In Touch With Nature – Common Buzzard
Posted: February 24, 2026 Filed under: Animals, Bird Watching, Birds, In Touch With Nature, Nature, Photography, Poetry, Wildlife | Tags: African Wildlife, Animals, Common Buzzard, In Touch With Nature, Nature, Robbie Cheadle, Writing to be Read 54 Comments
Nothing common about this buzzard
What a thrill to see you perched atop a tree
scanning the area; you have exceptional vision
head rotating, your eyes pass lightly over me
irrelevant in the context of your meal decision
I watch you staring at the mound filled earth
seeking signs of movement, either mouse or mole
your wings gracefully spreading once prey is found
the effort rewarded; of rodents there is no dearth
their silhouettes outlined as they emerge from a hole
in stealthy pursuit you soar gracefully to the ground
seizing your unsuspecting prey with grasping talons
tearing it apart with your sharp, hooked beak
one creature must die in order for another to live
one of nature’s most effective mammal assassins
your quarry succumbs without so much as a squeak
you, the victorious combatant, your prey unresistive
***
Tourist bird, I enjoy your annual visits to these shores
in migrating flocks of up to twenty of your comrades
gliding effortlessly over large expanses without pause
with a predetermined flightpath, you aren’t nomads
though your arrival may be met with strong resistance
from smaller birds who view you as a potential threat
mobbing you repeatedly until you relent and fly away
not much of a welcome after covering such distance
your feathery bulk the cause of much upset
an illusion to disguise how little you really weigh
a monogamous creature, you usually mate for life
your partner smaller, and suited to hunting prey
while for three weeks your chicks you brood
working as a team, you experience little strife
knowing he’ll deliver small morsels without delay
until they fledge and you join the search for food
About Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Roberta Eaton Cheadle, is a South African writer and poet specialising in historical, paranormal, and horror novels and short stories. She is an avid reader in these genres and her writing has been influenced by famous authors including Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Amor Towles, Stephen Crane, Enrich Maria Remarque, George Orwell, Stephen King, and Colleen McCullough.
Roberta has two published novels and a collection of short stories and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories included in several anthologies. She is also a contributor to the Ask the Authors 2022 (WordCrafter Writing Reference series).
Roberta is also the author and illustrator of seventeen children’s books, illustrator to a further three children’s books, and the author and illustrator of four poetry books published under the name of Robbie Cheadle, and has poems and short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
Roberta’s blog features discussions about classic books, book reviews, poetry, and photography. https://roberta-writes.com/.
Find Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Blog: https://wordpress.com/view/robertawrites235681907.wordpress.com
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertawrites
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Roberta-Eaton-Cheadle/e/B08RSNJQZ5
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Like this post? Are you a fan of this blog series? Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
__________________________________________
This segment of “In Touch with Nature” is sponsored by the Midnight Anthology Series and WordCrafter Press.
Midnight Roost: Weird and Creepy Stories: 20 authors bring your nightmares to life in 23 stories of ghosts, paranormal phenomenon and the horror from the dark crevasses of their minds. Stories of stalkers, both human and supernatural, possession and occult rituals, alien visitations of the strange kind, and ghostly tales that will give you goosebumps. These are the tales that will make you fear the dark. Read them at the Midnight Roost… if you dare. https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Roost-Kaye-Lynne-Booth-ebook/dp/B0CL6FPLVJ
Midnight Garden: Where Dark Tales Grow: 17 authors bring you 21 magnificent dark tales. Stories of magic, monsters and mayhem. Tales of murder and madness which will make your skin crawl. These are the tales that explore your darkest fears. Read them in the Midnight Garden… if you dare. https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Garden-Where-Tales-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0DJNDQJD3
Midnight Oil: Stories to Fuel Your Nightmares: 14 authors bring you 16 dark tales that explore your deepest fears. These are the stories which nightmares are made of. Tales of monsters, mayhem, and madness which will make you shiver in the dark. Read them while you burn the Midnight Oil… if you dare. https://books2read.com/Midnight-Oil
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Treasuring Poetry – Meet poet and author, Laura Lyndhurst, and a review
Posted: February 18, 2026 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Collection, Interview, Poetry, Review, Treasuring Poetry | Tags: #RobbieCheadle, #TreasuringPoetry, Book Review, Interview, Laura Lyndhurst, Poetry, Robbie Cheadle, Social Climbing and Other Poems, Treasuring Poetry, Writing to be Read 31 Comments
Hi everyone, today I’m thrilled to introduce you to Laura Lyndhurst. Laura is an accomplished author and poet and is also a new member of Story Empire blog which is a great resource for writers. You can read Laura’s first Story Empire post here: https://storyempire.com/2026/02/10/sowing-the-seeds-of-a-story/
Welcome Laura!
Tell us a bit about yourself and your poetry journey. How did you come to be a poet?
I never intended to write poetry. At school it was my least-favourite of the three prose-poetry-drama disciplines, and I didn’t like many of the poems that we studied. It was the same at university, when I finally got there in my forties. I was obliged to study Romanticism for my first-year core module, and I hated it. Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelly; I wasn’t keen on them, although I was okay with some of Keats’s work. In the second year I couldn’t help but study more poetry, and I didn’t mind John Donne at all.
As to my own work, it was when I joined a Facebook writing group that it started. The group leader decided to post a picture every day for the month of October, inviting the group members to write a few paragraphs of prose around them. I sat with the first picture, thought, wrote—and what came out was poetry. The leader and members liked it, and thereafter I challenged myself to write poem every day from the picture prompt. At the end of the months I decided to publish them in a book, to claim copyright on them as much as anything. I called it October Poems, after the month in which I wrote them, and three more little collections followed in the next year or two.
What is your favourite poem by another poet and why?
