Roberta Writes – Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge, TDWC26, The Flower Hour, and Thursday Doors

Esther Chilton's Word Prompt, photography, poetry, TDWC26, The Flower Hour, Thursday Doors 2 Minutes

Last Sunday, TC and I went for a 5 kilometre walk at the Johannesburg Country Club in Woodmead. The trees were all dressed in their autumn best and there were plenty of birds out and about enjoying the warm day. We came across a strange scene where a cat and a peahen were living together in a little domed shelter. There were water and food dishes so they are obviously fed by the residence of the surrounding houses.

I was immediately reminded of the nonsense poem by Edward Lear, ‘The Owl and the Pussy-Cat’. It was first published in 1870 in the American magazine Our Young Folks and again the following year in Lear’s own book Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany and Alphabets.

This poem is for Esther Chilton’s writing challenge which provides the word dish as the prompt. You can join in here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2026/05/06/writing-prompts-114/

It is also for Dan’s Doors Writing Challenge which you can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2026/

I’ve used Resa’s photograph for inspiration. You can find Resa’s art gowns blog here: https://artgowns.com/2026/03/22/growing-excitement/

The Peahen and the Grey Cat

The Peahen and the Grey Cat lived together

safe within the bird sanctuary’s fence.

They had a lovely home, in the shape of a dome,

there was no need for any defence.

The Peahen looked over her shoulder and said

“I’m so glad you’re my best friend

We have shelter and a comfortable bed

Here the rest of our lives we’ll spend

We’ll spend, we’ll spend

Here the rest of our lives we’ll spend

***

Grey Cat said to the Peahen, “I’m not a peacock

My modest looks verge on being quite dowdy

My tail doesn’t splay, and make a colourful display

And I’m certainly not at all exciting or rowdy

But if I commit to you, I promise I’ll be true,

We’ll can have an agreeable life together”

“Oh Grey Cat,” Peahen cried, “I can’t think of anything better

Than you and I being together forever

Forever

Forever

Than you and I being together forever

***

Just then, a man with a tray appeared

Filling the dishes with delicious treats

There was cream and berries, sardines and cherries

And even a variety of different meats

The two creatures tucked in, with a great big grins,

Dividing the spoils between them evenly

So easy as their tastes greatly varied

They knew they’d share their haven peacefully

Peacefully

Peacefully

They knew they’d share their haven peacefully

Click on the slideshow below to see the pictures of the grey cat and the peahen. Regrettably, I didn’t take a picture of their shared home.

The Flower Hour

I am posting some photographs from our walk for Terri’s The Flower Hour. These are local wildflowers that bloom in autumn.

Click on the slideshow to see the flowers.

Thursday Doors

Here a few doors from my recent trip to Paris for Dan’s Thursday Doors which you can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/05/07/carnegie-museum-doors/

This is an apartment building I spotted. I just liked it’s shape and design.

The next two photographs are of the Saint-Etienne-du-Mont Church in Paris.

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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65 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge, TDWC26, The Flower Hour, and Thursday Doors”

  2. Well, this post ran me around the block and back again! So much to see and hear! I L O V E your poem the rhythm is just so perfect I was practically singing it! Thank you for the morning jaunt across two continents!

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  10. Robbie, your poem about the peahen and the cat is delightful. Even more delightful are the photos of the two! I love how you captured the friendship between them. The doors are amazing! You’ve had wonderful travels.

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  14. Egads! I LOVE the Peahen and the Grey Cat!

    That you saw these 2 beautiful creatures living in harmony is so heartening. I wish people would learn more from animals. I love animals so much, and am a nutty cat person, so that you used my pic for your poem is a great joy.

    All your writing and pics here today are inspiraional.

    Fab painting you are working on. I look forward to the finished piece!

    Thank you, Robbie! xo

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  17. I love the poem, Robbie. The cat and the peahen have a great friendship. It’s amazing how well species get along when there’s adequate food and shelter.

    I like the flowers and the doors. I really like the first building with the corner door and the corner balconies.

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  18. The poem of the grey cat and peahen is marvelous, Robbie, and the pictures are lovely. A cat and bird living together is amazing to me. Your door pictures are fantastic!

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    1. Hi Teagan, it’s come back as viral pneumonia so good that she doesn’t need another antibiotic but bad as it is more off a time game. I’m doing everything I can with nebulising, physiotherapy, cortisone pills and a humidifier. Thank you 🤗. I’m pleased you enjoyed the poem.

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  30. I loved your peahen and cat poem. The pictures were cute, but I could never have imagined that poem coming from either of the pictures. What a great imagination! The picture I love most is the featured photo of the wonderful old building. Such grand architecture.

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