Roberta Writes – W3, Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge, Thursday Doors, The Flower Hour

W3 and Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge

Sally’s W3 challenge is to give a nod to another poet. I have based the rhythm and format of my poem on I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William Wordsworth. You can join in W3 here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2026/04/15/w3-prompt-207-weave-written-weekly/

Esther’s word of the week is flower/s. You can join in her challenge here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2026/04/15/writing-prompts-111/

This poem is another contribution to my Paris Diaries Poems.

Chateau de Chenonceau (Loire Valley, France)

A survivor of the French Revolution

Five-arched bridge its saving grace

Not sacked; it survived dissolution

Ladies chateau of flowers and lace

Due to it’s owner’s quick actions

It’s now a major tourist attraction

***

Famous for its facade of white stone

And spectacular gardens with terraces

Diana de Poitiers lived there alone

The first of its female heiresses

She planted flowerbeds, vegetables

And an orchard before the entrance

***

King Henry II favoured his mistress

Causing resentment by his jealous wife

When he died after a short illness

Catherine de Medici changed her life

Evicting Diana from castle and court

Queen Regent her vengeance wrought

***

The chateau received an Italian facelift

And a grand gallery over the bridge

Catherine was a notorious spendthrift

Living a life of splendour and privilege

Installing beautiful historic tapestries

While France fell deeper into anarchy

***

Madame Louise Dupin saved the castle

Nicknamed ‘goddess of beauty and music’

She advocated the bridge’s use for travel

Utilising her popularity and good ethics

In spring, the gardens still flourish

It’s natural beauty the soul does nourish

Thursday Doors and The Flower Hour

For Dan’s Thursday Doors I am showing you the exterior of the Chateau de Chenonceau and the separate tower as well as an outside cottage. You’ll have to wait until next week to see inside. You can join Dan’s Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/04/16/the-hungarian-room/

For Terri’s The Flower Hour, I’m giving you a peep at the flower displays inside Chateau de Chenonceau. You can join in The Flower Hour here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/04/14/the-flower-hour-26-lucky-flower-shots/

This is Chateau de Chenonceau

Walt Disney used the castle as the inspiration for one of his ‘Princesses’ castles. Can you guess which one?

This is the front door of Chateau de Chenonceau

This is the original tower on the site of Chateau de Chenonceau. Walt Disney used it for one of his movies. Can you guess which movie?

I really liked this cottage covered with flowering whisteria.

Click on the slideshow below to see some of the flower displays inside the chateau.

Roberta Writes – Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge and Tanka Tuesday

Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge

Esther’s challenge word this week is Vision. I am continuing my Paris series of poems and posts. You can join in Esther’s challenge here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2026/04/08/writing-prompts-110/

Medici Fountain in Jardin du Luxembourg

It looms above me

a vision in sandstone,

bronze, and marble

the Medici Fountain

heard before it’s seen

water gushing down wide stairs

into a long tree-shaded basin

in white marble

the sea nymph, Galatea,

and the mortal, Acis

make love

while from behind

the jealous cyclops, Polyphemus

represented in bronze

sneaks upon them

a dead bull across his back

Is Acis’ death a tragedy?

Or is his transformation

into a river spirit

perfect immortalisation?

I wonder

my thoughts flowing

alongside the representations of

the River Rhone and River Seine

observed by Faunus and Diana

My photographs of Medici Fountain and closeups of the sculptures are in the slideshow below.

Side view of the Medici Fountain
Close up of Polyphemus looking down on the lovers, Galatea and Acis
Close up of Galatea and Acis
Close up of Polyphemus with the dead bull across his back

My Youtube video of the Medici Fountain.

Fountaine de Leda (at the back)

Fontaine de Leda

hidden fountain

depicting in stone

the seduction of Aetolian princess, Leda

by sky and thunder god, Zeus

in the form of a swan

Leda holds the bird

on her knees while

water flows from its bronze beak

the pair, encircled by roses

are shot by an arrow

from Cupid, lurking in the corner

The Fountaine de Leda is at the back of the Medici Fountain and a lot of people miss it. I saw it because I walked around the back of the Medici Fountain to get photographs on the other side.

