Roberta Writes – Tanka Tuesday, TDWC26, Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge, CFFC, Bird of the Week, Sunday Stills and Thank you’s

Tanka Tuesday

Colleen’s challenge is to write a poem using homophones. You can join in here: https://tankatuesday.com/2026/05/19/first-sighting-tankatuesday-fun-with-homophones/

Gaining Wisdom (American cinquain)

learning

to wait, suss out

people and surroundings

assessment lends weight to future

choices

TDWC26 and Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge

This is the last week of Dan’s TDWC26. I’ve used a photograph by Yvette Prior. You can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2026/

Esther’s challenge for this week is eyes. As the glass inlets in the doors reminded me of eyes, I put the two challenges together. You can join in Esther’s challenge here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2026/05/20/writing-prompts-115/

I spy with my little eye …

something …

but what is it?

“A hartebeest,” says TC

“I disagree. It’s a common tsessebe.”

“A tess… a … what?“

“A tsessebe.”

“There’s no such creature!

Check on your phone.“

“Hmmm! AI says … it’s an elk.”

“What! You don’t get elk in South Africa.“

“I know that. Let me try a different picture.

“Now AI says its a mammal.”

“What kind of mammal?“

“AI doesn’t go into details. It’s just a mammal.”

“Useless AI. It’s having illusions.“

“Not really. A tsessebe is a mammal.”

The two sets of photographs below are of first a hartebeest and second a tsessebe. You can see how similar they look.

Bird of the Week

I took this photograph on Friday at Pilanesberg Game Reserve. TC and I were there for two days to celebrate his birthday which is tomorrow. It’s not the best of my photographs (TC was hogging my camera) but it was such a striking blue that I’m using it for this poem. It’s nice not having to work on a Friday in my new job. If I do have to work on a Friday, I get another day off at a later date so that is very nice for me.

You can join in Bird of the Week here: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2026/05/19/indian-grey-hornbill-birds-of-the-week-invitation-clxix/

Malachite Kingfisher (freestyle poem)

Perching atop a reed

surveying its surrounds

Malachite kingfisher

Drops!

Splash!

Pops up with a struggling captive

small fish

grasped around its middle

Toss!

It flops

Into an open beak

Swallow!

Sunday Stills

Terri is showcasing babies this week for Sunday Stills. I just happened to have photographed a few babies at Pilanesberg this weekend.

You can join in Sunday Stills here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/05/24/sunday-stills-always-be-my-baby/

Two pictures of an adorable zebra foal.

Photographs of a giraffe foal. It’s main and coat are still ginger, the colouring of newborn giraffes.

Photographs of young kudus. These are adolescents.

CFFC

Dan is showcasing signs. I rarely photograph signs but this one at the lodge gave me a giggle. You can join in CFFC here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/05/18/leftover-signs/

Thank you!

Thank you to wonderful poet and author, Freya Pickard, who shared a wonderful review of my book, Burning Butterflies. You can read Freya’s review here: https://purehaiku.wordpress.com/2026/05/22/burning-butterflies/

A huge thank you to Sally Cronin from Smorgasbord Blog Magazine for showcasing an extract from my poetry book: Burning Butterflies. You can read Sally’s lovely post here: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2026/05/23/smorgasbord-book-promotions-2026-share-an-excerpt-boost-one-of-your-books-poetry-art-burning-butterflies-poetry-about-southern-african-flora-and-fauna-by-robbie-cheadle/