Roberta Writes – Tanka Tuesday and The Flower Hour

Tanka Tuesday

Melissa’s challenge is to write a haiku or micro poem that is a little edgy or off beat. I’m not sure mine fit the criteria of edgy but here they are.

You can join Tanka Tuesday here: https://tankatuesday.com/2026/05/26/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-66-exploring-haiku-5-26-26/

three giraffes

exchanging news at

The Salt Lick

Picture caption: These three giraffes all look so startled. The photograph gave me a giggle.

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ginger calf

walks with confidence

tail flicking

Picture caption: Ginger giraffe calf with a ox pecker on its neck

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eager mom

awkwardly bending

to reach treat

Picture caption: These giraffes really made me laugh. They looked so funny. This one had five ox peckers on its back.

The Flower Hour

These photographs of South African autumn / early winter flowers are for Terri’s The Flower Hour. You can join in here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/05/26/the-flower-hour-32-going-to-the-dog-woods/

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

90 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Tanka Tuesday and The Flower Hour

  1. The poems certainly highlight the giraffes’ efforts to get water and salt, Robbie! They are so awkward looking as they splay their legs to bend down, but look so stately as they walk and lope along. I love all those beautiful aloe plants! We saw many of these in the Arizona desert too!

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      1. Love your writing, Robbie.
        I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a giraffe in real life. If I did, it would be as a kid, at the zoo.

        I was very young when I stopped going to the zoo. It broke my heart to see the animals like prisoners.
        I know zoos have improved greatly since I was young. The enclosures are more like mini habitats, and more respects are given the animals.

        Also, I understand that in today’s world this is a way to protect and preserve them. Still, it bothers me that it has come to this.

        On another hand we now have nature reserves for animals… acres, not cages.

        You won me over immediately with your love for animals, and awareness you create.

        Thank you, Robbie!

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  2. I love those flower pictures, and giraffe pictures, and the edgy and fun giraffe poems. We are visiting our grandson in Baltimore and yesterday we went to the Zoo and the giraffes put on a good show for us.

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          1. Yes and sometimes zoos take handicapped animals, such as eagles with broken wings, that wouldn’t survive on their own. However, it is terrible when zoos put animals in small spaces, or they are completely alone.

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      1. Thanks so much, Robbie. I’m praying I’ll find you with some space to beta-read but only if you’ll be able to. I know you’re literally and literary extremely busy.

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  3. They always look so awkward, but they do seem quite at ease, even though momentarily startled 😊 The haiku speak the photos to life. And such delightful flowers too …

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