That’s difficult. I like poetry more now than I used to, and there are several poets whose work appeals. I tend to listen to Leonard Cohen’s songs more than I read his poems, but he does have a way with lyrics; I mean, ‘the place is dead as Heaven on a Saturday night’ is so great. Hardy’s ‘The Darkling Thrush’ is up there, along with ‘This Be The Verse’ by Phillip Larkin. ‘Pity me not because the light of day’ by Edna St. Vincent Millay and ‘Rubbish at Adultery’ by Sophie Hannah attract, from the serious and the not-so as well. Choice for today, however, has to be ‘Refugee Blues’ by W.H. Auden. It never gets old, unfortunately, and although it’s written around one specific ethnic refugee group it can be applied to the myriad groups in existence before and since it was written; and now, in the 2020s, it feels massively relevant. You can find it here: https://allpoetry.com/refugee-blues
What is your favourite style of poetry and why?
Another difficult question. I don’t have a favourite style as such. I’ll read many different poems, some I’ll like and some I won’t, but the style of writing doesn’t have much bearing on why I like them or not. I do have an author friend, Thomas Leverett, who writes extensively in haiku form, and I loved his E Pluribus Haiku, which feels like travelling around the USA in haiku form. It’s on the link below, if you’re interested.https://www.amazon.com/Pluribus-Haiku-Anthology-3487-ebook/dp/B08X2YRQB2
Which is your favourite of your own poems?
I love them all, some more than others, it has to be admitted. I’ll choose the last one I wrote, however, because it is the last one and about ‘the end’. It’s from Social Climbing and Other Poems, and inspired by Clive Thompson’s photo of the altar of a Greek Orthodox Church.
Due Process
Your case has been a lengthy one; eighty-four years it’s taken, to
observe your less-than-perfect deeds and gather evidence to
aid the prosecution. But now you’ll have your day in court and
the jury gathered here, the Twelve, will finally decide, for or
against, whether you stay righteous here or whether you go down.
You wish to conduct your own defence? No, really, that won’t do, you’ll
be given representation. One of these saintly suits here gathered,
yes, that’s right, the ones with haloed wigs, will intercede for you.
Sorry for the delay; we understand that it’s a real nerve-wracking time for
you, but we can’t begin until His Honour gets here to take His place there,
in the big chair. The witnesses are here for you, plus jury, twelve good men
and true, not to forget the female sex, the immaculate, to try to push
your sins aside and hide you ‘neath their garments of compassion.
But nothing can occur until the God-Father is here; He’s judge
and jury all in one, Divine Justice in person. So please don’t fret,
or maybe do, for He knows you as well as you, and maybe better.
This whole set-up is just for show, to satisfy the need to see the
wheels of justice set in motion; your sentence fixed already,
your judgement day is here.
And here Our Father approaches now.
The court will rise …
Tell us a bit about your book, Social Climbing and other poems – what is the inspiration for the collection?
At the time I was friends with a photographer, Clive Thompson, and one of his pictures inspired a poem – ‘So This is Christmas’, which I recently published on my blog. Clive then allowed me to put together a book of my poems written to the prompts of some of his pictures.
What’s next for Laura Lyndhurst in the world of writing?
No more poetry, I’m afraid; nothing planned, at any rate, but if something occurs then I’ll be putting it together. At present I’m editing my latest novel, a whodunnit of sorts; a new departure for me, sort-of, because although I like adding a bit of a mystery to some of my stories this will be the first time I’ve brought the police in to investigate. It’s more focussed on before the murder, the personalities involved and their potential motivations. After that I’ll see what else occurs to me.
Many thanks for interviewing me. I’ve enjoyed it very much.
My review of SOCIAL CLIMBING: and Other Poems
When I saw the cover of this collection, the shiny, red high heeled shoes against a white background, it reminded me of the movie, The Devil Wears Prada featuring Merril Streep and I was completely fascinated. I was not disappointed as this interesting collection of freestyle poems is a head on collision with an array of social situations, many of which are uncomfortable.
“The sit inside and watch the show, these Parisian fans of opera; but we,
lacking the means to buy the tickets for the red-plush, well-upholstered
seats and ornate murals, gilt-decked swirls and whirls of rococo decor,
prefer to take our entertainment in quite another way. Out here in the street”
from Street Theatre
Laura slices to the heart of human emotions and frustrations and these poetic expressions resonated with me. One poem I particularly delighted over is “I don’t know much about art but I know what I like”.
“So I’m breaking out of normalcy,
gone so very Modernisth,
this El Greco’s got his paintbox out
and given life a twist.”
Honestly, this poem made me laugh until I cried. Fantastic!
Each poem is introduced with a beautiful colour photograph by photographer, Clive Thompson.
Do yourself a favour, purchase this collection and allow Laura to put your life in perspective for you.
About Laura Lyndhurst
Laura Lyndhurst was born and grew up in North London, England, before marrying and travelling with her husband in the course of his career.
When settled back in the UK she became a mature student and gained Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English and Literature before training and working as a teacher.
She started writing in the last few years in the peace and quiet of rural Lincolnshire, and published her debut novel, Fairytales Don’t Come True, in May 2020. This book forms the first of a trilogy, Criminal Conversation, of which the second is Degenerate, Regenerate and All That We Are Heir To the third. Innocent, Guilty, the first of another trilogy, continues the story told in these three books and leads on to The Future of Our House, which is followed by Uphill, Downhill, Over, Out as the sixth and final book to end the series. An Honourable Institution was published as a stand-alone novel in January 2025, as was The Guilty Party in September 2025.
Laura also developed a taste for psychological suspense, which led to the writing and publication of You Know What You Did, to which What Else Did You Do? is the sequel.
Laura has also published four small books of poems, October Poems, Thanksgiving Poems and Prose Pieces, Poet-Pourri and Social Climbing and Other Poems.
Find Laura Lyndhurst
Website: https://booksthatmakeyouthink2.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.lyndhurst (personal profile)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauralyndhurstauthor/ (author profile)
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Laura-Lyndhurst/author/B088QFJJ3Q
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20336562.Laura_Lyndhurst
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lyndhurstlauraauthor/
Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/lyndhurstlaura/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alectrona47
About Robbie Cheadle
South African author and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated sixteen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.
Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/
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Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
__________________________
This segment of “Treasuring Poetry” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and the Poetry Treasures series.
Get Your Copy Today!
