Category: Thursday Doors

Roberta Writes – Tanka Tuesday, W3, Bird of the Week & Thursday Doors

It’s been a crazy week! Is there any other kind of week, I wonder. I attended New Partner Induction on Monday and Tuesday and a Partner Conference from Wednesday to Friday. So many new ideas and new people. My coping mechanism is to draw and paint and write poems so I have three poems to share with you today. I have also started a new art project – my biggest to date and perhaps my most ambitious. Michael thinks its ambitious but I just think its just bigger. All my art projects are very ambitious at the time of initiation. I push myself further with each new painting.

Tanka Tuesday

Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday challege this week is to write a tanka Puente poem with the theme of light vs dark.

Colleen has also announced the submission dates to the new Sunflower Tanka anthology 2027. I would love it if you participated and submitted your syllabic poems. You can find out more by reading Colleen’s post here: https://tankatuesday.com/2026/07/07/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-72-tanka-puente-7-7-26/

Something New, something older

room of new partners

most young – bright eyed and bushy tailed

full of excitement

ready to take on the world

determined to make their mark

AI won’t replace humans, but humans who use AI will replace those who don’t—Sam Altman, CEO, OpenAI

sprinkling of old hands

pockmarks on golden surface

engaged yet cautious

veterans of corporate wars

survivors of constant flux

More excitement with Sunflower Tanka! Colleen and I are running a new series to promote the anthologies. You can read the first post here: https://sunflowertankaanthology.com/2026/07/10/introduction-to-contributor-chris-hall-her-review-of-sunflower-tanka-an-anthology-of-tanka-tanka-prose-experimental-tanka/

W3

Jodi’s prompt is “For this prompt, write a poem in which every line is a lie — except one.“

No, I didn’t write about AI – hehe! You can decide if what is a lie, if anything. Lies in this poem are in the eyes of the beholder.

Some Days

Some days the sun does not rise

Golden horses do not pull the fiery ball

across the blue washed sky

Cotton tailed clouds do not gambol and play

Flowers do not bloom

do not expose fragrant centres

to buzzing bees and butterflies

the day does not progress

all remains in darkness

Other days

the sun leaps into the sky

washing the world

in golden light

Bird of the Week

You can join in Bird of the Week here: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/bird-of-the-week-invitation/ and read the latest post here: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2026/07/07/common-gull-birds-of-the-week-clxxvi/

Racing or The World’s Dumbest Bird

Kori bustards are Africa's largest bird that can fly. They have grey and white feathers on their longish necks, small heads with a black feather 'cap' on top, brown body feathers and long slim legs

Two kori bustards

racing down the road

are they trying to escape

our slow paced vehicle

(perhaps its TC’s purple jersey

I hate it too)

Or

is the male chasing the female

male kori bustards

have a bad reputation

for playing the field

attempting to breed

with as many females as possible

but taking no responsibility

for the resultant off spring

(Hey! that sounds familiar …)

One goes left

the other right

they appear the same size

more or less

but males are up to 40% larger

my perception must be wrong

(what about yours?)

Picture caption: I see you? he thinks

Mr Right looks confused

(there’s a surprise!)

glancing over his shoulder

as I hang out of my window

(you’re not supposed to do this!

what if I fell out

got eaten by a lion

or worse yet

kidnapped by a baboon)

snap! snap! snap!

As we slowly pass

Mr Right warms up to the idea

of posing for the camera

gives me his best side

(can you see his smile?)

Picture caption: kori bustard posing for the camera

Thursday Doors

My blogging friend, Brian, featured a photograph of the gargoyles of Notre Dame pre the fire. You can read his post here: https://equinoxio21.wordpress.com/2026/07/07/random-travels-umpteen/. I am sharing a few pictures I took of Notre Dame and its gargoyles so Brian can rest assured they are thriving. My shots aren’t as good as his!

