Robbie Cheadle's Blog, page 5

Robbie’s Inspiration – Tanka Tuesday, Autumn #poetry #photography

I’m a little late with my entry this week. TC was sick yesterday so my day went a little pear shaped. Luckily, he was okay on Saturday and we got some nice autumn pictures during our walk at the Country Club.

Willows challenge is to write a seasonal poem incorporating hope. She suggested writing a seox. You can read the other entries here: https://tankatuesday.com/2025/05/27/tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-14-27th-may-2025/

Waiting (seox)

cold pockets

interspersed with warm patches

beneath bare winter trees

waiting for spring

to breath life

The word seox in Anglo Saxon means six. This is a verse form written in 6 lines in keeping with its name. Form created by Ann Byrnes Smith. The elements of the Seox: a poem written in six lines, a hexastich, 3-7-6-5-4-3 syllables per lines. Unrhymed.

Flowers on the first day of winterPicture caption: pretty pink and white flowers on a tree in my garden

Picture caption: a young tree in yellow finery. I was trying to capture the light

Picture caption: This huge rosebush is in the garden of the Country ClubPicture caption: I was delighted to find this gorgeous rose in the rose garden on the first day of winterPicture caption: A lovely flower in the garden.Picture caption: A surviving flower on a tree. The surrounding flowers were all dead.Picture caption: a cheerful orange flower to light the path to the car park

Poetry has always appealed to people who appreciate the genre—Robbie Cheadle

Thank you to Juan, Barbara and Nolcha for sharing this fun poetry interview.

Juan Re Crivello: Do you think poetry is back in fashion? Robbie Cheadle: I don’t think poetry ever goes out of fashion for people who appreciate the…

Poetry has always appealed to people who appreciate the genre—Robbie Cheadle

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

W3Dennis’ prompt guidelinesLet the noun wait

This week’s prompt invites you to write toward something, rather than starting from it. You’ll be building pressure, rhythm, and meaning without naming your subject until the final line.

Step 1: Choose an abstract noun

Pick a single abstract noun that carries weight, mystery, or tension for you—something like liberty, danger, truth, love, exile, justice, forgiveness, joy, grief, silence…

Don’t use it until your poem’s final line.

Step 2: Delay the subject

Start each line with a description or action that leads us toward the noun, not from it. This is called left-branching syntax—it means delaying the main subject or verb.

You’re working with delay, accumulation, and unfolding. The noun you’ve chosen arrives only at the end. Until then, build around it, toward it, beneath it. Let readers feel its shape before they hear its name.

You can join in here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2025/05/21/w3-prompt-160-weave-written-weekly/

I didn’t have a happy week. Something happened at my place of work to compound my distrust of corporates and increase my disillusionment. I didn’t think it was possible for me to become more disillusioned, but this time it was a long term friend who betrayed my faith in humanity.

The silver lining is I worked through it with the following two poems. The second one is for W3.

Poor sizing

one side makes you grow

the other side makes you shrink

but what about those

who fall somewhere in between?

what should we do to come right?

Poor sizing (take two)

One side makes you grow

the other makes you shrink

but there is no magic mushroom

for those who don’t fit in

the ones who think differently

those who look different

or behave differently

or people who won’t

sacrifice their principles

by conforming with the masses

following the weak

kowtowing to the gutless

those who despise

the smug self righteous

who report their neighbours

to the secret police

for helping the innocent

under the guise of doing

their civic duty

For those who spend their lives

living their truth

who once believed in

the inherent goodness of humanity

the disillusionment

is crushing

Tanka Tuesday

This week for Tanka Tuesday, Selma asked us to Stay in Joy. I don’t love winter but I try to make the most of it. I have written a Dodoitsu.

Dodoitsu is a Japanese form of poetry that is sometimes performed as a folk song. In Western execution, the poem is characterized as having a syllable structure of 7-7-7-5: 26 syllables. No rhyming. No title. 

You can join in Tanka Tuesday here: https://tankatuesday.com/2025/05/20/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-13-may-20th-stay-in-joy/

Autumn colours the landscape

yellow, red, orange, and brown

seed pods add variety

artistic mosaic

Picture caption: Seed pods with spikes on the bare treesPicture caption: Autumn leaves with the sun shining through themPicture caption: Purple berries on the treesPicture caption: We used to call these itchy balls when I was a girl.