Poetry Treasures: https://books2read.com/PoetryTreasures
Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships: https://books2read.com/PT2-Relationships
Poetry Treasures 3: Passions: https://books2read.com/u/b5qnBR
Poetry Treasures 4:In Touch With Nature: https://books2read.com/PT4-Nature
Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures: https://books2read.com/PT5-SmallPleasures
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Read & Cook – Rhyming Dreams by Nicole Sara and Multicoloured Jelly Cupcakes
Posted: February 11, 2026 Filed under: Book Review, Collection, Poetry, Read and Cook, Recipes, Review | Tags: #ReadandCook, #RobbieCheadle, Book Reveiw, Nicole Sara, Poetry, Recipes, Rhyming Dreams, Writing to be Read 32 CommentsRhyming Dreams by Nicole Sara
What Amazon says
Rhyming Dreams is an enchanting and engaging collection of poems about the heart’s winding journey through deep wistful longing towards bliss and belonging along the meandering road of love and loss, hope and healing. This book is for anyone who dreams a lot, loves deeply, and has both good and bad days.. like steps on a pathway, be them confident or hesitating, nevertheless tirelessly searching for happiness in the enjoyment of small things around, yet so sweet, that life has to offer.
Each and every poem in this debut collection is deeply rooted in personal moments and experiences but still wonderfully universal, so that you feel taken by the hand and shown the beauty and brightness of it all, thus wholeheartedly invited to gently give yourself grace beyond the sadness of blue gloomy days, the tears or the brokenness.
This collection of beautifully flowing and uplifting verse is a soothing balm for the soul in search of serenity, helping the reader to reach peaceful shores deep within.
for here, on Earth, you and I
bearing within us the sky
we dance away beneath whispering stars
trying to reach beyond rails and bars
(fromKinship)
My review
The poetry content of Rhyming Dreams is a delightfully ethereal as its striking cover of a female goddess in shades of blue against a turquoise background. The poet introduces this collection with an overview about the large variety of different steps she has taken during her life and how they have led her on different journeys. Some steps are hard to take and some are taken quickly, heedless of potential danger, but all lead to change. The overarching message in this introduction and in this book, is that no matter how tough life gets, our feet always eventually grow wings again and our steps led us upwards, in pursuit of our dreams and better opportunities.
Many of the poems are written in rhyming verse which is a favourite form of mine, and all are exquisitely beautiful. Each poem is matched with one of the poet’s wonderful colour photographs that compliment the words. One of the objectives of this collection is to create and share beauty by engaging all of the senses in a sensuous and vivid way. It creates a path of poems to joy and gratitude.
One of my favourite poems in the collection is called Starry Steps and it provides a small peek into the collection.
Starry Steps
“to step on stairs
of stars
to breathe in their light,
their dream
touching their statin star dust
beyond clouds
and the moon…
smiling
from within their shine
and hiding behind veils of rays
to fall asleep
sun in your heart…”
A poetry collection that uplifts and inspires.
Purchase Rhyming Dreams by Nicole Sara from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Rhyming-Dreams-Nicole-Sara-ebook/dp/B0DCZXWMBF
Multicoloured Jelly Cupcakes
Ingredients
1 each red, green, orange, blue and pink jelly; 1 lemon jelly; 125 ml evaporated milk; and 250 ml clear apple juice
Method
Make up the red, green, orange, blue and pink jellies according to the instructions on the packet. When set, chop the jellies roughly into squares. Heat the apple juice and dissolve the lemon jelly in the juice and allow to cool. Add the slightly beaten evaporated milk. Place cupcake holders on a baking tray and fill them to three quarters full with different coloured squares of jelly. Cover the jelly pieces with the lemon mixture. Place in the refrigerator to set overnight.
About Robbie Cheadle
Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/
Find Robbie Cheadle
Blog https://wordpress.com/home/robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com
Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyFo_OJLPqFa9ZhHnCfHUA
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15584446.Robbie_Cheadle
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Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
___________________________________
This segment of “Read and Cook with Robbie Cheadle” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and their themed anthologies.
Tales From the Hanging Tree: Imprints of Tragedy: There exists a tree that is timeless, spanning across all dimensions, which absorbs every life as those who are hanged as they die… and it remembers every one. The stories within are a select few of the Tales From the Hanging Tree.
Curses: Chronicles of Darkness:
There are all types of curses.
Cursed places, cursed items, cursed people, cursed families.
Curses that last throughout time. Curses which can’t be broken. Curses which are brought upon ourselves. Curses that will kill you and those that will only make you wish you were dead.
Legends: Monsters That Go Bump in the Night: Coming in 2026
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Treasuring Poetry – Meet talented poet Paul Cannon
Posted: January 21, 2026 Filed under: Poetry, Treasuring Poetry | Tags: #Poetrycommunity, #RobbieCheadle, Paul Cannon, Poetry, Poetry Challenges, Robbie Cheadle, Treasuring Poetry, Writing to be Read 33 CommentsHi everyone, welcome back to Treasuring Poetry 2026. My first guest of the year is talented poet, Paul Cannon, who I met through the d’Verse Poets Pub. You can find the latest d’Verse challenge here: https://dversepoets.com/2026/01/15/its-open-link-night-and-our-live-session-is-just-around-the-corner/. d’Verse hosts three challenges a week and they are all very interesting.
Tell us a bit about Paul Cannon. How and why did you start writing poetry?
My earliest memory of my interest in poetry is my parents encouraging me to listen to them reading poetry to me from the Children’s Book Of Verse. I remember in later primary school having to memorise poems like Coleridge’s ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ and Southey’s ‘The Inchcape Rock’ along with Patterson’s ‘The Man From Snowy River.’ Poetry captured my imagination.
Later, in high school, we were introduced to many poets and forms from around the world. We were also tasked with writing poetry which I enjoyed. One poet who I continue to read from that time is Robert Frost, I love the way he draws me into observing human behaviour and feelings, and how he observes nature.