The doors are for Dan’s Thursday Doors challenge which you can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/07/09/old-sturbridge-village-6-26/

First Notre Dame and its doors:

  • Notre Dame from the front with its ornate front door and two towers
    Notre Dame from the front with its ornate front door and two towers
  • The ornately carved entrance and doors of Notre Dame (front doors)
    The ornately carved entrance and doors of Notre Dame (front doors)
  • Another door into Notre Dame. This entrance was closed so the shot didn't have people in it.
    Another door into Notre Dame. This entrance was closed so the shot didn’t have people in it.

These are the gargoyles. My friend, Chris, also likes gargoyles. You can find Chris’ blog here: https://lunas-online.com/2026/07/10/a-spaceship/

  • A row of gargoyles on the roof of Notre Dame. The front one has horns.
    A row of gargoyles on the roof of Notre Dame. The front one has horns.
  • The silhouette of a gargoyle on the roof of Notre Dame. He has wings but no horns.
    The silhouette of a gargoyle on the roof of Notre Dame. He has wings but no horns.
  • A long row of gargoyles along the side of Notre Dame. There is scaffolding in the background.
    A long row of gargoyles along the side of Notre Dame. There is scaffolding in the background.

Roberta Writes – Tanka Tuesday, CFFC, Thursday Doors & Sunday Stills

It doesn’t rain in Johannesburg during the winter. At least it never did until this year. This week, after the winter solstice, we got rain and a heavy mist. While in the traffic on my way into the office, I wrote this poem and took the accompanying photograph. Unusual for my home city.

This poem is a lai comprising of nine lines for Melissa’s Tanka Tuesday challenge. You can join in here: https://tankatuesday.com/2026/06/23/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-70-the-lai-6-23-26/

Slish! Splosh! Splash!

grey cloud hovers low

golden headlights glow

splish splosh

car snake ultra slow

drizzle impacts flow

my gosh

large puddle – oh no!

mud streaks quite a blow

must wash

Picture caption: A picture of two cranes in Sandton on my drive to work. They are obscured by mist and look rather ghostly and ethereal

Thursday Doors, CFFC, and Sunday Stills

Dan’s CFFC challenge is blue. I have found blue pictures for Dan’s Thursday Doors challenge and Terri’s Sunday Stills wild animals challenge.

You can join in Dan’s CFFC here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/06/22/the-crayola-box-of-8-blue-cffc/

You can join in Dan’s Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/06/25/czechoslovak-room/

You can join in Terri’s Sunday Stills here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/06/21/sunday-stills-animal-of-the-month-where-the-wild-things-are/

Picture caption: I loved the doors of this building, 3 Place Denfert-Rochereau, Paris. The late evening sky turned the white of the building blue and the light glows a lovely yellow from the inside. I liked the arched shape of these large doors with the square inlay.

Click on the slideshow to view two giraffes that I saw at Welgevonden Game Reserve in the Waterkloof, South Africa. This is a series of three photographs of the heads and upper necks of two young giraffes against a bright, blue sky. In the first photograph, the two animals are close together but apart. In the second and third photograph, the two giraffes have crossed their necks at the top so that their heads are pointing in opposite directions. In the second photo, the animals are looking straight ahead while in the last photograph they are looking up with their heads angled upwards.

Picture caption: Dam at Pilanesberg Game Reserve with autumn foliage in the front and hills in the background. the predominant colour is misty blue
Picture caption: small dam on the golf course at the Johannesburg Country Club in Woodmead. The sky is very blue and so is the water.
Picture caption: Trees in autumn red and yellow at the Johannesburg Country Club. The sky is a bright blue.

Roberta Writes – d’Verse – poetics, W3, Bird of the week, and Thursday Doors

d’Verse, W3 & Bird of the week

I’ve put all three of these challenges together this week.
Dora’s d’Verse poetics challenge is something borrowed, something blue. You can join in here: https://dversepoets.com/2026/06/02/poetics-something-borrowed-something-blue/

Deanna’s W3 challenge is to include a character from a nursery rhyme. You can join in here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2026/06/03/w3-prompt-214-weave-written-weekly/

You can join in the bird of the week challenge here: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2026/06/02/tufted-duck-birds-of-the-week-invitation-clxxi/

I have written five syllabic poems, on for each component of Dora’s challenge. Each verse includes a character from a nursery rhyme as well as a bird.

