Roberta Writes – d’Verse, W3 and Thursday Doors

#d'Verse, art, photography, Thursday Doors, Uncategorized, W3 1 Minute

It’s been a bad week. I ended up resigning from my job yesterday. It is time but its been a hard decision because there are a lot of people I like at the firm and I know they need me. This is my ninth and final resignation. But the cemeteries of the world are filled with indispensable people so the firm will go on. It will just be that much harder for the people I like and respect.

My week reflects in the poem I’ve written for d’Verse Open Link hosted by Bjorn. You can join in here: https://dversepoets.com/2026/02/12/open-link-401-and-february-live/

Vampirism

the more you give

the more some people take

attaching themselves

like starving leeches

gorging on your life blood

becoming fat and bloated

greed waxing into laziness

while you diminish

energy drained

passion destroyed

reduced to a breathing corpse

Then, they spit you out

moving on to exploit

the next high performer

W3

Svenja’s prompt: Haiga. You can join in here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2026/02/11/w3-prompt-198-weave-written-weekly/

The theme is  “Let the overall theme reflect the long-awaited shift from winter to spring.”

South African weather is very different to Northern hemisphere weather. We get no rain for over six months during the winter period and as we exit winter, it gets incredibly hot and dry before the rains come in late October or early November.

My photograph is of a beautiful red rose after a rainstorm.

scorching sun

wilted flowers dream

of spring rain

Thursday Doors

For Dan’s Thursday Doors, I am sharing a video of a building I made in Brussels. The video shows a building with all the doors and windows. The fascinating aspect of this building is that its decorated with bicycles painted in the primary colours.

I am sharing this for my talented artist and dress designer blogging friend, Resa. You can find Resa’s amazing art blog here: https://graffitiluxandmurals.com/2025/01/04/skart/. This post by Resa, titled Skart, features some amazing skateboard art and a poem about skateboarding written by me.

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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158 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – d’Verse, W3 and Thursday Doors”

  2. I’ve read lately that you’ve been disillusioned with your job, Robbie. I’m glad you took the plunge and resigned. The stress isnt worth it. I know, as talented as you are, you won’t have any trouble finding the job you are meant for. Best wishes my friend. Gorgeous pic of the flower, too. 🌸❤️

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  5. This might seem strange coming from someone largely a stranger, but I was sorry to read about your experience with work. Nine resignations speaks of something very seriously wrong and your metaphorically explicit poem reads as a damning indictment of the workplace and employer. In my experience leaving unsatisfying employment often leads to a new and positive lease of life both within the workplace and at home. Considering your literary skills I expect you will find a new job soon. I hope it delivers everything it should.

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  7. You were stressed out for so long, Robbie! It’s not worth it. Your health and well being are more important than your job. I also thought my job needed me until I had cancer and had no choice but taking 6 months off (I only needed one more year to retire). Then I knew “the world still goes on without me.” This is your ninth resignation and they always got you back. You must decided what you want for yourself. Take care!

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  9. Nine resignations is a bit crazy, Robbie. Sounds like you’re going to have to be hard-hearted for a while and take care of your own interests. Much easier for me to say than you to do, but I hope you see it through. Happy Valentine’s, hon xx

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  11. What fun to come across the bicycle building. The lovely holidays you have at least allowed you to step away from your busy work life and think what you should do. My daughter just changed jobs because it was so stressful with management above having no regard for their staff and piling more and more on them. Good luck and take sometime out!

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  13. I’m so sorry about your job and the stress it has caused you, Robbie! Nine resignations–wow. You gave them a chance. You’re health is more important. I’m sure you will find another job if and when you’re ready.

    That rose is so beautiful, and I love the bicycle art!

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    1. Hi Merril, I need some time to think about what I want to do. I can get another job but I don’t want more of the same. I need a bit of space to unwind and remember what it feels like to be relaxed and stress free. Thank you for your kind message.

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    1. Hi John, yes, enough is enough. I have given enough of myself and allowed myself to be sweet talked into staying on with promises of changes. I’ve realised that those promises will never we met because they cannot be. There is no-one else who can do what I do so it will just continue being more of the same. Thanks for the supportive comment.

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  16. Robbie, well done on taking the courage to leave a situation that was so negative and toxic. Your poem powerfully shows the absolute selfish and impossible environment to work but still it must be heartbreaking to leave behind colleagues and friendships formed over the years. Thinking of you and wishing you well. Take good care of yourself. Xx ❤️❤️

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  17. Your poem says it all. It’s hard when you’re not appreciated for the work you do by your employer and to leave on such a note is painful, Robbie. Those co-workers who hate to see you go will miss you but you have to take care of your own mental health and well-being. God bless you, Robbie. Sending lotsa love and hugs. 🤗 🥰❤️

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    1. HI Dwight, thank you for your kind comment. I can find another job but I want to ensure it doesn’t end up more of the same. I saw on FB you’ve had some heart rate issues and it seems you’ve now been discharged from hospital. Look after yourself. Hugs.

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      1. Yes, It was running up in the 140s for who knows how long. I had a cardioversion which shocked me back to normal rhythm. I seem to be doing well with a heart rate around 67. Amazing what thy can do.
        Thanks for asking!

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  20. I am really not a poet, but this resonated so hard with me. I got into a situation where I had to stick it out to gain my pension, but when I did, I had had enough of that place to last a lifetime. All the best to you.

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    1. HI Craig, I have read through the lines of some of your previous posts and I knew you were ‘toughing’ it out to retirement. A number of people in the firm I work at are in that position. I am still young enough to move and do something else. I don’t think I’m ready to retire yet. Hugs.