After high school I continued to write. The incentive was, naturally, love interests. My girlfriends were always polite about my writing, not least Lyn my wife to be. From the time I married in 83 to the mid nineties I was hit and miss with writing, what brought me back in earnest was my journey into becoming an Anglican priest and the pathway of training to be a spiritual director or companion for those needing a sounding board for personal discernment. This journey opened me up to the poetry of Mary Oliver, R.S. Thomas, Denise Levertov, Blake, Milton, Edwina Gateley, Noel Davis, Rumi, Hafez, Layli and many more. These poets inspired me and I became intentional about my writing at this point.
I didn’t go online with my poems until 2017. I was writing prose on Face Book and switched to WordPress in 2013 and it was through the WordPress community that I was encouraged to take the plunge into poetry after posting some tentative pieces.
Calm Kate from aroused blog prodded me along. Through the late Sarah Conner I discovered the wonderful world of dVerse and she encouraged me to keep working on my craft. Liz Gauffreau, Melissa Lemay are two people who have supported my desire to go further with my work. dVerse offers a broad and rich palette to enjoy and learn from.
Last year I joined Tanka Tuesday and I’m enjoying the community that Colleen Cheseboro has created, as well as the poetry. I was thrilled to have three of my poems in the Sunflower Tanka 2025 Anthology. I also write on bluesky, where I have joined a few poetry challenge sites, including The Broken Spine – Alan Parry #PoemsAbout (thank you Merril), Paul Brookes’ Starbeck Orion and others. I haven’t posted yet (coming soon) but I have become a friend of Melissa Lemay’s Collaborature and I’m interested in the venture of collaborative writing having done a little bit elsewhere. In 2021 I was faced with a decision, when events overtook me. I had been thinking of resigning as a priest, I was disillusioned with the institution of the church and policies and procedures and my views had radically changed by experience. While mulling that over I experienced a series of aggressive and violent incidences over three weeks resulting in PTSD. I fell apart, but I continued writing, and in fact, my poetry became a life line (there are more than a few journals based on writing and poetry as healing). I resigned. I continue in private practice as a spiritual director but one who is eclectic and open minded and not tethered to a theology or philosophy. In that work I belong to a professional body and we have a journal for which I am the poetry editor and I facilitate a monthly online group for which I send out a prompt. So many wonderful people and such delightful contemplative poetry.
So, why do I write? I can’t not write! I enjoy expressing myself, I love writing, I enjoy community. I was also formed for it from my earliest days, through school and through friends, and especially the online community now.
So now if anyone asks what I do, I reply – “I’m a Poet.”
Which poet has influenced you the most and why?
Who do I pick? Neruda, Li Po, Basho, Bukowski, Dickinson, Hejinian, Whyte, Heaney, Eliot? So many have been instrumental in my life. The poet I come back to the most is Mary Oliver. Her love of people, her passion for nature, her metaphors and the simplicity of her poems have all captured my heart. Oliver speaks my language and touches my experience.
Please share your favourite poem by your favourite poet
There are so many poems I could list. One of my favourites by Mary Oliver is ‘The Journey”
The Journey – by Mary Oliver
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice—
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do—
determined to save
the only life you could save.
Please share your favourite of your own poems and tell us a bit about it.
I have written so many, but one that is recent and is close to my heart is:
Light Dreams by Paul Cannon
If the whole world were
in an impenetrable darkness
the sun in hibernation
I would dream some light,
reach in and carefully gather it
up into my cupped hands and
cast it across the hungry sky
until every speckle sparked
in every living thing.
In 1979 I had a brief conversation with Bob Dylan around meaning. I asked him what he attached to his lyrics and poems and he said that his work meant something to him, but in the wider world audience his work would take on whatever meaning others found in it. In short, a poem means what it means for you. And I stand by that. What ‘Light Dreams’ is about for me is that we can sit around and worry about the state of the world (and it is, in my view, dire politically, economically and environmentally) but what is needed is for us to be an agent of change, and agent of light, and agent of hope, of love in some way. It fits my belief that all things have an intrinsic right to be treated with dignity, fairness and care. It also fits my belief that love makes the world go round.
You enter a lot of poetry challenges. What attracts you to poetry challenges?
I really enjoy the challenge of writing to a prompt, it stretches me, makes me think and feel. The other side of a challenge is the communal aspect, people interacting through their work, and offering their perspective. The communities I engage with for prompts and challenges are so supportive and encouraging. It is also an opportunity to learn and grow, I know I am not the same poet as I was twenty, or even five years ago as a result.
My Blog Parallax can be found at https://pvcann.com Parallax means that we can see something, see it from another angle and therefore see it differently, so too no two people see things the same – hence – a poem means what it means for you.
You can also find other poetry I write at @pvcannon.bsky.social
About Paul Cannon
Paul is a poet and writer who lives with his wife Lyn in Augusta, Western Australia, they have two adult sons and now grandchildren. Paul loves being creative whether in the garden, with wood, with paint or clay, and not least with the pen. Paul enjoys hiking, camping, reading, wine and a good single malt whiskey.
About Robbie Cheadle
South African author and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated sixteen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.
Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/
________________________
Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
__________________________
This segment of “Treasuring Poetry” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and the Poetry Treasures series.
Get Your Copy Today!
Poetry Treasures: https://books2read.com/PoetryTreasures
Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships: https://books2read.com/PT2-Relationships
Poetry Treasures 3: Passions: https://books2read.com/u/b5qnBR
Poetry Treasures 4:In Touch With Nature: https://books2read.com/PT4-Nature
Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures: https://books2read.com/PT5-SmallPleasures
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LINDSEY’S WRITING PRACTICE
Posted: January 7, 2026 Filed under: Lindsey's Writing Practice, Poetry, Writing, writing exercise | Tags: Imagist Poem, Lindsey Martin-Bowen, Lindsey's Writing Practice, Poetry, Writing to be Read 24 Comments
Imagery: Here’s one method to capture a reader’s attention—and evoke feelings. In fact an entire poetry movement was formed around this element: The Imagist Movement.
A MERMAID LIVES HERE
She flicks her tail
mornings,
sprays me with
sea foam
when I
so want to sleep one
more hour
before arising
Again flicking
her tail, she leaps in
the bathtub
so smoothly
—Lindsey Martin-Bowen
Penned by William Carlos Williams, the following poem is an example of the Imagist Movement, wherein the poem was “the thing.” In other words, Imagist poets ignored symbolism, rhyme, rhythm, and other poetic elements and focused upon creating an image.
