Roberta Writes – d’Verse: Borrowing Bishop and CFFC

d’Verse

Dora’s prompt is as follows: “For your first poetics challenge of the year, I’d like you to dip your word-brush into Bishop’s poetic inkpot, as it were, consciously incorporating accuracy (detail), spontaneity (immediacy), and mystery (revelation) to write your own original poem.“

I chose to model my poem on The Moose which you can read here: https://poets.org/poem/moose

You can read other poet’s poems here: https://dversepoets.com/2026/01/06/poetics-borrowing-bishop/

CFFC

Dan’s photograph prompt this week is full or empty. I’ve woven these photographs into the poem. You can join in CFFC here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/01/05/full-or-empty-or-both-cffc-jusjojan/

The Leopard

In the brackish and lush wetlands

where the warm and salty Indian Ocean

meets the fresh water uMfolozi River

a meandering estuary characterised by

significant sediment and sand deposition

resulting in extensive sand dunes

and marine deposits from ancient sea retreats

Picture caption: Sand dunes at St Lucia. Photograph by Robbie Cheadle. Empty!

***

Here, the foaming waves ride roughshod

over the vast expanses of golden sand

interspersed with black streaks of titanium

the beach wears a dark almost metallic sheen

basking brightly in the rays of the morning sun

heavy clouds fat with rain scud across the sky

***

Cloying fragrance of sweet acacia trees

adorned with yellow pom-pom flowers

hiding lethally long and sharp thorns

dance on the soft wind, vying for attention

with the bright yellow Portia Tree flowers

sheltering under their perforated leaves

***

Shallow, murky lakes occupied by pods

of lazily lounging hippos, heads resting on backs

reminiscent of humans relaxing after a picnic

slight change of water currents disturbs

thick layer of sunken feces and sediment

suddenly, the water boils – is it tea time?

***

On faded tarmac slick with drizzling rain

past trees and bushes home to much

including the fiercely protective tailor ants

who stitch together living leaves to create

a complex nest; larvae silk doubles as strong thread

their large, red bodies vibrating with rage

Picture caption: tailor ants protecting their home. You can see the silk threads around the edges of the ‘stitched’ leaves

My Youtube video of the tailor ants shaking with rage

***

The nature enthusiasts ooh and aah

stretches of shimmering water filled

with pale lilac waterblommetjies

their golden centres raised sunwards

surrounded by vibrant green pads

that serve as stepping stones for birds

Picture caption: wetlands packed with waterlilies (waterblommetjies)

***

African jacana, its feathers a rich auburn

opens it bright blue beak and cries

skating across the water, long toes outstretched

“I don’t like it,” the UK visitor declares

“It looks like a spider as it runs along”

I think, Isn’t nature clever, what an amazing bird

***

And then I see a flash of green on brown

“It’s a painted reed frog,” our guide grins

his pleasure at my enthusiasm evident

pointing, he shows us two other tiny frogs

one lurking on a plant with which it blends

another splatted with vivid yellow spots

***

Safari vehicle starts up, roar invading the peace

it lurches down the lumpy, bumpy road

“Stop! Stop!,” I cry, “it’s a Senegal Coucal,”

red eyes searching for its favourite meals

of caterpillars, insects, and small vertebrates

it’s gorgeous in black, chestnut and creamy white

Picture caption: Senegal Coucal in the Isimangaliso Wetlands

***

Rounding a corner – what a magnificent sight

a male kudu with a splendid pair of corkscrew horns

nonchalantly, he gives himself a scratch

before settling down to his morning snack

of leaves, vines, shoots, flowers and pods

a splendid example of a southern African antelope

Picture caption: Gorgeous male kudu in the Isimangaliso Wetlands. Photograph by Robbie Cheadle.

***

A bakkie approaches from the opposite direction

driver stops, face flushed red, eyes sparkling with joy

“There’s a young leopard just down the road”

she imparts this message with much enthusiasm

I keep my hope at a low ebb, so much thick bush

it’s unlikely we’ll spot it again, no doubt he’s gone

***

Rounding the corner, oh, what a splendid sight

young male leopard saunters casually onto the road

emerging from the dense bush like a vision

cameras whirr and cell phones click, click, click

yellowish coat covered in dark, rose-like rosettes

highlighted against the wet shimmer of the road

Picture caption: Young male leopard in the road. Photograph by Robbie Cheadle

***

Reaching the other side, he turns to look

at this still metal box filled with silent watchers

amber eyes consider us for a thrilling moment

then, disinterested, he turns away

a flick of white tipped tail and he’s gone

no-one speaks, stunned by our good luck

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.

The picture below is of the hotel rooms where we stayed. Ours were the bottom units.

Above is a picture of a vervet monkey on the gate

Above are a few of the flowers in the garden

Roberta Writes – Tanka Tuesday, d’Verse & CFFC & Thursday Doors

Tanka Tuesday

This week’s challenge by Melissa, is to write a Double Ennead poem on the theme of gratitude. The syllabic count for a Double Ennead poem is 3 x 3 verses of 6/5/11/6/5.

You can join in here: https://tankatuesday.com/2025/11/25/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-40-double-ennead-11-25-2025/

Eight Legged Wonder

delicate silver threads

woven skillfully

into a deadly trap for flying insects

flies a favourite meal

of reviled spiders

***

annoying mosquitoes

trapped in sticky thread

succulent dinner for female arachnide

malaria vector

out of commission

***

carrying diseases

from within sewers

cockroaches contaminate human foodstuffs

favourite snack for spiders

which keep numbers down

Colleen has shared an update on 🌻 2025 Sunflower Tanka Anthology 🌻 and the cover. You can read about it here: https://tankatuesday.com/2025/11/30/cover-reveal-the-2025-sunflower-tanka-anthology/

d’Verse

Grace’s prompt is to write a Spanish Lira poem. You can join in here: https://dversepoets.com/2025/11/27/poetry-form-spanish-lira/

Absent Heat

usual summer heat absent

continuous rainfall order of the day

change in weather most welcome

November can be scorching

this year grey cloud is keeping hot sun at bay

CFFC and Thursday Doors

I am late with last week’s CFFC and Thursday Doors post so I’m including it here with this week’s CFFC post.

The four photographs below are of the wharf at Westminster Bridge in London. This is where tourists leave for tours of the River Thames. You can see the London Eye in the background. These are for Dan’s Travel Hubs challenge which you can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/2025/12/01/travel-hubs-cffc/