Roberta Writes – d’Verse, Dipping our Poetic Paddles and CFFC

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Truedessa’s Tuesday d’Verse guest post was to write a poem using the line The Song My Paddle Sings. You can read other contributions here: https://dversepoets.com/2025/09/30/dipping-our-poetic-paddles/

Canoeing (haibun)

When I was a girl, Dad bought Cath and I a blow-up canoe for a joint Christmas present. It was shaped like a kayak and was a vivid orange with blue paddles. Dad used to take us on day outings to Langebaan Lagoon, and we would spend the day paddling the canoe from one inlet to another around the lagoon. From time to time, we would climb out and spend some time playing on the beach. We like to build lines of sandcastles with our buckets and spades. When on the water, we were supposed to stay near the edges of the lagoon, but we usually didn’t. It was easier to paddle further out where there were no rocks and people swimming. It was also enticing. As I rowed across the calm, fairly warm water, I could hear the song my paddle sings as it rose and fell, splish splash. Mom and Dad were always distracted with our two young sisters, so Cath and I pretty much did as we pleased without either of them noticing.

I was nine and a good swimmer, I was always selected to swim backstroke in the interschool galas. Cath, however, was only five and was still learning how to swim. One hot afternoon, I rowed the canoe to close to a rock, and it scrapped along the side under the water. I was concerned so I decided to row us back to our parents so that Dad could check the canoe. My concern didn’t extend to staying to the edges though. The quickest way back was straight across the middle. We were about halfway across when I noticed that we were sitting in a puddle of water. The funny thing about taking on water is that once it starts it seems to come in quicker and quicker. I suppose the hole got bigger as the water poured in. I rowed like a mad person and quickly covered another half of the remaining distance. By this time the water was fairly deep, and the canoe was much lower in the water as the side was also deflating. I got Cath to bail out water with our beach bucket and continued to row. As soon as it was shallow enough to stand, I hopped out and dragged the canoe with Cath still bailing to the shore. That experience gave me a fright, and I never used the canoe again even though Dad patched it most effectively. Although nothing terrible happened and I didn’t have to use plan B which was to swim with Cath on my back to the shore, I was sufficiently upset by this experience to never enjoy boating on the ocean. When I do go on a boat, I am always uptight and anxious.

bright orange canoe

sinking lower and lower

as shore approaches

CFFC

Dan’s CFFC topic this week is subjects framed by nature. You can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/2025/09/29/subjects-framed-by-nature-cffc/

Picture caption: Waterfall in the Drakensberg. This picture won an Expert Commended in a Photocrowd challenge.
Picture caption: Female nyala. This photograph won an Expert Merit in a Photocrowd challenge
Picture caption: Bee in a cosmos flower
Picture caption: Vervet monkey in a tree
Picture caption: Another picture of the same vervet monkey in the tree. I was thrilled with these shots
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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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96 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – d’Verse, Dipping our Poetic Paddles and CFFC”

  3. My heart beat faster as I read your haibun, Robbie. I understand why you are leery of boating on large bodies of water. Your pics are awesome, with the vervet monkey being my favorite.

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  8. Lovely photos, Robbie, as always. I’m sorry about the fear you got from your experience. It sort of reminded me of how for years I wouldn’t go back into a hot tub after a severe case of what I think was hot tub rash. I’ve since been able to sit in hot tubs again, but not without a touch of apprehension.

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  12. I love that story, Robbie. You handled that situation very well, but I understand how it could stick with you.

    You have the best nature photos. thanks for sharing them for CFFC

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  18. Hi Robbie, I enjoyed reading your account of your canoe experience. I can see how that would make you wary, but I’m not surprised that you handled the situation confidently and I’m sure you would have carried your sister on your back to get to the shore if you needed to. I grew up around boats and water, but there were just enough times to keep me aware of the potential danger.

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    1. Yes, boats can be dangerous but so can most things we do, even driving or working. I am a Pisces and we are supposed to love water. I have a fascination with water and love photographing and painting it but I don’t love submerging in it or being on it in a flimsy craft.

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  21. That is a great childhood story but a bit scary. I can see how that can easily happen with a blow up canoe. Metal or hard plastic canoes is unlikely to puncture. The photos are amazing, especially the close up of the vervet monkey.

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  22. Its funny how childhood memories or happenings change our futures yours made you avoid canoeing again..I nearly drowned and probably would have if an eagle eyed man hadn’t noticed and dragged me out ,my mother forbade me to wear swim aids ever again…I learnt to swim without (always) the stubborn one…and love boating.

    Your images are fabulous I love the flower and that monkey in particular…I hope you have a wonderful Sunday, Robbie 🙂 xx

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  23. A scary experience, Robbie! It’s too bad it ended with you not wanting to go on boats again when you had enjoyed it so much. I love water from looking at it, too. Exquisite photos. The first one looks like a painting.

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  24. I can imagine that being a memory that never grows any kinder. Deftly retold here as I have come to expect from you. Thank you for taking me along and always being so willing to share your world.

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  31. Vivid haibun. That single traumatic experience in the canoe would make me swear off paddling too! We’ll be landlubbers together, Robbie. I’ve had a couple of experiences myself that have made me appreciate having solid ground under my feet.

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  32. I enjoyed your memory, Robbie. I can see how that would give you a healthy fear of water. When my husband was young and swimming in a pond, someone swam under him and pulled him underwater. He was always very cautious around water after that. I enjoyed how you used your experience for your poem. You are a very talented photographer, I really liked your images and how they fit the prompt so well.

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  33. What a story Robbie! A poignant Haibun.

    I dislike boating, too! I had a couple of bad experiences, one in a canoe.

    I can swim, but I don’t boat.

    Sadly, my brother-in-law drowned about 3 weeks ago. He was out on his boat, like very summer for 30 years, same lake and a sudden squall came up and overturned the boat. He was wearing his life jacket when they found his body.

    Love the animal shots! I found a Canadian animals mural recently. I thought of you, even though they were not African animals. It’s the love of animals that comes through.❦

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    1. Hi Resa, like you, I swim but I do not boat. I also do not swim in the ocean. I am sorry about your BIL. You said about this tragedy at the time and it is very hard for the family. I look forward to seeing your photographs of the animals in due course. I love having things to look forward too.

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  35. I don’t blame you. That was a terrifying experience. I’m not surprised that the Nyala photo won the challenge. It’s a wonderful photo, and those white lines look like they were just painted. Beautiful creature.

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