Robbie Cheadle's Blog

Robbie’s Inspiration – Tanka Tuesday, W3 & CFFC #poetry #photography

Tanka Tuesday

Tanka Tuesday this week is hosted by Yvette and she has asked poets to write about how impactful one day, or in my case one hour, can be.

I have chosen to write about a Candlelight Concern I attended last night. There are some of my YT videos at the end.

It Floats (butterfly cinquain)

music

floating gently

on currents of warm air

notes delicately dancing

upwards

an ordinary day becomes

extraordinary

captivating

soundwaves

W3

You can join in the challenge here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2025/09/24/w3-prompt-178-weave-written-weekly/

Sounds of Silence (double cinquain)

silence

submerges thoughts

in its thunderous roar

displacing hospital hum

blackout

***

stillness

not possible

pacing the corridor

achieves some sort of mental peace

quiet

CFFC

This week’s theme is subjects framed by something. You can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/2025/09/22/subjects-framed-by-things-cffc/

These are my pictures of the Candlelight Concert featuring the works of The Beatles and Queen.

Picture caption: the stage and candles framed by the archway of the alcove in the churchPicture caption: Two of the musicians framed by the candlesPicture caption: Another picture of a musician framed by candlesPicture caption: church window framed by stonework

A few of my YouTube videos of the evening:

A Sister Is … (a metaphorical poem) by Robbie Cheadle

A Sister Is … (a metaphorical poem) by Robbie Cheadle a thief, stealing attention that’s rightfully yours;a port in a storm, when your house of cards…

A Sister Is … (a metaphorical poem) by Robbie Cheadle

Robbie’s Inspiration – Book Reviews: The Alchemist and the Woman in Trousers and Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt #bookreviews #readingcommunity

Today, I bring you two different books that are both fascinating in their very different ways.

The first is The Alchemist and the Woman in Trousers by Teagan Riordain Geneviene which takes the reader on an enthralling fantasy adventure based on the historical Cornelis Drebbel, 16th century Dutch engineer and inventor, and his advanced inventions.

The second book, Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt, by Dawn Pisturino, is an intriguing delve into life in ancient Egypt told in freestyle poetry.

The Alchemist and the Women in Trousers by Teagan Riordain GenevienePicture caption: Cover of The Alchemist and the Woman in Trousers featuring a woman in a Victorian dress holding a skull and a man looking through a microscope attached to his top hat

This story is a highly imaginative fantasy adventure incorporating real details of a late 15th century/early 16th century Dutch engineer and inventor called Cornelis Drebbel. This book was my introduction to this astonishing man, and I enjoyed the details about him that the author skillfully wove into this story.

The woman in trousers, aka, Felicity, is the possessor of Cornelis Drebbel’s skull which is all that remains of him after an accident of alchemy. Cornelis is able to manifest in human form and has some unusual powers as a result of his unusual fate but is not technically either alive or dead. It is hinted in the story that should something untoward happen to Cornelis’ skull, he would come to a sticky ending.

Felicity is a strong female character of the author’s invention and rails against the suffocating conventions of the time for Victorian women. She prefers to wear practical trousers rather than the long dresses of the day, but she does conform when she must.

This is a rollicking adventure that involves the disappearance of another inventor, abandonment of his daughter, and death of a stranger, all mysteries that need to be resolved to say the daughter, Copper, from being institutionalised and secret papers held by her father falling into the wrong hands.

The story involves plenty of unusual creatures, mystical landscapes, real inventions, and both good and bad people which all come together to form an exciting and fast paced story.

Purchase The Alchemist and the Woman in Trousers from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F1KWXJ5P

Find all of Teagan Riordain Geneviene’s books on Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Teagan-Riordain-Geneviene/author/B00HHDXHVM

Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt by Dawn PisturinoPicture caption: cover of Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt depicting a cat against an ancient Egyptian styled artwork

This collection of freestyle poems collectively tell the story of the civilization of ancient Egypt. Each poems delves into a separate concept about life, love, and worship in this era and the book collectively unveils an enormous amount of history. The research done by the poet is comprehensive and fascinating.

I have always been interested in the mythology of ancient Egypt and have read books and watched movies about it all through my life. Isis, a female goddess, was of particular interest to me and I enjoyed learning so much more about her, and all the other gods and goddesses through my reading of these poems.

I enjoyed the depiction of Isis “Blessed is she who serves the Great Mother, Isis,

Consort of Osiris,

Who conceived the falcon-headed Horus in her womb

After reassembling her dead husband’s body!

Her magic is too powerful to defeat.

Her motherhood is too powerful to deflate.”

from ‘Asru’

The book explores different experiences by the ancient Egyptians including festivals, droughts and famines, pregnancy, and other activities common to all people.

The gratitude expressed in the poem ‘The Five Fingers of Gratitude’ impressed me:

“In the midst of the festival, I raise my left hand

And count my blessings on my five fingers:

Bread.

Beer.

Onions.

Garlic.

Family.

How I praise Hathor for nourishing my body and keeping me whole.”

This is a message that the modern world of consumers should consider and appreciate.

An intriguing poetic adventure that will appeal to lovers of poetry, history, and the human condition.