Tanka Tuesday

My prompt for this week was to use onomatopoeia in a poem. I’ve written a tautogram poem using onomatopoeia using the American cinquain form.

spouting

sound symphony

splishing, splashing, spraying

splattering smooth, shining surface

splendid

You can join in Tanka Tuesday here: https://tankatuesday.com/2026/04/07/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-59-onomatopoeia-in-poetry-04-07-2026/

Roberta Writes – W3, Tanka Tuesday, d’Verse and Thursday Doors

Kim at d’Verse challenged poets to write an acrostic poem using someone’s name. When I read here post here: https://dversepoets.com/2026/03/19/meeting-the-bar-tell-me-your-name/ I realised there is a lot more to this form than I have previously believed. I embraced it and wrote two acrostic poems.

The first is for Dennis’ W3 challenge to write about a lighthouse. The first letters form the words Mother Love. You can join in here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2026/03/18/w3-prompt-203-weave-written-weekly/.

The second poem forms the name of my oldest son, Gregory, who graduated from University with Honours in Mathematics this week (with distinction). He is working as a tutor at the University while he does a Masters in Homological Mathematics. This poem is for the d’Verse challenge. Thank you, Kim!

I have also written a micro poem which is between the two poems and about my son.

Mother Love (for W3)

My son, you have made me so proud. It’s an

Outstanding achievement to pass Honours with distinction. Now,

There you are on the threshold of an exciting new life. I

Hope your hard work and dedication will serve you well. You are so

Ernest in your quest to find meaning in your life. Your

Resolve to help others up the education ladder makes you a

Lighthouse in the lives of those less gifted than you. You turn the

Ordinary into something brighter and better. You are calm and never

Vexed when things don’t go your way. This quality makes you quite

Extraordinary in addition to your unusual mind and abilities.

my best qualities

in your hands have become a

lighthouse in the dark

Gregory (for d’Verse)

Guidance kindly provided in your

Responses to your students. You are

Exceptional in your patience. Ready to

Guide others on their way and help

Overcome obstacles along the

Road to success: Yours and other peoples.

You are a wonderful teacher and person

Thursday Doors

This is the door to the Great Hall where the graduation takes place. It is from last year. We were later arriving this year so I couldn’t get as good a picture due to the crowds. You can join in Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/03/19/polish-room-announcement/

These are some pictures from the graduation (click on the slideshow to see the pictures).

Roberta Writes – d’Verse Quadrille: Bird & Poetics, Embodying a Landscape & Thursday Doors

d’Verse Quadrille: Bird

I always enjoy De Jackson’s quadrille challenges. This week, the challenge is to write a poem of exactly 44 words using the word bird.

My mom fell in the early hours of Saturday morning and fractured a rib. It is a ‘blunt instrument’ injury as she tripped over a small step going into the bathroom and fell forward into the wash basin. It’s been a tough week but she seems to be on the mend. A am in the ‘dog box’ for making her do the breathing exercises every hour. They hurt but they are vital.

You can read other poets contributions here: https://dversepoets.com/2026/03/09/quadrille-243-bird-is-the-word/

Damaged Bird

Reading her message

fear swamps me

“I fell last night

I’m in terrible pain

Please come”

When I get there

she’s sitting huddled

a crumpled baby bird

fallen from its nest

Wing broken

Another trip

to the emergency room

God, don’t let this end!

Poetics: Embodying a Landscape

Dora’s challenge is to write a poem embodying a landscape. I’m not sure if I followed the instructions properly (I’m very bad at following instructions) but I have written about how my waterfall painting has led me to a place of perfect peace as I have endured Mom’s fall and a difficult leaving period from my job. This painting has been a significant art undertaking from me. I started it in early December and I’m nearly finished. I’m hoping to be done next weekend. It is my best piece so far and I look forward to sharing the finished piece with you all in due course. In the meantime, I’m sharing a photograph of the waterfall.

You can read other poet’s work here: https://dversepoets.com/2026/03/10/poetics-embodying-a-landscape/

Perfect Peace

muted colours

rainbow shades

dispersed in

soft ripples

of moving water

silver froth

dances over

water slicked rocks

each delicate bubble

tinkling gently

water fairy giggles

my mind empties

as turbulent worries

slip quietly away

and I let go

into perfect peace

Picture caption: My photograph of a waterfall I saw during a hike in the Drakensberg.

Thursday Doors

In early January 2025, my family stayed at a family hotel in the Drakensberg. I specifically wanted to do a short day hike to see the waterfalls and the ‘Grotto”.

These are a few photographs of doors at the hotel, Champagne Sports Resort.

