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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That is very stressful. I am so sorry. I hope she will heal well.
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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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Thank you, Yvette
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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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Thank you, Yvette. It’s nearly a week and she seems worse. The physiotherapist said it’s normal.
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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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Hi Maggie, she is in pain and the painkillers make her tired. The breathing exercises also hurt. It was most unlucky this happened right before winter. Thank you for your kindness.
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Very sorry to hear about your mother’s fall, Robbie. 😦
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Thank you, Dave 🙏💓
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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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Hi Dale, thank you for your lovely comment. I was just thinking that my poems are like my diary of life events. Have a lovely weekend.
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And that’s a wonderful thing!
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😊💖
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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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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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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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🙏💞
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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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Yes, Mom is very frail. She weighs 40 kilos so is tiny too.
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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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I am nearly finished, Dwight. I did a lot of layering so it’s taken extra time. I have my next project lined up already 💗
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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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Hi Tim, it’s hard to tell this early. Fractured ribs take weeks to heal. Thanks for your kind comment.
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💖 🙏
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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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Thank you, Brad. Aging parents is hard as you well know. 🩵🤗
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Indeed. 🙏
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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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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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Hi Jan, I hope she will recover okay. She is so frail now and this is the second time she’s fractured a rib in a year. 🤗💚
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Aging is not easy.
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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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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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Oh my. Your poor mom. Thankfully, you live close by. I hope she heals quickly and does her deep breathing exercises. The poems are wonderful. xo
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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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