Something Old (American cinquain)

hungry

white backed vulture

Old Mother Hubbard like

searching surrounding area

for bones

Below are two of my photographs of a white backed vulture taken in the Hluhluwe National Game Reserve in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.

Something New (American cinquain)

loeries

propagators

of seeds; gardeners like

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary

green birds

Picture caption: My photograph of a grey loerie in a tree. This is one of my garden residents.

Something Borrowed (tanka)

greater honeyguide

lays its eggs in foreign nests

bold brood parasite

runs away like Knave of Hearts

but she bypasses capture

Something Blue (tanka)

flash of brilliance

Little Boy Blue look alike

European roller

favours warm, open country

at home in meadows and fields

Picture caption: My photograph of a European roller in the Hluhluwe National Game Reserve. Can you say Hluhluwe?

Sixpence in Her Shoe (shadorma)

kingfisher

excavates tunnels

laying eggs

its treasure

better than a golden pear

or silver nutmeg

Picture caption: My photograph of a kingfisher in the Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa.

Thursday Doors

Today I’m sharing photographs of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. You can join in Thursday Doors here:

This is what Wikipedia says about the Arc de Triomphe: https://nofacilities.com/2026/06/04/iowa-doors-2/

The Arc de Triomphe, is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, France. It is located at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, at the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle—formerly known as the Place de l’Étoile—named for the star-shaped configuration formed by the convergence of twelve radiating avenues. The monument is situated at the intersection of three arrondissements: the 16th (to the south and west), the 17th (to the north), and the 8th (to the east). Commissioned to honor those who fought and died for France during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, the Arc bears the names of French victories and generals engraved on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I, marked by an eternal flame commemorating unidentified fallen soldiers.

Picture Caption: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Roberta Writes – d’Verse, TDWC26, Sunday Stills, The Flower Hour, and Thursday Doors

After six weeks of sabbatical, I am starting a new job on Monday. I’m glad I was able to see Paris over Easter and nurse my mother and Michael through the new Flu B. It is a reduced hours job so I’ll see how that goes. Wish me luck.

d’Verse, TDWC26, Sunday Stills, and The Flower Hour

Restless Jo provided a delightful photograph for Dan’s TDWC26. This yellow, blue and white house was the initial inspiration for my haibun below. You can join Dan’s challenge here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2026/

Punam from d’Verse provided some artworks as inspiration for her Poetics Tuesday: What art says challenge. You can join in here: https://dversepoets.com/2026/05/12/poetics-tuesday-what-art-says/

Terri’s Sunday Stills challenge is pastels. My Primrose antique doll and the flowers in the background are pastels. The flowers are for Terri’s The Flower Hour challenge too.

You can join in Sunday Stills here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/05/10/sunday-stills-monthly-color-challenge-pink-and-pastels/

You can join in The Flower Hour here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/05/12/the-flower-hour-30-camellia-a-little-closer/

A Fresh Coat of Paint (haibun)

Picture caption: Yellow, blue, and white house photograph contributed by Restless Jo

Primrose looked at her freshly painted home with satisfaction. Arthur had recently finished reading a first edition of Tom Sawyer. He’d been so inspired he’d volunteered to give her dolls house home a fresh look. It looked terrific. Its yellow, blue, and white walls sparkled under the bright display lights of the antique children’s books and toys room.

She glanced at the tapestry on the opposite wall. The dark yellow room was exquisitely sew with careful, even stitches. She liked the wall hanging and it helped to keep the room warm and snug. Museums were drafty. She was glad she had her delightful dolls house to live in and her home wasn’t merely a 2D dream.

rainbow dreams elude

bricks and mortar evidence

my reality

Picture caption: Art inspiration provided by Punam

Click on the bar to view Primrose, an antique doll form Faversham in England, with a background of roses I received for Mothers Day last Sunday. A little past their prime but they are still pretty … and pastel. You will also see Arthur, a vintage doll from Graaf Reinet in South Africa.

Thursday Doors

These are a few more random photographs form my short trip to Paris over Easter.