Robbie’s Inspiration – Reblog A review by Smorgasbord Book Reviews #poetry #bookreview

Thank you to incredible writer and blogger, Sally Cronin, for this insightful review of Burning Butterflies

Smorgasbord Book Book Reviews – #Poetry #Africa – Burning Butterflies: Poetry About Southern African Flora and Fauna by Robbie Cheadle

Robbie’s Inspiration – Treasuring Poetry: After Rain Skies Global Anthology

Thank you to Michelle Ayon Navajas for being a wonderful guest today. Michelle is discussing her poetry book series, After Rain Skies, and its role in fighting abuse against women.

Thanks for hosting, Kaye Lynne Booth.

Treasuring Poetry: An interview with Michelle Ayon Navajas, curator of After Rain Skies Global Anthology and a review #TreasuringPoetry #AfterRainSkies #genderbasedviolence

Robbie’s Inspiration – Thursday Doors Writing Challenge – The Spider #poetry #photography

Another poem for Dan’s Thursday Doors writing challenge. This time I’m using one of my own photographs. You can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2025/

If you don’t like spiders stop here!

Picture caption: A giant spider sculpture by Louise Bourgeois with a door in the background. The spider appears to be blocking the door. The Spider

“Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to its prey

“If you follow my recommendations, you’ll thank me one day

“I have a history of great successes in holding back the clock. I advised Cleopatra to take daily baths in donkey milk to stop its tick tock.”

“Oh no, no,” cried the victim, “I don’t trust your advice,

“Not to mention that it comes at a ridiculously high price.”

***

“There are surgeries and medications that will stop the grey;

Will you sit and listen for a while?” said the Spider to its prey.

“Think about Queen Elizabeth the First and her flawless white skin

And the bright red lip stain that decorated her lovely, royal grin.”

“Oh no, no! Her make-up was made of vinegar and white lead,

That slowly corroded her face and neck, eventually leaving her dead.”

***

Said the devious Spider, “My dearest friend, I picked a poor example,

Everyone needs to stay young looking; believe me, its quite essential,

Think of the benefits of Radithor, a radium and water health solution,

Try some, my dear, I have a bottle left over from an earlier distribution.”

“Oh no, no” said the victim, “I know all about the fate of Eben Byers,

And those poor radium girls who died. I keep them in my prayers.”

***

“Gorgeous lady,” said the Spider, “you are very well informed,

How about a facelift procedure then? Your looks will be transformed.

Your facial tissue will be tightened, folds and wrinkles smoothed out,

Just take a look at my catalogue of pictures if you have any doubts.”

“Thank you, kind Sir,” said the victim. “I appreciate your compliments,

But surgeries can go wrong. The Cat Woman supports my argument.”

***

The Spider turned on his heel, went back into his consulting room

Knowing he’d set up a train of thought that would lead to her doom.

He sat down and calculated how much his next holiday would cost,

Then he came out his door again, ready his desperate victim to accost.

“I see you’re still here lovely lady, examining my various medications,

Why don’t you come right inside? I’ll show you the latest innovations.”

***

Alas, alas! How quickly self doubt and vanity had distracted his victim.

The desire to stay young and beautiful overriding all her wisdom.

The aftermath of her plastic surgery was unfortunate to see.

The nerve paralysis had ruined her facial structure to a large degree.

With proceeds from her and others, the doctor holidayed abroad

It would be many a moon before he was challenged as a fraud.

***

And now, older ladies, who wish to slow down the march of time,

Consider your alternatives before on the dotted line you sign.

There are natural and safe ways to keep healthy so don’t dismay,

Or succumb to the falsehoods told by the Spider to his prey.

These are some Golden Orb Web Spider pictures I took recently at Black Rhino Lodge in the Pilanesberg National Park:

I entered this black and white photograph in a photography challenge. What do you think of it?

If you are really interested in spiders like I am, you can watch my YT shorts here:

Poetry Book Review: “Burning Butterflies” by Robbie Cheadle

Burning Butterflies: Poetry About Southern African Flora and Fauna by Robbie Cheadle (2025). Original cover art by Robbie Cheadle. Available on …

Poetry Book Review: “Burning Butterflies” by Robbie Cheadle

Robbie’s Inspiration – Read and Cook, The Willows by Algernon Blackwood and Speculaas Cake

Thanks for hosting, Kaye Lynne Booth.