Consider this your opportunity to attempt writing an Imagist poem. Using your own words, copy merely the style—and perhaps the “beat”—of the WCW poem (on the left) to create yours. And remember to enjoy writing this.
THIS IS JUST TO SAY
I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
and so sweet
and so cold
—William Carlos Williams*
*WCW also wrote numerous short stories that included other essential elements in writing, such as dialogue, action, symbolism and so forth. He was also a physician, who wrote between appointments with patients, some of whom he used as sources for characters in his fiction.
One of my college students (a sophomore) wrote the poem (below). I submitted it to the campus literary magazine, Shorelines, which published it:
I have ruined
your lipstick
that was hidden
in your purse
the coral
shade you wore
only
to special events
I’m sorry it
was just so rich
and soft
and so bright
—Melissa Brower
Please feel free to submit your imagist poem to me. Happy New Year, too. May 2026 bring you joy, prosperity, and other blessings.
If you would like to try your hand at this, please submit your efforts in the comments below, or post it on your own blog and link back to this post, then submit the link to the post in the comments below. We’d love to see what you come up with.
About Lindsey Martin-Bowen
On Halloween 2023, redbat books released Lindsey Martin-Bowen’s 7th poetry collection, CASHING CHECKS with Jim Morrison. Her 4 th collection, Where Water Meets the Rock, was nominated for a Pulitzer; her 3rd, CROSSING KANSAS with Jim Morrison was a finalist in the QuillsEdge Press 2015-2016 Contest. In 2017, it won the Kansas Writers Assn award, “Looks Like a Million.” Writer’s Digest gave her “Vegetable Linguistics” an Honorable Mention in its 85th Annual (2017) Contest. Her Inside Virgil’s Garage (Chatter House Press 2013) was a runner-up in the 2015 Nelson Poetry Book Award. McClatchy Newspapers named her Standing on the Edge of the World (Woodley Press/Washburn University) was one of the Ten Top Poetry Books of 2008. It was nominated for a Pen Award.
___________________________________
Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
_________________________________
This segment of “Lindsey’s Writing Practice” is sponsored by the Midnight Anthology Series and WordCrafter Press.
Midnight Roost: Weird and Creepy Stories: 20 authors bring your nightmares to life in 23 stories of ghosts, paranormal phenomenon and the horror from the dark crevasses of their minds. Stories of stalkers, both human and supernatural, possession and occult rituals, alien visitations of the strange kind, and ghostly tales that will give you goosebumps. These are the tales that will make you fear the dark. Read them at the Midnight Roost… if you dare. https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Roost-Kaye-Lynne-Booth-ebook/dp/B0CL6FPLVJ
Midnight Garden: Where Dark Tales Grow: 17 authors bring you 21 magnificent dark tales. Stories of magic, monsters and mayhem. Tales of murder and madness which will make your skin crawl. These are the tales that explore your darkest fears. Read them in the Midnight Garden… if you dare. https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Garden-Where-Tales-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0DJNDQJD3
Midnight Oil: Stories to Fuel Your Nightmares: 14 authors bring you 16 dark tales that explore your deepest fears. These are the stories which nightmares are made of. Tales of monsters, mayhem, and madness which will make you shiver in the dark. Read them while you burn the Midnight Oil… if you dare. https://books2read.com/Midnight-Oil
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Mind Fields: End of 2025
Posted: December 31, 2025 Filed under: Mind Fields, Poetry | Tags: Arthur Rosch, Mind Fields, Poetry, Writing to be Read 2 Comments
It’s hard to acknowledge that
while I sit here in my chair
I am also flying across a field of golden light
towards the unknowable source of that light
only that It is and I am here.
It beckons me to follow.
Contemplate a god who can present us with the incredible structures of the cosmos. Might that god also be able to form connections within the thinking populace of space/time? Within all their multifold mind/body vehicles spread across the voids, is god possible, or even probable? These connections are features of a divine pathway toward an intelligence of love and meaning. It contains an apparent infinite supply or energy for us to avail ourselves in building an Art Of Universes
_____________________________________
On Playing Music
I can puff the keys with different parts of my fingers.
A brush to the side of my callused index; a flurry across
the black notes. Hands are wing- like in their facile adaptions.
No disorder survives. Music resolves most of the time
in harmony or obvious discord but it resolves
it doesn’t leave you hanging there wondering
what happened? Did he walk out on stage
and break a bottle over his head?
Remember this always: it takes two bottles over the head
to qualify as music.
ABOUT MUSIC
The most fun my fingers can have is when they
twiddle the keys, fingers going round and round amid
black and white follicles
jungles
of notes like towers
chords like suns
feeling for the right spot
to sit on the right spot
the fingers don’t forget the flowering pleas
to the pleading towers. Ancient note structures
float in the desert. Across the dunes camel tracks
vanish in the wind.. Natural heritage from generations
lurching rhythms hustle elbows knees flying.
I’m working on it he says.
mocking the entire enterprise.
I can puff the keys with different parts of my fingers.
A brush to the side of my callused index; a flurry across
the black notes. Hands are wing- like in their facile adaptions.
No disorder survives. Music resolves most of the time
in harmony or obvious discord but it resolves
it doesn’t leave you hanging there wondering
what happened? Did he walk out on stage
and break a bottle over his head?
Remember this always: it takes two bottles over the head
to qualify as music.
About Arthur Rosch
Arthur Rosch is a novelist, musician, photographer and poet. His works are funny, memorable and often compelling. One reviewer said “He’s wicked and feisty, but when he gets you by the guts, he never lets go.” Listeners to his music have compared him to Frank Zappa, Tom Waits, Randy Newman or Mose Allison. These comparisons are flattering but deceptive. Rosch is a stylist, a complete original. His material ranges from sly wit to gripping political commentary.