You can join in Dan’s challenge here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/03/12/irish-room-happy-st-patricks-day/

Roberta Writes – Haiku published on Pure Haiku

Thank you to talented poet, artist and author, Freya Pickard, for publishing my haiku on Pure Haiku.

1 – 2

Roberta Writes – Reblog: Jacaranda Blue on Chewers by Masticadores

Thank you to Nolcha Fox for publishing a favourite poem as a video using one of my favourite paintings as the backdrops.

“Jacaranda Blue” by Robbie Cheadle

Roberta Writes – Tanka Tuesday, Esther Chilton’s writing challenge, d’Verse, CFFC, Thursday Doors & The Flower Hour

How many challenges can I fit into one post? Six is definitely an achievement for me.

Tanka Tuesday and Esther Chilton’s writing challenge

For Tanka Tuesday this week, Yvette asked poets to focus on mental wellness or the lack thereof. You can join in here: https://tankatuesday.com/2026/01/27/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-49-mental-health-1-27-26/

This is last week’s challenge by Esther Chilton and it was shapes. You can read what other bloggers wrote here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2026/01/21/writing-prompts-100/

I’ve written an American cinquain.

Shocking

shape of

future events

looming like thunderclouds

electrified environment

shocking

d’Verse – Quadrille

Punam challenged poets to write a quadrille using the word trip.

Road tripping

across South Africa

road starts out dark grey and smooth

toll booths at regular intervals

stop at Ermelo for coffee

see a mountain goat

road deteriorates

patched potholes, no shoulder

plenty of coal trucks

Stop at Piet Retief

restaurants closed, no power

This is the mountain goat we saw in Ermelo. What I took for a window is actually a doorway for him to get in and out of this shady enclosure.

CFFC

Dan’s CFFC challenge this week is up or down. You can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/01/26/up-or-down-or-both-cffc-jusjojan/

The gallery includes a giraffe bending down to drink and bats on the roof of the entrance to the Huhluwe-iMfolozi National Park.

My video footage of the giraffe drinking and the bats.

Thursday Doors and The Flower Hour

I am posting these photographs together because the flowers photographs were taken at Lodge Afrique and I’ve also featured the front entrance and door to the lodge.

You can join in Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/01/29/chinese-room-free-book/

You can join Terri’s The Flower Hour here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/01/27/the-flower-hour-15-desert-daisy/

Roberta Writes – Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge, CFFC, The Flower Hour & D’Verse – Sewing Terms

Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge

I’m late again but Esther’s writing challenge last week was promise. You can read other poet’s contributions here and find her latest challenge: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2025/12/10/writing-prompts-94/

The Promise (haibun)

When I was three-months old my biological father died of a massive heart attack in front of my mother. She was left on her own to raise me as best she could. According to my mother, I was a very easy baby and never fussed or cried unless I was hungry or wet. Mom believes I could sense her sadness and distress and behaved accordingly, making her life easier.

Mom also said that after my father, William Cecil Weatherburn-Baker, died, she promised me that we would always stay together. She travelled with me all the way to South Africa when I was nine-months old and when I was two years old, she married my stepdad who I refer to as Dad. Mom and I have always been together, just as she promised. When I got married, TC and I bought a house in the same road as my Mom and Dad. When Mom could no longer manage the stairs in their house, we sold it and TC and I bought a house with a cottage for my parents. They have lived there for over 21 years now. Mom turned 87 on 21 October this year (2025).

always together

Mom and I, facing the world

remarkable pair

Picture caption: Mom holding me at my Christening

D’Verse

Lillian’s d’Verse prompt is Come Sew With Me Sort Of and you can join in here: https://dversepoets.com/2025/12/09/come-sew-with-me-sort-of/

Holiday Entertainment – haibun

When I was in prep school and junior high, all the girls were obliged to take domestic science as a subject. The syllabus was split into six months of dressmaking and six months of cooking. During my first year of junior high, I was obliged to do an applique project for school. Each girl was required to draw a design on paper and then cut it out of pretty fabric. The process then involved ironing a piece of white backing onto the fabric pieces so that the fabric didn’t fray around the edges. Each piece was then sewn onto the two pillowcases and duvet cover that comprised the project deliverable. Our parents had to purchase the fabric, backing, and bed linen. I decided to create a Holly Hobbie design and took great delight in drawing each piece including a flowery pink dress, patchwork apron, and flowery bonnet. Mom kindly bought me a plain pink duvet cover and pillowcases. I meticulously cut out my shapes and ironed on the backing, ensuring the sticky side was downwards onto the fabric. I used blanket stich to sew my pieces onto the pillowcases and duvet cover. My sewing was neat and tidy and my teacher was pleased with the end result. I was delighted with my new Holly Hobbie bed linen.