Read and Cook with Robbie Cheadle – The Willows by Algernon Blackwood and Speculaas Cake with Raspberry and Butterscotch a la Robbie #baking #bookreview #fiction

Robbie’s Inspiration – Tanka Tuesday, W3, and Mothers Day treat #poetry #music #photography #art

Tanka Tuesday

Colleen’s challenge:

Hello! It’s me, Colleen, here to bring you another fun syllabic poetry challenge to help you find your divine inspiration! I had the wrong time on the post!

Aries: RedTaurus: Red-orangeGemini: OrangeCancer: Dark yellowLeo: YellowVirgo: light greenLibra: GreenScorpio: TurquoiseSagittarius: Twilight blueCapricorn: PurpleAquarius: MagentaPisces: Pink

You can join in here: https://tankatuesday.com/2025/05/06/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-11-zodiac-colors-5-6-25/

Micro poem

no pastel pinks here

African sunsets dazzle

in vivid orange

Picture caption: African sunset in the bushveld. Photograph by Robbie CheadlePicture caption: My latest watercolour painting from yesterday. I did not draw the Eiffel Tower, it is printed.Paris Spring

pink blossoms

cluster amid green

Paris spring

time of joy

extravaganza of life

bursts onto the stage

W3Suzanne’s prompt guidelinesForm: Waltz Wave;A single, unrhymed stanza of 19 lines;Syllabic: 1–2–1–2–3–2–1–2–3–4–3–2–1–2–3–2–1–2–1;Theme: ‘Strength and vulnerability’

You can join in here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2025/05/07/w3-prompt-158-weave-written-weekly/

I Live

strong

I am

stand

alone

against odds

convinced

of

the best

possible

outcome for all

despite the

setbacks

I

suffer

every day

that is

life

and I

live

Mothers Day Treat

We attended a Candlight Concert: Cold Play vs Imagine Dragons last night. it was marvellous. The instumentalists were the Vienna String Quartet based in Johannesburg.

Picture caption: The stage before the show started with all the flickering candles. Picture by Robbie CheadlePicture caption: The Vienna String Quartet playing

A few short video recordings of the last song (videoing and recording is only allowed for the last song).

This is my favourite video. I love the range of sound:

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Robbie’s Inspiration – Guest Post: Embracing the Power to Live by Marsha Ingrao book tour #Poetry #booktour

Introduction

Today, I am delighted to share a post about Marsha Ingrao’s first poetry collection, Embracing the Power to Live.

Marsha is a huge supporter of the WordPress writing and poetry community and hosts Story Chat Digest on her blog, Always Write.

I encourage you to have a look at Story Chat and submit a poem, painting, or short story. You will find the guidelines and other details here: https://alwayswrite.blog/story-chat-2025-a-unique-blogging-program/

Now over to Marsha!

Guest post

Robbie, thank you so much for hosting me on your blog as part of the pre-sale launch of my new poetry anthology, Embracing the Power to Live. I credit Tanka Tuesday for the impetus to start writing poetry again and collating this eclectic collection of poems.

Last year, Colleen invited us to write about all the phases of the weather using different types of syllabic poems. I tried out several types of syllabic poems. One of the types I enjoyed writing the most was the haibun poem because I could chat in the middle of my poem. I’d like to share a couple of them from my book with you.

Picture caption: Cover of Embracing the Power to Live by Marsha Ingrao featuring a young girl stepping through a window and out onto an ocean scene.Dancing Blossoms

(from Embracing the Power to Live)

flurries of blossoms

pushed rudely out of the nest

dance across the streets

As I drove down Willow Creek Road in Prescott, Arizona, it was fun to watch the piles of blossoms scatter in a flock across the road in front of me. I wish I could have stopped and taken a picture. They were so cute playing together.

budding verdant leaves

dominate the growing stems

bursting at the seams

haibun

Like a cat walking sideways, the truth in poetry sneaks up on you. Once treasured by the masses in the past, poetry’s popularity has returned to the public, especially young readers and writers. As I’ve read your blog, Robbie, I’ve found other poetry writing challenges, including Esther Chilton’s Limerick Challenge each week. I love that kind of poem, too, because sometimes, poems are just for fun, like this limerick I’ve included in my collection, which was first published in 1994 by M.B. Designs.

Kitty’s Prize

(from Embracing the Power to Live)

kitty lands on my chest with a pounce

deposits her prize with a flounce

it’s two in the night

what is this?? – Bite Bite Bite

 at and mouse through the window

bounce, bounce

But life isn’t all limericks. We’ve talked a lot about the challenges of life in our blogs. You have achieved a lot of success in your life, as have most of your readers. Even so, I know you’ve had to overcome difficult times. Some are not as fortunate in how they’ve handled the bumps in the road of life. I pose this question to those readers.