Arthur was born in the heart of Illinois and grew up in the western suburbs of St. Louis. In his teens he discovered his creative potential while hoping to please a girl. Though she left the scene, Arthur’s creativity stayed behind. In his early twenties he moved to San Francisco and took part in the thriving arts scene. His first literary sale was to Playboy Magazine. The piece went on to receive Playboy’s “Best Story of the Year” award. Arthur also has writing credits in Exquisite Corpse, Shutterbug, eDigital, and Cat Fancy Magazine. He has written five novels, a memoir and a large collection of poetry. His autobiographical novel, Confessions Of An Honest Man won the Honorable Mention award from Writer’s Digest in 2016.
More of his work can be found at www.artrosch.com
Photos at https://500px.com/p/artsdigiphoto?view=photos
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Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
____________________________
This segment of “Mind Fields” is sponsored by the Roberta Writes blog site, where you can find the poetry, photos, videos, and book reviews by Robbie Cheadle and so much more.
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WordCrafter News: January Release – “The Ones Who Stayed With Me” & What’s Ahead in 2026
Posted: December 29, 2025 Filed under: Anthology, Book Release, Book Sales, Dark Fantasy, Dark fiction, Debut novel, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Memoir, Poetry, Science Fiction, Short Fiction, Time travel, Western, WordCrafter News, WordCrafter Press, Writing | Tags: 2026 Publishing Schedule, Happy New Year, New release, Nurse Sammy, The Ones That Stayed With Me, WordCrafter News, WordCrafter Press 12 Comments
The Ones Who Stayed With Me, by Nurse Sammy
I’m pleased to announce the release of a collection of true-life stories from the career of an L.P.N., written by a debut author known only as Nurse Sammy on January 13, 2026. I am so excited to be partnering with Nurse Sammy on this book and publish it through WordCrafter, because my own experiences in the health care field makes Nurse Sammy’s accounts ring true. Some stories will make you laugh. Others may make you cry. But there’s never any doubt that these stories come straight from the heart.
Chronicles of the journey into the medical field as a young nurse and beyond, told with raw sensitivity and compassion. The Ones Who Stayed with Me offers small glimpses into the world of an L.P.N. put in difficult, often touching or humorous, situations—and Nurse Sammy’s courage, vulnerability, and insight are a gift to us all. In these pages, Nurse Sammy tells her story and that of those she met along the way.
What’s Ahead in 2026
WordCrafter Press has a busy year planned for 2026, with a book release almost every single month, and two months designated to the writing of my own works, I may find little time to breathe. But, I’m excited about the new works by rising authors that are scheduled, including the one above, by Nurse Sammy, a paranormal romance by B.T. Clearwater, and two novels by rising author Lindsey Martin-Bowen, as well as a nonfiction work on a new approach to treating diabetes, by Daniel Cox, Ph.D., A.B.P.P.
We’ll also be publishing two themed anthologies which are by invitation only, as well as our annual short fiction contest and the resulting anthology, which will be book 4 in the Midnight Anthology Series.
February: Writing Month
I’ll be using this month to finalize the second book in my Time Travel Series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions, which will be scheduled for release in March. This book was originally scheduled to release in 2025, but due to unforeseen technical difficulties, (my laptop died), I was unable to make those deadlines, so I’m excited to be releasing it at last.
March: The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions – Book 2 in the Time Travel Adventure Series, by Kaye Lynne Booth
In 1887, LeRoy is stuck, bringing trouble down on those around him. When Sissy is kidnapped and he’s the only one who can save her.
In 2030, Amaryllis will stop at nothing to find LeRoy fix what she messed up in the past, when she wakes up in a future very different to the one she knows, one in which she may not be born.
She and a version of Monique which is different from the one she grew up with travel back to 1887 to try and make things right.
When they cross the other time loops, already created, things change, but not the way Amaryllis intended.
Add two time travel regulators from the future who are after the time module, and things start to get wild.
April: Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons poetry anthology
The annual WordCrafter poetry anthology, Poetry Treasures will be released in April in celebration of National Poetry Month. 2026 brings us volume 6 in the Poetry Treasures anthology series with a theme of ‘Seasons’. The contributors for this anthology are selected from the guests on Robbie Cheadle’s “Treasuring Poetry” blog series in 2025.
May: The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder, by Lindsey Martin-Bowen
A Romantic Comedy set in Boulder, Colorado, in the late 1970’s. Charli Erickson is a “rock poet” who’s a bit “flippant.” Each chapter will be music to your ears.
June: Smothered, by B.T. Clearwater
A paranormal romance by B.T. Clearwater.
June: Diabetes: How to prevent or treat it with a new and effective approach that does not involve supplements, weight loss or medication, by Daniel Cox Ph.D., A.B.P.P.
Personalized, research based, practical, empowering, effective workbook. For individuals who want to take control of their diabetes.
July: Marta – Book 3 in the Women in the West Adventure Series, by Kaye Lynne Booth
Marta is a woman trying to make a new start in hostile territory.
Marta is not the timid Mormon woman, who was abducted by Utes as her husband and children were killed in the raid. Now she is determined to make her way as an independent woman, after her partner tried to cheat her out of her share of a gold mine.
Determination and inner grit bring this strong and spunky heroine into the company of a cast of colorful and unique female characters and together, they face down banditos, Comancheros, and angry husbands and fathers, as well as Marta’s disgruntled partner as they travel the rugged desert landscape to unruly border town of El Paso, Texas.
If you like strong and capable female protagonists, you’ll love Marta.
August: Legends anthology
A WordCrafter themed anthology
September: Deep City in Times Roman, by Lindsey Martin-Bowen
A “Roman Clef” based upon the Moony movement, popular in the 1970s and ’80. Set in the 1980s, Lynette and Shirley are quite angry at the Reverand Yun Sung Ghunne, who has separated their husbands from them as he is forming his Ghunies movement. This story spoofs the Mooney movement, or any movement that is mainly designed to dupe persons into supporting the leader and building his wealth.
October: Midnight Madness: A Carnival of Nightmares dark fiction anthology
Volume 4 of the WordCrafter
Midnight Dark Fiction Anthology Series
November: Writing Month
This month I’ll be working on revising what I have of my Playground for the Gods science fantasy series. (It’s been a while since you heard about this one. I bet you forgot all about it, but I didn’t.) Originally planned as a massive four-book series, I now plan to release this entire series in serial installments on Ream.
