It has been a very busy week. Work was moderate after the chaos of the previous three weeks, but I have four poems/articles on various Masticadores sites and my monthly Treasuring Poetry post. I am very blessed to have my work showcased by Masticadores and thank Barbara, Juan, Michelle and Nolcha for their wonderful support.
The upshot is I am late with my d’Verse poem which, I believe/hope, fits both Laura’s MTB: The colour motif and Merril’s Poetics: Reflections prompts.
There is a painting to go with this poem but it is not yet finished so you will have to imagine it.
Life on the Water (Tanka story)
medley of cool shades
cerulean and turquoise
lightened or darkened
depending on water’s mood
and artist’s vision
***
painstaking brush strokes
capturing shadows and light
frothy, foaming crests
enhanced with metallic white
dancing across blue
***
water shifts and sighs
subtle movements captured in
careful ripple lines
swiftly flowing currents caught
in muted aquamarine
***
sand laden wavelets
curl sluggishly around rocks
smothered by sweet caress
of ocean’s heaving bosom
with its rhythmic rise and fall
***
houseboat moves onwards
temple to unconstrained thoughts
colours meld as one
in swirls, rises, and deep troughs
impermanent no longer
***
dreams, soft and wispy
condensation trails through sky
subtle as sunlight
transferred to stark, white canvas
soft splashes ricocheting

It’s a wonderful how you keep up with the writing, photography, books, baking, working, and family Robbie!
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I loved the ride this took me on. Beautifully imagined. Thank you! Glad you shared! Pejj
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I’m so pleased to know that. Thank you 😊
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I love this serene poem of nature’s beauty and every color it has to offer… here;
sand laden wavelets
curl sluggishly around rocks
smothered by sweet caress
of ocean’s heaving bosom
with its rhythmic rise and fall
Stunningly beautiful, Roberta. 🩵🍁🍂🐦⬛
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Thank you so much, Holly 🥰
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Water is clear, but miraculously takes on many moving shades perfectly captured in your verse.
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Hi Janet, I find water totally fascinating.
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You have a wonderful way of creating moments to write and share your ideas. It is always a joy to stop by, Robbie!
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Thank you, Rebecca. I appreciate your encouragement 💜🪻
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vivid ekphrastic that mirrors the mood in the painting
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Thank you, Lisa 💕
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You’re welcome, Robbie ❤
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💛
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This is a really beautiful poem Robbie.
Captured perfectly !💙💙
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I love water and light. I try to capture it in words and paint.
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You captured both so well Robbie.
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🌝🌚
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Wonderful poetry, Robbie, and a beautiful painting. You are SO talented!
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Hi Tim, the painting is by Claude Monet. I’m delighted you like the poem 🌈💖
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Your verses express colours more vivid than Monet’s painting!
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Yes, it’s based on how I paint water
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I thought so; nicely expressed!
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Thank you, Audrey
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Such beautiful movement echoes the flow of water in your poem, Roberta. Lovely.
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I’m pleased you liked it, Suzette
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An impressionist poem for an impressionist painting! Well done.
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Yes, exactly right 💝
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Terrific Tankas!
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Thank you 🩵🦋
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Great poem Robbie -and such a clever prompt combination 🙌
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I rarely combine prompts so it was good luck.
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🙌
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It has the rhythm of a river. (K)
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Excellent
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Thank you 💖
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What a week of creativity you’ve had—four features plus Treasuring Poetry, that’s no small feat 👏. This tanka story flows like brushstrokes themselves… the layering of cerulean, turquoise, aquamarine feels alive, like water breathing on canvas. Even without the painting, the words already paint the scene—fluid, reflective, full of motion. Can’t wait to see the finished artwork alongside it! 🎨
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Thank you, I appreciate your thoughtful comment.
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You are welcome Roberta
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I love your tanka story Robbie ..
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Thank you, Michelle. It’s a lovely prompt 🩵
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It’s a beautiful poem Robbie.
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Thank you, Sadje
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You’re most welcome
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I would love to live on the water and I love that painting. We met a woman in French class who was about to start living in a boat on the Seine in Paris. Your poem is beautiful.
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I think the idea of living on a houseboat is nice.i read a memoir about life on a houseboat a few years ago and it wasn’t that nice on a permanent basis. I’m pleased you like this poem 🌷
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Yeah she meant to do it on a permanent basis. I wonder how that worked out. Maybe she is still on the Seine.
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Maybe, but think of the winters. Shudder!
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After she quit the French class and moved to her house boat in France we did not hear a word from her. We have no idea what happened. She was not alone. She was divorced but she did it with her new boyfriend (maybe later husband).
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I hope it worked out well for her.
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I hope so too, but it sounded a bit too adventurous, but I don’t want to judge.
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💚
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such beautiful imagery, Robbie.
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Thank you 💜
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Su h beautiful imagery, Robbie. I love this. It’s evocative.
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I appreciate your comment, Viv 🙏
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Beautiful poems, full of amazing images.
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Thank you, Diana
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❤
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You really took me on a journey here.
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That’s great to know 🌷
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Your poetry is a glowing example of how only the words of someone that feels a genuine connection to nature- can make the reader feel it too. brilliant piece.
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Hi Violet, thank you for your lovely comment. I appreciate it.
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Such lovely descriptions, Robbie. Thank you for writing to the prompt, and there’s no need to apologize. It’s impossible to keep up with all the prompts. Congratulations on all your recent publications.
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HI Merril, I wasn’t expecting all the publications to be in the same week – smile! Thank you for your lovely comment.
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You’re welcome, Robbie. It often seems to happen that way.
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Congratulations on your publications! As I was reading your poem, I was seeing your painting, not Monet’s. Well-done!!
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Thank you, Liz. I did write it for my painting – smile!
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You’re welcome, Robbie! 😉
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🧡
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This poem flows from one movement to the next. I am awaiting the finished painting
Congrats on your publication!
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Thank you. I love your comment; a flowing feeling is what I aimed for.
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love these stanzas, Robbie, esp the one with ‘sand laden wavelets’ —
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Thank you, John. That stanza seems to be a favourite.
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your writing evokes such imagery – I can picture the foaming crest, the rocks, and the houseboat. Beautiful!
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Robbie, you’ve captured the very essence of water. Lovely. I hope your week remains chaos-free. Hugs.
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Hi Teagan, my week has been horrid to date. I’ll post my review of your book on Thursday as tomorrow is a public holiday here.
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“swiftly flowing currents caught in muted aquamarine” so at a guess water and flowing can’t wait to see this finished piece of art work what medium are you working in? x
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Hi Carol, I am working in acrylics and also using acrylic texture paste. Thanks for asking.
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Cool I love acrylic as you can get such depth and texture xx
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What a vivid yet serene write, Robbie! Your love for water reflects in your word choices. 💙
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Hi Punam, I’m really pleased you enjoyed this poem. Thank you.
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You are so welcome, Robbie.
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wow, what a fabulous story behind the picture!
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Being on that houseboat sounds heavenly!
Have a great day
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Thank you. I think so too.
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You are truly a gifted poet, Robbie.
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Thank you for your lovely comment, Jennie
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You are very welcome, Robbie!
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Very good
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Thank you
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A very soothing and contemplative poem!
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Thank you, Dawn 💖
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I didn’t need an image for this poem, Robbie – your words evoked such vivid images and motion!
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Thank you, Freya. I have finished the painting that goes with it and I’ll share it soon.
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