The two images above are of the moving walkway in the Paris Airport (Charles de Gaulle). It was very long and there wasn’t another soul in sight. For me, it was a little creepy as it was my first time in this airport. I was glad to see the door at the end of the walkway coming into sight.

Roberta Writes – Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge, TDWC26, The Flower Hour, and Thursday Doors

Last Sunday, TC and I went for a 5 kilometre walk at the Johannesburg Country Club in Woodmead. The trees were all dressed in their autumn best and there were plenty of birds out and about enjoying the warm day. We came across a strange scene where a cat and a peahen were living together in a little domed shelter. There were water and food dishes so they are obviously fed by the residence of the surrounding houses.

I was immediately reminded of the nonsense poem by Edward Lear, ‘The Owl and the Pussy-Cat’. It was first published in 1870 in the American magazine Our Young Folks and again the following year in Lear’s own book Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany and Alphabets.

This poem is for Esther Chilton’s writing challenge which provides the word dish as the prompt. You can join in here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2026/05/06/writing-prompts-114/

It is also for Dan’s Doors Writing Challenge which you can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2026/

I’ve used Resa’s photograph for inspiration. You can find Resa’s art gowns blog here: https://artgowns.com/2026/03/22/growing-excitement/

The Peahen and the Grey Cat

The Peahen and the Grey Cat lived together

safe within the bird sanctuary’s fence.

They had a lovely home, in the shape of a dome,

there was no need for any defence.

The Peahen looked over her shoulder and said

“I’m so glad you’re my best friend

We have shelter and a comfortable bed

Here the rest of our lives we’ll spend

We’ll spend, we’ll spend

Here the rest of our lives we’ll spend

***

Grey Cat said to the Peahen, “I’m not a peacock

My modest looks verge on being quite dowdy

My tail doesn’t splay, and make a colourful display

And I’m certainly not at all exciting or rowdy

But if I commit to you, I promise I’ll be true,

We’ll can have an agreeable life together”

“Oh Grey Cat,” Peahen cried, “I can’t think of anything better

Than you and I being together forever

Forever

Forever

Than you and I being together forever

***

Just then, a man with a tray appeared

Filling the dishes with delicious treats

There was cream and berries, sardines and cherries

And even a variety of different meats

The two creatures tucked in, with a great big grins,

Dividing the spoils between them evenly

So easy as their tastes greatly varied

They knew they’d share their haven peacefully

Peacefully

Peacefully

They knew they’d share their haven peacefully

Click on the slideshow below to see the pictures of the grey cat and the peahen. Regrettably, I didn’t take a picture of their shared home.

The Flower Hour

I am posting some photographs from our walk for Terri’s The Flower Hour. These are local wildflowers that bloom in autumn.

Click on the slideshow to see the flowers.

Thursday Doors

Here a few doors from my recent trip to Paris for Dan’s Thursday Doors which you can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/05/07/carnegie-museum-doors/

This is an apartment building I spotted. I just liked it’s shape and design.

The next two photographs are of the Saint-Etienne-du-Mont Church in Paris.

Roberta Writes – W3, Dan Antion’s Writing Challenge, Thursday Doors and The Flower Hour

W3 and Dan Antion’s Writing Challenge

Dan Antion’s Doors writing challenge starts today and continues throughout May. I used one of my own doors pictures because the colours inspired a poem that also fitted Yvette’s W3 challenge to write about a fantasy world (mine’s 22 lines and not 20 – sorry Yvette!)

You can join in W3 here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2026/04/29/w3-prompt-209-weave-written-weekly/

You can join in Dan’s Doors Challenge here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2026/

Picture caption: One of Robbie’s Doors entries for Dan’s Doors Writing Challenge – its of the lifts at the Hilton Hotel in Munich

Dinah in Wonderland (freestyle poem)

Beyond the door

Dinah sees the colours

Dancing and swirling

Enticing … calling

“Come and play, Dinah

Come and play”

Squeezing through the cat door

She pitches forward

Falling … down and down

Landing softly on

Pink, blue, green, and yellow

Sweet! Her nose quivers

What? It’s candy floss

Between the bright puffs

Pale shapes swarm

Marshmallow fish

They wriggle their tails

“Chase us, Dinah, chase us”

Off she goes

Bouncing from one sugary cloud

to the next sweet indulgence

Extraordinary!