Have you ever felt that you would never succeed? You’ve watched others achieve their dreams and thought, “They” have more talent, are smarter, richer, or prettier than I. They had better parents – you know, all the excuses. They are all lies. I know because I once believed them, too. One of the main reasons I wanted to publish Embracing the Power to Live is to encourage others who might be down occasionally not to give up.

This is the first part of a haibun, which takes you a short way along my adult journey, which moved me away from criticism and negativity into achieving goals and feeling successful.

Guiding the Magic of Choice

(from Embracing the Power to Live)

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” Napoleon Hill

how does the magic

of success beat inside you

today’s wisdom says

if we envision our plan

we believe we can achieve

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” Ecclesiastes 9:10

our ears are attuned

to our inner compasses

our guiding beacons

wisdom evolved from the Greeks

follow our dreams to the stars

In my twenties, I wrote goals in my journals and reread them often. I worked hard to achieve them.

“The soul of the lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.” Proverbs 13:4

but what do we want

a new house, love of our life

a career, baby

to feed the poor, cure illness

write a spellbinding novel

We all have to do something with our lives. We have twenty-four hours a day for as many days as we live. Most of all, I wanted to finish my education and teach. We weren’t able to have children. Opportunities came that I couldn’t take. Other goals moved forward, and some goals were tossed.

what is inner light

a spark, fleeting idea

fluttering on air

engaging our intellect

focusing our fantasies

Haibun

Well-meaning people I love and trust have said discouraging and sometimes cruel things to me. But those words don’t stick, just like the doubts that may hold you back. The poetry in Embracing the Power to Live puts away the shame of not being good enough.

We only get one life, and I want to live mine with strength, joy, and purpose to the very end—and I want the same for you. Embracing the Power to Live isn’t a step-by-step guide to life. It’s a collection of poems that give you and me an outlet to grow, weep, laugh, and live together in harmony through words. I hope you will enjoy it. Reviews are always welcome, too!

Thanks again, Robbie, for allowing me to visit with you and your readers today. It’s been a joy.

Blurb

Embracing the Power to Live is a poetic journey of a woman’s perseverance despite life’s hard knocks. This collection taps into the true spirit of poetry—reaching ordinary people with the message that they are enough. Some poems hold profound meaning. Others are included simply for the fun of playing with words – a joy reborn when she stepped into the world of syllabic poetry.

Told by different authority figures in her life that she would never marry or achieve her dreams, the author defied the discouraging voices. Her poetry shatters shame uplifts the spirit, and encourages readers to embrace the strength to do the same

This collection isn’t a self-help guidebook—it’s an invitation to laugh, weep, grow, and live together, connecting hearts through poetry. Embracing the Power to Live is for anyone who seeks to rise above a spinning world to gain strength, perspective, and a new beginning.

Pre-order link on Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Power-Live-Marsha-Ingrao-ebook/dp/B0F6423PSJAbout Marsha IngraoPicture caption: Marsha Ingrao author picture. Marsha has long blonde hair and is wearing a pretty blue top. She is featured against a yellow background and is holding her small dog.

Marsha’s newest book, Embracing the Power to Live, a poetry anthology and memoir, is set to come out in late May or early June. She is the contributing editor for Story Chat Volumes I and II. Previous works include a chapter in This Is How We Grow (2023) by Yvette Prior, contributions to Sunflower Tanka, a Poetry Anthology by Colleen Chesebro and Robbie Cheadle (2024), and Images of America: Woodlake – Arcadia Publishing (August 13, 2015), available on Amazon. In addition, Ingrao published numerous poems and articles. She has blogged since 2012.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts, Teaching, and Administrative Credentials from Fresno State University. As a bilingual teacher, she earned a CLAD Certificate. While employed at Tulare County Office of Education, she earned her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Fresno Pacific University. At the county office, she developed curriculum for Migrant Education and later served as a History Consultant for the county’s Educational Resource Services.

Ingrao believes in lifelong learning. Today, she remains active as a blogger, writer, photographer, and history buff.

She grew up in Indiana and Oregon, moved as an adult to Colorado, then near the Giant Sequoias. After living in Arizona for four years, she and her husband, Vince, her dog, Goldie, and her cat, Moji, have recently returned to the land of the big trees in California.

You can find all of Marsha Ingrao’s books on Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CJ9ZLQ9C