You can purchase Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F3JZHL1N

You can find Dawn Pisturino’s other books on Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dawn-Pisturino/author/B0CYM7BV37

Robbie’s Inspiration – Tanka Tuesday, Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge and Sunday Stills #poetry #photography

Colleen’s challenge this week is to write a poem using a kigo work for September. She suggested dew but I’m using dust as that is what we seem to have in abundance at this time of year. You can read other contributions here: https://tankatuesday.com/2025/09/16/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-39-24-seasons-9-16-25/

Dust

temperatures creeping

upwards at a steady pace

dust blankets new growth

scent of jasmine syrupy

first rainfall a desperate dream

Esther Chilton’s prompt is promise. You can join in here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2025/09/17/writing-prompts-83/

I promise

I promised Mother we would not cross the railway line anywhere except at the crossing. I promised Granny Joan too. Granny Joan had a horror of railway line crossings ever since her neighbour’s husband was killed when his brightly coloured Volkswagen Beetle stalled in the middle of the lines when he was coming home late one evening. The car was crushed by a train that didn’t see the vehicle until it was to late. His daughter, a school mate of mine, was left fatherless. At school, the children whispered that it was a suicide. I’d never heard of suicide before and I never wanted to again. The nuns said suicide was a mortal sin that sent you straight to hell.

My intentions were good. We were going to cross the railway line passing the local beach at the crossing. It was the best place to cross anyway as it was just before the parking lot and the beach cafe. The problem was I couldn’t remember where the crossing was. It was Cath and my first visit to the beach on our own and I couldn’t remember the way. We walked and walked. Cath was tired and becoming whiny. I didn’t know what to do. I could see the sand dunes so I knew the beach was close, but there was the railway line with no place to cross it.

Cath sat down and refused to stand. She wasn’t going to keep walking on and on. I made a decision. We would cross the railway lines here.

“Come on, Cath. The beach is just on the other side of the railway line and dunes. All we have to do is cross carefully and climb up the sand dunes. Then we’ll be there.”

I took her small hand and we started crossing. The lines hummed and pulsed like a living thing. I could feel vibrations running up my body. It was scary. I kept checking for trains. The hairs on my arms stood up and my nerves were squeaky.

An eternity later, we reached the other side. In one piece. Not squashed to mincemeat by a huge, fast train.

We clambered up the dunes and there was the beach. The sea a glistening mass of heaving water. A short distance to the right was the asphalt of the parking lot and the gleaming white of the beach cafe. The crossing had been a mere 500 metres away, just around the corner.

so close yet so far

devil tempts weary children

sin for confession

Sunday Stills, Waterfalls

Terri’s Sunday Stills challenge is fountains, waterfalls, and geysers. You can join in here:

Picture caption: this photograph is from 2021 when we visited Fugitive’s Drift in KwaZulu Natal.Picture caption: Waterfall on the Monk’s Cowl short hike in the Drakensberg MountainsPicture caption: Waterfall at The Cavern in the DrakensbergPicture caption: Waterfall with a rainbow in the Drakensberg Mountains

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens: book overview part 2 by Robbie Cheadle

I recently re-read Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, a book I read and loved as a pre-teen. This is part 2 of my overview of this famous novel. …

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens: book overview part 2 by Robbie Cheadle

Treasuring Poetry – Kevin Morris shares about his book, Passing Through: Some thoughts on life and death, and a review #poetry #poetrycommunity #…

Today, I am thrilled to welcome talented Kevin Morris back to Treasuring Poetry. Kevin was one of my inaugural guests when I first started this …

Treasuring Poetry – Kevin Morris shares about his book, Passing Through: Some thoughts on life and death, and a review #poetry #poetrycommunity #…

“She Stalks” by Robbie Cheadle

Thank you to Barbara from MasticadoresUSA for sharing my poem, She Stalks.

She Stalks (99-syllable double ennead)Feline slinks cautiouslyThrough agapanthusProud of her stealth and hunting proficiencyShe eyes avian pestsTime …

“She Stalks” by Robbie Cheadle

Robbie’s Inspiration – W3, Tanka Tuesday and Sunday Stills #poetry #photography

W3

Jaideep’s prompt is as follows:

Write a poem where form and content are at odds.

Use a light or playful form (for example, a limerick, clerihew, double dactyl, skeltonic, or nursery-rhyme rhythm).Or simply write in any style that sounds upbeat through its meter, rhyme, sing-song cadence, or playful repetition.Then employ that cheerful sound to convey weighty subject matter — loss, mortality, injustice, or other serious themes.

The tension between the bright form and dark content should create an unsettling or thought-provoking effect.

You can join in here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2025/09/10/w3-prompt-176-weave-written-weekly/

Twisted Nursery Rhyme

Laura, my sister, and I fell out

And this is what it was all about

She loves Daddy and so do I

Both his human mortality deny

Tanka Tuesday

Willows challenge is to chose a trigger for a childhood memory. I choose fragrance. You can join in here: https://tankatuesday.com/2025/09/09/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-28-memories-2-09-25/

Fragrance of Christmas Past (tanka)

fragrance of Christmas

cinnamon and strong spices

gifting memories

gingerbread men and fruit cake

four little girls with rag dolls

Sunday Stills

Terri’s photograph challenge this week is strong yellow and orange colours. You can join in here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2025/09/14/sunday-stills-monthly-color-challenge-vibrant-yellow-and-orange-hues-with-hints-of-yellowstone/

Picture caption: my latest watercolour painting – Girl among flowersPicture caption: William the Weaver advertising his latest nestPicture caption: Here he is again – such a busy little guyPicture caption: my spring flowers with a butterflyPicture caption: Banks roses – I like this picture very muchPicture caption: Yellow and violet irises

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens: book overview part 1 by Robbie Cheadle

The second and third will be released successively every Friday (Editor’s note j, Ré Crivello) When I was a little girl of 8 years old, my sister, …

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens: book overview part 1 by Robbie Cheadle

Read and Cook with Robbie Cheadle – Introducing Borderline by Graeme Cumming and avocado and lemon bread #fiction #Borderline #baking

Today, I have a special treat for you. A review of Graeme Cumming’s new thriller, Borderline, and a short Q&A with this excellent author. Borderline …

Read and Cook with Robbie Cheadle – Introducing Borderline by Graeme Cumming and avocado and lemon bread #fiction #Borderline #baking