d’Verse Quadrille: Bird
I always enjoy De Jackson’s quadrille challenges. This week, the challenge is to write a poem of exactly 44 words using the word bird.
My mom fell in the early hours of Saturday morning and fractured a rib. It is a ‘blunt instrument’ injury as she tripped over a small step going into the bathroom and fell forward into the wash basin. It’s been a tough week but she seems to be on the mend. A am in the ‘dog box’ for making her do the breathing exercises every hour. They hurt but they are vital.
You can read other poets contributions here: https://dversepoets.com/2026/03/09/quadrille-243-bird-is-the-word/
Damaged Bird
Reading her message
fear swamps me
“I fell last night
I’m in terrible pain
Please come”
When I get there
she’s sitting huddled
a crumpled baby bird
fallen from its nest
Wing broken
Another trip
to the emergency room
God, don’t let this end!
Poetics: Embodying a Landscape
Dora’s challenge is to write a poem embodying a landscape. I’m not sure if I followed the instructions properly (I’m very bad at following instructions) but I have written about how my waterfall painting has led me to a place of perfect peace as I have endured Mom’s fall and a difficult leaving period from my job. This painting has been a significant art undertaking from me. I started it in early December and I’m nearly finished. I’m hoping to be done next weekend. It is my best piece so far and I look forward to sharing the finished piece with you all in due course. In the meantime, I’m sharing a photograph of the waterfall.
You can read other poet’s work here: https://dversepoets.com/2026/03/10/poetics-embodying-a-landscape/
Perfect Peace
muted colours
rainbow shades
dispersed in
soft ripples
of moving water
silver froth
dances over
water slicked rocks
each delicate bubble
tinkling gently
water fairy giggles
my mind empties
as turbulent worries
slip quietly away
and I let go
into perfect peace
Thursday Doors
In early January 2025, my family stayed at a family hotel in the Drakensberg. I specifically wanted to do a short day hike to see the waterfalls and the ‘Grotto”.
These are a few photographs of doors at the hotel, Champagne Sports Resort.
You can join in Dan’s challenge here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/03/12/irish-room-happy-st-patricks-day/
roberta-writes.com 
The poems were very beautiful. Damaged Bird was very touching and moving. I guess that you were thinking of your mom when writing Damaged Bird. I can certainly understand that things are tough right now. I hope your mom is healing well.
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Hi Thomas, it’s hard to tell if she’s improving currently. A fractured rib takes at least 6 weeks to heal and elderly people can develop breathing issues if they don’t breath deeply due to pain. She is doing breathing exercises.
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Oh Robbie, I am so sorry your mum had a fall, I am in the very same predicament here… and Damaged Bird is such a perfect quadrille, the total vulnerability…. I hope she improves soon.
I can’t wait to see your waterfall painting, your perfect peace poem captures how I feel at waterfalls too. I walked behind a waterfall in Switzerland, with the most stunning scenery seen out to the mountains and valley, I must try and find the photo… 💞Suzanne
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Hi Suzanne, thank you for your kind message. It’s awful seeing Mom in pain. The waterfall you saw sounds gorgeous. I love watching water flowing.
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💞
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Prayers coming on Bended Wing for you and your mom Robbie.
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Thank you, Patty. Have a good weekend.
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Both poems are wonderful, Robbie! Sending healing energy to your mom! I know how hard it is to watch our moms in pain. 😥
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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I’m so sorry to read about your mother’s fall and injury! I hope she’s feeling better soon. Your “Damaged Bird” poem is very touching.
That waterfall is beautiful!
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Robbie I am so sorry to hear mum had a fall.
Damaged bird says so much.
I hope she is not in too miuch pain now.
Hugs xo
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Very sorry to hear about your mother’s fall, Robbie. 😦
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Damaged bird is gorgeous and heartful. I hope your mother recovers swiftly.
Perfect Peace is lovely and I cannot wait to see your painting!
What lovely photos of the hotel.
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I’m very sorry to hear about your mother’s fall. Broken ribs are painful. I understand your position — doing what’s necessary but not being welcome. Your poem expresses those emotions very well. I like the second poem, and I love the doors, particularly the first and last photos. There’s so much depth in those photos, so much life. Very nice.
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Three lovely responses. The bird image works too well in your first poem. Your mom is lucky you are near. I am lucky to have a waterfall near. They are good therapy.
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Hi Deanna, it was truly upsetting to find mom in this state. I would love to have a waterfall close by but we have to travel out of the city to find waterfalls.
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I hope your mom mends quickly.
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Such a lovely post. I love the images you evoked in the poem about your mother’s fall. We do become such frail creatures in our old age.
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A sad but beautifully written poem about your mother. So sorry to hear of her fall. I am anxious to see your waterfall painting!
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Fantastic poetry, Roberta, and great pictures of the hotel doors. I hope your mom is recovering from her fall.
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I’m sorry about your mom’s fall, but glad you are coping with poetry and painting.
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Ouch, your poor mom! I enjoyed the poems, and I think the thatch roof on the Champagne Sports Resort is really cool.
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