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      1. The lower hemisphere weather is almost opposite what it is up here. Warm weather sounds good to me right now. I don’t know if Valentine’s Day is observed there, but if it is I hope you have a happy one. 😍

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  26. Dear Robbie, I’m sorry that things came to such a state that you had to resign. But judging from your poem, I think you’ll be better off away from these blood sucking vampires. Lots of hugs.
    Love your photos and poem dear friend.

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  28. Very sorry about your job situation, Robbie, but it sounds like you made the right decision. Being exploited/used/etc. is not a good thing. Your poem eloquently expressed your frustration.

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  30. Hi Robbie, I am very sorry you had to go through that. You are a wonderful person, and I know that you know you have many friends here. It was not an easy decision, but I am sure you did the right thing. Your friend always, Charles

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  31. Robbie, I can feel how hard this week has been for you. Your poetic words are profound. That slow draining when giving becomes unsustainable. No one can thrive where they are constantly diminished. It takes courage to recognize when a season has ended, even when there are people you care about on the other side of that decision. You are absolutely right. No one is truly indispensable, and sometimes the most responsible act is to step away before the well runs dry. I hope this shift opens space for renewal. Even in climates that feel dry and relentless before the rains come, something is already preparing beneath the surface. Wishing you strength as you move into whatever comes next.

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  32. Hi Robbie, I’m not surprised that you resigned, as the frustration has been brewing with you for quite a while. I’m very sorry! You are so talented and wonderful; it’s a shame those at work just can’t see. Your poem speaks volumes! All the best to you! 😍

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      1. Hi Robbie, I think you’re right that things would never change, and that acceptance was probably freeing for you. Were they surprised? Yes, new opportunities await.

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  33. Aww, thank you, Robbie! The shout out is such a honour.

    This is a cool post.

    Well, you did resign your job, and I hope that’s cool. Any time I resigned (or out and out quit) I was a happy camper. I was thrilled to get rid of the leeches and their blood sucking. I hope you feel that too, a sense of freedom.

    HEY, I found more Skart! One day we can do SKART 2. Your poem can be about anything to do with motion, or I can reuse the old one. As soon as I see art on old skateboard pieces, there is no one else I can think of. It is such a unique comnnection.

    LOVE the bicycle art. How fabulous. Dan must be thrilled with such a wonderful contribution. And how amazing that public art makes you think of me.

    Okay, sending love, and support for your latest career move!

    ❦🕊 ~❤︎~ 🕊❦

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      1. Uch! Yes, if the job made you miserable…EF it!

        Will you look for new work, or? You have a lot going. Perhaps you can make enough $$ with your books?

        I need to send you a mail in the near future. We have the Gown/Cake post ahead.
        Also, you have the PDF on the other gown – Mnemosyne – I believe.

        And I have been holding back on Leda and the Swan, because I have a Swan gown. Perhaps that can all tie in with your Leda and the Swan post.
        I’m all for reusing what we’ve already done, in different ways!

        ❦🕊❦xo
        I’ll also try to send some of the new skateboard pics.
        WE are busy!

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  37. I think you’ve made the right decision to quit your job, Robbie. I hope your new path forward brings you fulfillment and joy. “Vampirism” resonated strongly with me. I’ve been there more times than I care to remember.

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  38. I hope this decision brings you some peace Robbie. It took me a long time to quit one of my jobs, a lot longer than it should have. But you should not let yourself be taken advantage of.
    I love that building with the bicycles! Thanks for sharing. (K)

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  39. Your poem shares what you were feeling in your job, so it sounds like you did the right thing for you. Best wishes for whatever your new path will look like. The building with the bikes is really cool. I will check out the skateboard post shortly.

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  40. Very sorry to hear about the job, Robbie. Like the sentiments of your poem goes, it sounded liked it was time. As Terri in the comments said, it’s not worth the stress. Sometimes there’s only so much we can give on the job, and so much we can get out of it.

    Lovely to learn a bit about South African weather. Here in Australia our weather is also quite different from the Northern hemisphere.

    I just finished reading This Is How We Work. Really enjoyed your poetry about presentations at work – it’s very real observations and thank you for boldly sharing about it. Wishing you well for your path ahead 🙂

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    1. Hi Mabel, thank you for your comment. You are right that sometimes we stop flourishing in an environment and then it’s time to make a change. It’s natural as we change continuously as do the people around us. Australia and South Africa often move in tandem with weather.

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  41. Your haiga is fabulous—and I love the photo of the rose! It’s always a brave decision to move on from a job, but I know it will lead to a brand new opportunity for you Robbie. 🌹

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  46. Robbie, I’m glad you’ve freed your self from the corporate vampires (before they drained you dry)! I love the Haiga – it does give a different perspective on the changing seasons!!

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      1. Robbie, I felt the same way. After 27 years I knew it was time but I had many people I liked and felt a sense of responsibility to them and the work I was doing. They’ll be alright. Just remember the mantra, “Not my monkey, not my circus”

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  49. I totally identify with you, Robbie, particularly in the poem at the top – you have to leave those leaches behind. Difficult decisions I think always work out for the best for the person making them. Breathe. Enjoy. Live!

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  50. You seem to have been unhappy with your job for a while, Robbie, and I know it took a lot out of you to give so much of your time and energy to it and not get the acknowledgment you deserved. Your poem says it all! I like the idea of a fresh start for you. Change is challenging, but it can be rewarding. My best to you on that front.

    And I appreciated the glimpse into the harsher part of your winter. We have long dry spells during our summers and I can relate to the worries that creates.

    And cool bicycles! I love that. Thanks for sharing the photo!

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