Roberta Writes – d’Verse: Borrowing Bishop and CFFC

#CFFC, #d'Verse 3 Minutes

d’Verse

Dora’s prompt is as follows: “For your first poetics challenge of the year, I’d like you to dip your word-brush into Bishop’s poetic inkpot, as it were, consciously incorporating accuracy (detail), spontaneity (immediacy), and mystery (revelation) to write your own original poem.“

I chose to model my poem on The Moose which you can read here: https://poets.org/poem/moose

You can read other poet’s poems here: https://dversepoets.com/2026/01/06/poetics-borrowing-bishop/

CFFC

Dan’s photograph prompt this week is full or empty. I’ve woven these photographs into the poem. You can join in CFFC here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/01/05/full-or-empty-or-both-cffc-jusjojan/

The Leopard

In the brackish and lush wetlands

where the warm and salty Indian Ocean

meets the fresh water uMfolozi River

a meandering estuary characterised by

significant sediment and sand deposition

resulting in extensive sand dunes

and marine deposits from ancient sea retreats

Picture caption: Sand dunes at St Lucia. Photograph by Robbie Cheadle. Empty!

***

Here, the foaming waves ride roughshod

over the vast expanses of golden sand

interspersed with black streaks of titanium

the beach wears a dark almost metallic sheen

basking brightly in the rays of the morning sun

heavy clouds fat with rain scud across the sky

Ocean at St Lucia
Ocean and beach at St Lucia

***

Cloying fragrance of sweet acacia trees

adorned with yellow pom-pom flowers

hiding lethally long and sharp thorns

dance on the soft wind, vying for attention

with the bright yellow Portia Tree flowers

sheltering under their perforated leaves

Sweet acacia flowers and thorns
Perforated leaves

***

Shallow, murky lakes occupied by pods

of lazily lounging hippos, heads resting on backs

reminiscent of humans relaxing after a picnic

slight change of water currents disturbs

thick layer of sunken feces and sediment

suddenly, the water boils – is it tea time?

Hippo yawning
Hippo resting on his neighbour
Hippo considering

***

On faded tarmac slick with drizzling rain

past trees and bushes home to much

including the fiercely protective tailor ants

who stitch together living leaves to create

a complex nest; larvae silk doubles as strong thread

their large, red bodies vibrating with rage

Picture caption: tailor ants protecting their home. You can see the silk threads around the edges of the ‘stitched’ leaves
My Youtube video of the tailor ants shaking with rage

***

The nature enthusiasts ooh and aah

stretches of shimmering water filled

with pale lilac waterblommetjies

their golden centres raised sunwards

surrounded by vibrant green pads

that serve as stepping stones for birds

Picture caption: wetlands packed with waterlilies (waterblommetjies)

***

African jacana, its feathers a rich auburn

opens it bright blue beak and cries

skating across the water, long toes outstretched

“I don’t like it,” the UK visitor declares

“It looks like a spider as it runs along”

I think, Isn’t nature clever, what an amazing bird

African jacana
African jacana skating on waterlilies

***

And then I see a flash of green on brown

“It’s a painted reed frog,” our guide grins

his pleasure at my enthusiasm evident

pointing, he shows us two other tiny frogs

one lurking on a plant with which it blends

another splatted with vivid yellow spots

***

Safari vehicle starts up, roar invading the peace

it lurches down the lumpy, bumpy road

“Stop! Stop!,” I cry, “it’s a Senegal Coucal,”

red eyes searching for its favourite meals

of caterpillars, insects, and small vertebrates

it’s gorgeous in black, chestnut and creamy white

Picture caption: Senegal Coucal in the Isimangaliso Wetlands

***

Rounding a corner – what a magnificent sight

a male kudu with a splendid pair of corkscrew horns

nonchalantly, he gives himself a scratch

before settling down to his morning snack

of leaves, vines, shoots, flowers and pods

a splendid example of a southern African antelope

Picture caption: Gorgeous male kudu in the Isimangaliso Wetlands. Photograph by Robbie Cheadle.

***

A bakkie approaches from the opposite direction

driver stops, face flushed red, eyes sparkling with joy

“There’s a young leopard just down the road”

she imparts this message with much enthusiasm

I keep my hope at a low ebb, so much thick bush

it’s unlikely we’ll spot it again, no doubt he’s gone

***

Rounding the corner, oh, what a splendid sight

young male leopard saunters casually onto the road

emerging from the dense bush like a vision

cameras whirr and cell phones click, click, click

yellowish coat covered in dark, rose-like rosettes

highlighted against the wet shimmer of the road

Picture caption: Young male leopard in the road. Photograph by Robbie Cheadle

***

Reaching the other side, he turns to look

at this still metal box filled with silent watchers

amber eyes consider us for a thrilling moment

then, disinterested, he turns away

a flick of white tipped tail and he’s gone

no-one speaks, stunned by our good luck

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

Published

47 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – d’Verse: Borrowing Bishop and CFFC”

  4. You outdid yourself with this splendid nature-documentary poem, Robbie! 😊 Lively descriptions and stunning photos. You saw such amazing sights. Imagine someone not like the African jacana–I agree with your opinion (at least from my kitchen table 😉).

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  5. This is so cool, Robbie. I love how you combined poetry with nature pictures. The spiny Acadia trees are a LOT like the mesquite trees around here (western Texas). The jacana bird is beautiful, and the kudu is magnificent!

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  14. Wow! Robbie, thank you for this beautiful safari tour through your superb poem, the wonderful photos and insights through the videos. I felt as if I was there and can feel your excitement and joy during your visit.

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  16. Impressive, Robbie! I love the poems and photos also interspersed with short videos… splendid post! 💖 And the horns or antlers of the male kudu are simply magnificent 😮

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  20. This was a fascinating exercise in call-and-response poetry. I read the Elizabeth Bishop poem first, then yours. As I read “The Moose,” I recognized the images immediately and saw them in my mind’s eye. The Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, specifically Economy where my grandmother grew up. When I read your poem, I had a general sense of the landscape, but I needed the photos to to see exactly what everything looked like.

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  23. I’m smiling in joy and awe at the wonders you detail, Robbie, each creature and plant as unique as the next. I love the mix of humor and insight, the opening of a new world to those of us who have never visited this beautiful corner of God’s green and mysterious earth. The encounter with the leopard, “yellowish coat covered in dark, rose-like rosettes/ highlighted against the wet shimmer of the road” was a moment of shared reverence I think among the tourists along with “admiration” — raw power, danger so near, yet so amazing to behold. I could see it all through your eyes, words and pictures! I’m so glad you’re home safe and sound from your trip, and so glad you shared this experience with us. Thank you!

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