Roberta Writes – Tanka Tuesday, CFFC, The Flower Hour and Bird of the Week

#CFFC, art, Bird of the Week, photography, poetry, Tanka Tuesday, The Flower Hour 1 Minute

Tanka Tuesday

This week, Yvette is the host of Tanka Tuesday. You can read her prompt and participate here: https://tankatuesday.com/2026/07/21/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-74-oh-to-dream-7-21-26/

Cotton Candy Dreams

cotton candy dreams

puffy clouds of nothingness

idealistic wisps

of leftover childhood hopes

packaged in lulling sweetness

***

casually consumed

around the boardroom table

ingested in bites

by competitive colleagues

and never-ending deadlines

***

tsunami of life

dissolving spun sugar strands

shrinking floss right down

into a messy syrup

ready to be wiped away

CFFC, The Flower Hour & Bird of the Week

Dan’s CFFC challenge this week is purple. You can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/07/20/the-crayola-box-of-8-purple-cffc/

My poem and pictures of the lilac-breasted roller are for Bird of the Week which you can join in here: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2026/07/21/yellow-legged-gull-birds-of-the-week-invitation-clxxviii/

Close up of a lilac-breasted roller sitting on a slender branch of a tree in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Photograph by Robbie Cheadle.
Picture caption: Close up of a lilac-breasted roller sitting on a slender branch of a tree in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Photograph by Robbie Cheadle.

lilac-breasted roller (shadorma)

violet

flash against azure

swooping and

swan diving

uttering discordant cries

breeding season dance

This is my watercolour painting of a lilac-breasted roller.

Water colour painting of a lilac-breasted roller on a branch by Robbie Cheadle.

My purple iris and jacaranda tree in blossom are for Terri’s The Flower Hour here: http://secondwindleisure.com/2026/07/21/the-flower-hour-40-floral-abcs-focusing-on-ghi/

Purple iris against a background of green foliage.
Picture caption: Purple iris. Photograph by Robbie Chealdle

This is my acrylic painting of a jacaranda tree. I particularly like it because when placed in the sunshine, the purples change colour and shades of pink, blue and purple become evident.

Acrylic jacaranda tree painting in the sun and glowing with pink and pale purple highlights.
Acrylic jacaranda tree painting demonstrating lighter and darker shares of purple with pinkish undertones.
Acrylic jacaranda tree showing shares of white and very pale purple amid the darker purples.
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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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53 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Tanka Tuesday, CFFC, The Flower Hour and Bird of the Week”

  1. I think that jacaranda tree painting will sell thousands of dollars! I love it, Robbie. Your hands have magic, stroking those colors. Amazing, just amazing!

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  6. Your poems and images are wonderful and inspiring. I have to say that all of your artwork is superb, Robbie. You are truly gifted in many ways. Thank you so much for sharing your gifts.

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  13. Oh where to start? I enjoyed the visions evoked in the cotton candy poems, Robbie! The lilac breasted roller is beautiful and you caught it so perfectly in the photo and in the amazing painting. Love the jacaranda trees, wish they grew here! As always, amazing talents, my friend!

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  18. I love your artwork, Robbie!

    Our irises are out of season now, so it’s nice to see yours.

    I haven’t seen a jacaranda tree for at least a decade. I remember them being so beautiful. And so messy.

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  26. Robbie, your bird painting is one of your best. Wow! The Cotton Candy poem has some sadness woven into truth. Well done. Love the purple iris.

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