Thursday Doors

For Dan’s Thursday Doors, I’m sharing the rest of my Hilton Hotel, Munich photographs. I was only in Munich for ten hours so this is what I saw of it in the hotel from about 8pm until 4am the following morning.

You can join in Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2026/

The Flower Hour

These are orange and yellow arum lilies I discovered in my summer garden (it is now autumn).

You can join in Terri’s The Flower Hour here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/04/28/the-flower-hour-28-flowers-in-water/

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

Chateau de Chenonceau

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 – d’Verse: Imperatively Yours, Thursday Doors, The Flower Hour & CFFC

Frontal view of the fountain showing the centerpiece in good light.

Bonjour! I am back from my 6-day race around Paris and surrounds.

D’verse: Imperatively Yours

Dora has asked poets to write a poem using the imperative mood. You can learn more about this here: https://dversepoets.com/2026/04/07/poetics-imperatively-yours/. I have written my poem about Paris.

Paris in Spring

You must love Paris

What’s not to love?

The sun shines brightly

The statues gleam whitely

Spring abounds everywhere

Tulips model the new colours

Bedecking flowerbed ramps

Which style do you like best?

While pansies peep shyly

From behind tulip skirts

Waiting for their moment

To steal the show

Who will win best bonnet?

And in the corner

A vivid splash of yellow

Daffodils bow their own horns

Along the path

Water splashes loudly

Come and admire me

The fountain thunders

White feather boas

Streaming upwards

Silvery drops blowing

On the treacherous wind

Sharp reminder

That Old Man Winter

Is still directing

The production

Jardin Du Luxembourg

The Jardin du Luxembourg was created in 1612 when Marie de’ Medici, the widow of King Henry IV, constructed the Luxembourg Palace as her new residence. This is the number one garden in Paris and is known for its lawns, tree-lined promenades, tennis courts, flowerbeds, model sailboats on its octagonal Grand Bassin. It is also home to the Fontaine de l’Observatoire and Medici Fountain. I’m showcasing the Fontaine de l’Observatoire today.

Click on the slideshow to see the Fontaine de l’Observatoire:

  • Frontal view of the fountain showing the centerpiece in good light.
  • Frontal view of the fountain into the sun. The water sparkles but the statue is a silhouette
  • Close up of the centerpiece of the fountain featuring four female figures representing the four parts of the world: Europe, Asia, Africa and America, twisting their bodies to turn the sphere.
  • Another view of the fountain featuring the horses in the basin around the fountain.
  • side view of the fountain with the water shooting upwards towards the centre

This is one of my Youtube videos of this fountain:

You can see more of my Paris Youtube videos on my channel.

Thursday Doors

The Universite de Paris Institut d’Art Et d’Archeologie is near the Jardin du Luxembourg. I really liked the brick patterning of this building which is why I took these photographs. It reminded me of lego.

These photographs are for Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge: https://nofacilities.com/2026/04/09/heinz-chapel/

This is a shot of the Universite de Paris Institut d'Art Et d'Archeologie with its interesting brick patterning.
This is the ornate door of the University

The Flower Hour and CFFC, view as we walk

These photographs are of flowers and statues in the Jardin du Luxembourg. They are for Terri’s The Flower Hours (most of the flowers are tulips) and for Dan’s CFFC as these were taken while we walked. We walked approximately 20,000 steps a day for the 6 days I was in Paris.

You can join in Dan’s CFFC challenge here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/04/06/view-as-we-walk-or-hike-cffc/

You can join in Terri’s Flower Hour here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/04/07/the-flower-hour-25-pop-go-the-poppies/

A picture of yellow and white tulips - closeup
White Monument to Leconte de Lisle in a flowerbed of orange and yellow tulips
Picture of me with the Le Faune dansant sculpture in the background in a flowerbed of yellow and orange tulips
Flowerbed of orange and yellow tulips with some white flowers

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/