Roberta Writes – d’Verse Quadrille: Bird & Poetics, Embodying a Landscape & Thursday Doors

#d'Verse, photography, poetry, Thursday Doors 2 Minutes

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

Picture caption: My photograph of a waterfall I saw during a hike in the Drakensberg.

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/

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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49 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – d’Verse Quadrille: Bird & Poetics, Embodying a Landscape & Thursday Doors”

  1. 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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  2. 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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  5. 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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  8. 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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  9. 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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    1. Hi Dan, it was so unlucky that Mom has fractured another rib. The same thing happened in March last year and it took months and months for her to recover. I’m doing everything possible to build up her health. I’m pleased you enjoyed the photographs.

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  16. I am so sorry to hear that your mother fell. That happened to me a few years back and I can attest to the fact that bruised ribs are super painful. But the breathing is helpful in healing, even though it hurts. Hoping for a speedy recovery. Love both poems!

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  17. I’m so sorry to hear that your mother has hurt herself! I know you’re taking good care of her. “Damaged Bird” was just heart-wrenching to read. I look forward to the big reveal of your waterfall painting!

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    1. Hi Liz, thank you. It’s suck bad luck this happened right before winter. She’s only just recovered from the last fractured ribs take. Anyhow, I’m doing my best to get her healthy again. The waterfall is turning out well for me.

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  19. Oh, man. I had this moment with my own Mama last November…except she didn’t tell me for a whole 24 hours. Broken hip. I felt much the same way, like the strongest woman in my life was suddenly a fragile bird (so well described!)
    Praying your mom recovers as well as mine has.

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  21. A broken bird, birds have hollow frail bones, perfect imagery. Falls indoors and out are a constant threat, especially to women with our more susceptible bones. A good thing you are close at hand. and on hand to make sure she does her breathing exercises.

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