I continued to use my applique knowledge to decorate bed linen for my sisters. I entertained myself this way for an entire school holiday. One day, I placed the backing back-to-front and ironed onto the sticky side. That was a disaster as the glue burned onto the iron. I managed to clean most of it off but, after this, Mom wasn’t keen on me using the iron for applique.

I kept my bed linen all through my teenage years until I was seventeen. Cath, however, decided one afternoon soon after her bed linen was finished, to cut out the Holly Hobbie with a pair of scissors. Obviously, that didn’t do the duvet cover much good and it was the end of her Holly Hobbie bedlinen set. She never got another as between the destruction of her duvet cover and Mom’s reluctance to let me use the iron, I gave up applique as a hobby.

applique

fulfilling hobby

creating

beautiful

bed linen for young sisters

came to sticky end

CFFC and The Flower Hour

Dan’s CFFC prompt this week is spring or autumn or both. I bring you spring because why think about autumn until you have to. You can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/2025/12/08/autumn-or-spring-or-both-cffc/

These pictures are also for Terri’s The Flower Hour which you can join in here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2025/12/09/the-flower-hour-10-festive-holiday-florals-and-decor/

These are pictures of the blossoms on my fruit trees.

The following two pictures are of van Gogh’s paintings in the van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. They are both of spring blossoms.

Roberta Writes – Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge: Angel, and Thursday Doors

I’m a bit late with this post but it’s been a tough week. My big transaction went live at 5.08pm tonight after four days of manic rushing about tying up loose ends and getting all the deliverables ready. This is the end of 10 weeks of hard work and I’m glad it’s done. I have another three on the go but those are smaller and more manageable.

Anyhow, on to the writing challenge. Esther’s prompt was angel. I had an idea last week which I didn’t manage to write up. Then I read Freya’s final post in her Dragon Scales poetry style series, and the following poem came all at once. So, this poem is for Esther’s challenge and is my first Dragon Scales poem. I’m not sure I got it quite right per Freya’s directions, but I’m pleased with the result. You can read Freya’s poem here: https://freyanrites.wordpress.com/2025/12/02/hollowness-verse-7/

You can read other Angel poems here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2025/11/26/writing-prompts-92/

Angel

When I was five, we moved into a house in Blairgowrie in Johannesburg. At the time, it was a typical suburban house with a low wall separating the front garden from the grassed pavement. Mom was very busy with my sister, Cath, you was only one and I spent a lot of time playing by myself.

That Christmas, Mom gifted me some old tinsel which was bald in patches. I could play with it and even cut it up into smaller pieces to use for my creative projects. I made one piece into an angel halo.

I was a good singer and was already singing in the school choir by the end of my first school year. I took it into my head to dress up as an angel and sing Christmas carols on the pavement outside my house.

I remember wearing a long white nightdress and borrowing one of my mom’s glittery evening shawls for wings. I put the halo on my head and took up a position on the pavement on my knees. Mom found me there several songs later, entertaining a gathering of pedestrians who had stopped to watch my show.

Mom was not pleased with me making an exhibition of myself.

bright

filled with light

little girl

dressed in white

a delightful sight

as day turns to night

angel

***

kind

strong of mind

intent on lifting

burden of daily grind

joy pedestrians find

Christmas redefined

angel

***

pure

no marketing lure

goodness still exists

message couldn’t be truer

there may seem fewer

but ills they still cure

angel

***

leader

to spread joy eager

innocence of youth

a child preacher

passion defines each feature

a curious Christmas teacher

angel

***

halo

colours of the rainbow

small, still child

engaged in Christmas tableau

small face all aglow

as people pass, to and fro

angel

***

hope

returns as a trope

all is not lost

viewers walk up the slope

better equipped to cope

there’s no need to mope

angel

***

life

can cut like a knife

there’d be no happiness

if we didn’t know strife

respect the midwife

take pleasure in wildlife

angel

Thursday Doors

Dan has suggested Christmas as a theme for Thursday Doors this month, so I’m going with that. You can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/2025/12/04/five-years-new-haven-connecticut/

These pictures are of the reception main door at Champagne Sports Resort Hotel where my family spent three days in early January this year. The Christmas lights and decorations were still up at that time.