you. The leopard is very stunning in real life too. I’m pleased you liked the contrasts in this poem.
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;0)
yes – my creative friend – who can bake, write, and take great photos
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Thank you, Yvette. I saw your email and will respond this weekend.
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sounds great
🙂🙂
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Wow I love all three B&W photos. The one of the Buffalo is astounding, and I loved your poem too.
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Thomas, I am so glad you like the buffalo. It is my favourite picture too.
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Wonderful post, Robbie. I love those B&W photos, especially the lion and the leopard. The leopard is amazing. I enjoyed the poem, and I understand wanting to write to that photo. Resa’s photos proved quite popular.
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Hi Dan, yes, Resa’s are lovely pictures, as are Teagan’s. I enjoyed yours as they encouraged more upbeat and humorous poems.
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The expression on the lion’s face is wonderful. Good luck!(K)
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Hi Kerfe, thank you
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Love the Lion and Leopard shots Robbie!
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Thank you, Wayne
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Well done! I love the Female Leopard
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That one is popular, Dwight. I have been fortunate this year with leopard sightings.
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Your photos are wonderful, Robbie. You could create your own National Geographic!
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🤗🌞💖
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Oh my goodness! I love all of those black and white photos. I’ve tried hard, but I just can’t choose a favourite. They are all fabulous!
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HI Donna, I think the Cape buffalo is my favourite. I like how the flowers came out in B&W. Thanks for your comment.
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Very good shots. Professional level photography.
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Thank you, Sadje
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You’re most welcome
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💝
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I really like all three b&w photos. I love the lion portrait, but the I think the contrast in textures in the leopard photo really makes it stand out.
Nice contrasts in the poem. What is the men’s library? For men only?
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Yes, we used to have men’s clubs that included very nice men’s libraries with leather bound volumes and reading lamps. I’m pleased you like the photographs.
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You’re welcome, Robbie.
I thought it was a present day men’s club. There were men only clubs here, too.
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Ooh, stunning b&w photos, Robbie – especially the two cats.
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Amazing photos. Sometimes black and white is the best way.
The young lion looks stunning. He has a knowing look on his face.
I also enjoyed your poem.
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Thank you, Viv. B&w is dramatic 🤍🖤
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The black and white photos are amazing. I particularly like the Cape Buffalo but they are all great!
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That’s my favourite picture too 🌺
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I’m very glad I’m not having to decide a winner, Robbie. They are all amazing, but the lion really stands out to me. Maybe it’s the expression on its face? But then there’s the leopard. Well, they are just amazing!
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Thanks, Jan. Animals are amazing and the b&w makes them more dramatic I think.
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The lion is my favorite. Great photos and poem!
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Thanks, Dawn. The buffalo, my favourite, is the least popular of the three.
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I can’t imagine all three not getting A pluses!! Captivating.
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Thank you, Pam. I get awards when its an expert judge and not the crowd. Crowd, of course, is more about popularity.
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Your poem brought me into the scene, so that I could hear the rain and smell the musty books. And those photos are fantastic, particularly the juvenile lion 🌞
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Ah, another lion lover. My favourite is the buffalo. I’m pleased you like the poem.
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Beautiful poem, Robbie, and I love the lion the best. 💞
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Thank you, Lauren. The different views on the pictures expressed by different readers are so interesting. Everyone has such different taste.
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Wonderful contrasts Robbie… The poem is just so descriptive…and your lodge looks amazing!
The three animal photos are wonderful they show of the magnificence of these three creatures to perfection! 💜💜
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Thank you, Willow. Contrasts are dramatic.
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They truly are Robbie 💜
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“causing the grey readers to smile” love that line!
I think the photo of the juvenile white lion is particularly impressive. Good luck with your entries, Robbie!
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enjoyed the poem, Robbie; the Cape Buffalo pic stood out for me —
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Hi John, that is also my favourite of the pictures. I’m glad you enjoyed this poem.
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I like black-and-white photography, so I like all three but am partial to the buffalo; those big cats, even in a photo, always make me feel as though I’m about to be served on a platter. Beautiful view to the green world through those doors.
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HI Maureen, the big cats are not generally dangerous to humans inside vehicles. Elephants, rhinos and hippos are the animals to be careful of. Buffalo have been known to hold grudges for years and years and track down people who have injured them.
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You can bet I’d be staying in my car!
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😁
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Well done, Robbie. I love the contrasts.
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Thanks, Jennie
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You’re welcome, Robbie
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Hi Robbie, Your poetry and photography are both beautiful! Thank you for sharing them with us.
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HI Charles, I’m very pleased you enjoyed this post.
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A captivating poem Robbie, I love it. The photos are amazing, those animals are beautiful!
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Hi Holly, thank you. I’m so pleased you enjoyed this post.
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Very much Robbie. 🌹
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