This series started out as my thesis project for my first M.F.A. degree. I left off with the first book completed, and part of the second, as well as a few chapters for the third. Once these have been revised, which is planned for the month of July, I should be ready to take off with new chapters and continue the saga. Look forward to seeing this series released on Ream as a serial in 2027!
December: The 12 Dark Nights of Christmas anthology
‘Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the crypt
Not a body was stirring
Not a single bone twitched.
The corpses were nestled in eternal beds
While visions of the macabre lurched through their heads.
The Spirits were restless and flitting about
In anticipation of mayhem when the demons came out.
Twelve dark stories that prove Santa isn’t the only thing stirring on Christmas.
Happy New Year – Have a Great 2026!
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In Touch With Nature – 12 Days of Christmas in Southern Africa
Posted: December 24, 2025 Filed under: Holidays, In Touch With Nature, Photography, Poetry, Wildlife | Tags: #InTouchWithNature, #RobbieCheadle, In Touch With Nature, Nature Photography, Robbie Cheadle, South Africa, Wildlife, Writing to be Read 50 CommentsI am ending my “In Touch With Nature” year with a Southern Africanised version of 12 Days of Christmas.
12 Days of Christmas in Southern Africa
On the first day of Christmas
My true love sent to me:
A leopard in a great tree
On the second day of Christmas
My true love sent to me:
Two lion cubs and
A leopard in a great tree
On the third day of Christmas
My true love sent to me:
Three hartebeest
Two lion cubs and
A leopard in a great tree
On the fourth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me:
Four playing wild dogs
Three hartebeest
Two lion cubs and
A leopard in a great tree
On the fifth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me:
Five feeding cheetahs
Four playing wild dogs
Three hartebeest
Two lion cubs and
A leopard in a great tree
On the sixth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me:
Six grazing zebras
Five feeding cheetahs
Four playing wild dogs
Three hartebeest
Two lion cubs and
A leopard in a great tree
On the seventh day of Christmas
My true love sent to me:
Seven marching elephants
Six grazing zebras
Five feeding cheetahs
Four playing wild dogs
Three hartebeest
Two lion cubs and
A leopard in a great tree
On the eighth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me:
Eight gemsbok a-resting
Seven marching elephants
Six grazing zebras
Five feeding cheetahs
Four playing wild dogs
Three hartebeest
Two lion cubs and
A leopard in a great tree
On the ninth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me:
Nine wildebeest prancing
Eight gemsbok a-resting
Seven marching elephants
Six grazing zebras
Five feeding cheetahs
Four playing wild dogs
Three hartebeest
Two lion cubs and
A leopard in a great tree
On the tenth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me:
Ten impala a-watering
Nine wildebeest prancing
Eight gemsbok a-resting
Seven marching elephants
Six grazing zebras
Five feeding cheetahs
Four playing wild dogs
Three hartebeest
Two lion cubs and
A leopard in a great tree
On the eleventh day of Christmas
My true love sent to me:
Eleven buffalos drinking
Ten impala a-watering
Nine wildebeest prancing
Eight gemsbok a-resting
Seven marching elephants
Six grazing zebras
Five feeding cheetahs
Four playing wild dogs
Three hartebeest
Two lion cubs and
A leopard in a great tree
On the twelfth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me:
Twelve guinea fowl running
Eleven buffalos drinking
Ten impala a-watering
Nine wildebeest prancing
Eight gemsbok a-resting
Seven marching elephants
Six grazing zebras
Five feeding cheetahs
Four playing wild dogs
Three hartebeest
Two lion cubs and
A leopard in a great tree
Happy Holidays!
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Treasuring Poetry – Sunflower Tanka Dreams anthology compiled by Robbie Cheadle and Colleen M. Chesebro
Posted: December 17, 2025 Filed under: Anthology, Poetry, Treasuring Poetry | Tags: #Poetryanthology, #Poetrycommunity, #RobbieCheadle, #TreasuringPoetry, Colleen M. Chesebro, Dreams, Poetry, Poetry Anthology, Robbie Cheadle, Sunflower Tanka, Treasuring Poetry, Writing to be Read 67 CommentsHi everyone, this is my last Treasuring Poetry post 0f 2025 and I’m thrilled to be ending with a post about the second anthology in the Sunflower Tanka anthology series with the theme of dreams.
This wonderful anthology has 54 contributors and the variety of fascinating takes on the theme of dreams is fascinating. Colleen M. Chesebro and I are contributing editors of this collection and Colleen created an amazing cover using one of my watercolour paintings. The green-haired flower maiden is based on Meadow, a character from one of Teagan Riordain Geneviene’s imaginative stories, Atonement in Bloom. You can learn more about this book here: https://teagansbooks.com/2025/12/08/a-bloomin-snippet-for-cffc/
Blurb
Sunflower Tanka, edited by Robbie Cheadle and Colleen M. Chesebro, is an annual anthology showcasing contemporary tanka, tanka prose, and experimental tanka. Each volume brings together a vibrant tapestry of voices—both emerging and established—from across the globe.
For 2025, our theme “Dreams” invites poets to explore the symbolic language of dreaming, where metaphors blur the line between reality and imagination. Dreams often serve as gateways to layered meaning, offering fertile ground for syllabic poetry.
This year’s contributors journeyed deep into their dreamscapes, opening portals to boundless creativity. Through the timeless form of syllabic verse, they captured visions that transcend waking life, weaving poetry that resonates with mystery, wonder, and the infinite possibilities of the human imagination.
This is the promo video on YouTube:
I am going to take this opportunity to share one of Colleen’s poems and one of my collaborative poem’s with my son, Michael, from this collection.
