d’Verse
Laura’s prompt is for poets to write a Cadralor. I’m not sure if I got it quite right but I had a go at it below. You can join in here: https://dversepoets.com/2026/10/15/mtb-imagism-in-5/
Bird Love (American cinquain chain)
yellow
fluttering wings
hovering around nests
seeking positive attention
weaver
***
lilac
breasted roller
amazing acrobat
attired in dramatic colour
palette
***
sitting
silhouetted
against vivid blue sky
yellow billed toucan surveys its
surrounds
***
blending
into background
pair of spotted thick knees
prominent yellow eyes darting
around
***
watching
courtship rituals
birds soaring and swooping
my heart yearns for perceived freedom
of wings
Tanka Tuesday
Melissa’s challenge is to write an Alouette. You can join in here: https://tankatuesday.com/2026/10/13/tankatuesday-no-86-alouette-10-13-26/
Woolly-necked stork
black skullcap adorns
wig-style woolly neck
atop black judicial suit
reminiscent of
criminal court judge
handing down a death sentence
***
slow, silent hunters
shy and secretive
living alone or in pairs
round water sources
in arid areas
occasionally soaring
Below are my two photographs of a woolly-necked stork
Sunday Stills and Thursday Doors
Hugh is hosting Sunday Stills on behalf of Terri here: https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2026/10/11/sunday-stills-photo-challenge-steps-stairs/
Dan is hosting Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/10/15/october-doors/
My photographs are of Chateau du Chambord in the Loire Valley in France.
The Double Helix Staircase
The double helix staircase is believed to have been designed by Leonard da Vinci and is the most striking architectural featuring of the Chateau de Chambord. Positioned in the centre of the immense square-shaped keep, the celebrated staircase comprises of two sets of staircases twisting one above the other to get to the main floors of the building. When two people climb the stairs at the same time, they can see each other at intervals but will never meet. The stairs were intended to be used by each of the King’s wife and his mistresses.
The two pictures below are my photograph of the staircase as drawn by an artist and my photograph of the staircase from my visit to Chambord.
Your cadralor suits beautifully in each picture. I like the yellow bird and the staircase, Robbie. Lovely post and happy weekend!
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Oh Robbie, your bird poetry is beautiful. It’s a celebration of our feathered friends.
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Lovely bird descriptions and photos, Robbie.
The staircase is amazing.
For a Cadralor, each stanza must be separate and distinct, and then the fifth stanza brings them all together. It’s tricky: https://gleampoets.org/
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nicely done Robbie
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What a fun and diverse collection of birds, and lovely verse to compliment them.
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Beautiful poetry and photos, Robbie 😍. That staircase is a true wonder!
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feathers in your cap all around here, Robbie
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I love the rationale for the double-helix staircase at Chambord! I enjoyed the bird descriptions and photos, too.
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