Writing Through Dreams (tanka Puente) by Colleen M. Chesebro
in the fog of lies
honesty outlines a path
beyond my worst fears
my dreams, a shining lighthouse
nudge out my darkest secrets
– Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. – Thomas Jefferson, former U.S. president
dreams empower me
to use my curative skills
a fresh cup of tea
affords me the wisdom to
write syllabic poetry
The End In Sight (Tanka Puente Collaboration) by Robbie and Michael Cheadle
on the brink of change
bright eyes viewing the future
my son and his friends
graduation imminent
transition to adulthood
– If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right – Henry Ford
anxiety creeps
deep despair spreads like fire
spars fear of failure
disappointing those you love
mother’s nagging tongue lashes
My review
This is a collection of beautiful syllabic poems contributed by 54 poets from around the world. All the poems centre around the theme of dreams and the range of interpretations is fascinating.
The poems in the collection comprise of tanka, tanka prose, garland tanka, tanka Puente, bussokuseki, rensaku and taiga which includes a black and white image and they collectively form a delightful poetry adventure.
The collection is introduced with an interesting overview about the inspiration for the theme and the various meanings of the word dreams. This section closes with a delightful tanka by partnering editor, Colleen Chesebro, as follows:
rain cools with sky-mist
sweet drops spark my appetite
whispering prayers
moonlight breaks through the darkness
a feverish dream of you
The collection concludes with a selection of each of the partnering editors favourite poems and the reasons why those specific poems resonated with each of them.
One of my favourite poems is by Yvette M. Calleiro:
miracle baby
you came to me in a dream
blessing from above
missing puzzle piece in life
my greatest accomplishment
I feel this way about my own two sons and so this poem has stayed in my heart.
A delightful collection of poetry that will make a lovely gift to others or to yourself.
Amazon US purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/Sunflower-Tanka-Anthology-Prose-Experimental/dp/B0G51RKG61
Tanka Tuesday
You can join in weekly syllabic poetry challenges on Tanka Tuesday here: https://tankatuesday.com/2025/12/09/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-42-gift-gifting-12-09-25/
About Colleen M. Chesebro
Colleen M. Chesebro grew up in a large city in the Midwest. Keen on making her own way in the world, she joined the United States Air Force after graduation to tour the world and find herself. To this day, that search continues.
An avid reader, Colleen M. Chesebro rekindled her love of writing poetry after years spent working in the accounting industry. These days, she loves crafting syllabic poetry, flash fiction, and creative fiction and nonfiction.
In addition to poetry books, Chesebro’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of her writing community on her blog on by organizing and sponsoring a weekly syllabic poetry challenge, called #TankaTuesday, where participants experiment with traditional and current forms of Japanese and American syllabic poetry.
Chesebro lives in the house of her dreams in mid-Michigan, surrounded by the Great Lakes with her husband and two (unicorn) cats, Chloe & Sophie.
You can find Colleen M. Chesebro on her personal blog here: https://colleenchesebro.org/
About Robbie Cheadle
South African author and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated sixteen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.
Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/
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Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
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This segment of “Treasuring Poetry” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and the Poetry Treasures series.
Get Your Copy Today!
Poetry Treasures: https://books2read.com/PoetryTreasures
Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships: https://books2read.com/PT2-Relationships
Poetry Treasures 3: Passions: https://books2read.com/u/b5qnBR
Poetry Treasures 4:In Touch With Nature: https://books2read.com/PT4-Nature
Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures: https://books2read.com/PT5-SmallPleasures
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The Gift of Poetry Sale
Posted: December 11, 2025 Filed under: Anthology, Book Promotion, Book Sales, Books, Collection, Poetry | Tags: Behind Closed Doors, Feral Tenderness, Poetry Treasures, Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships, Poetry Treasures 3: Passions, Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature, Poetry Treasures 5: Simple Pleasures, Poetry Treasures Series, Small Wonders, The Gift of Poetry Sale, WordCrafter Press 4 Comments
Starting Black Friday, November 28th and running clear through December 25th, for those last-minute gifts.
Click on the book title to go to the landing page. Then, select the distributor of your choice.
The Poetry Treasures Series
Open the cover
and you will discover
Poetry Treasures
from the guests on Robbie Cheadle’s “Treasuring Poetry” blog series on Writing to be Read.
Poetry Treasures – $2.99 – Open the book and discover the poetry treasures of Sue Vincent, Geoff Le Pard, Frank Prem, Victoria (Tori) Zigler, Colleen M. Chesebro, K. Morris, Annette Rochelle Aben, Jude Kitya Itakali, and Roberta Eaton Cheadle.
Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships – $2.99 – Relationships are golden and each of Arthur Rosch, Elizabeth Merry, D Avery, Robbie Cheadle, Harmony Kent, Lauren Scott, Jules Paige, Leon Stevens, Colleen M. Chesebro, Miriam Hurdle, Marjorie Mallon, and Lynda McKinney Lambert pay poetic tribute to their most intense personal moments.
Poetry Treasures 3: Passions – $2.99 – Passion treasures within. Included are treasures from: Patty Fletcher, D. Wallace Peach, Yvette Prior, Penny Wilson, Colleen M. Chesebro, Abbie Taylor, Yvette Calliero, , Smitha Vishwanath, Chris Hall, Willow Willers, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, and Robbie Cheadle.
Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature – $ 2.99 – Included are poetic gems from: Andrew McDowell, Robbie Cheadle, Patricia Furstenberg, Marcia Meara, Luanne Castle, D.L. Finn, Emily Gmitter, Kaye Lynne Booth, Selma Martin, Merril D. Smith, Frank Prem, and Colleen Chesebro.
Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures – $2.99 – Join poets DL Mullan, Barbara Harris Leonhard, Jude Itakali, Ivor Steven, Robbie Cheadle, Michelle Ayon Navajas, Gwen M. Plano, Elizabeth Gauffreau, David Bogomolny, Dawn Pasturino, Maggie Watson, and Colleen Chesebro share their own small pleasures in poetic verse.
Individual Poetry Collections
Small Wonders: Reflective Poems, by Kaye Lynne Booth – $1.99 – The world is filled with amazing things, if we will just stop a moment and take notice. In this vast universe, we are but tiny individuals, filled with awe and amazement. From reflections on first love, to reflections on growing old. The poems within these pages express a lifetime of unique reflections in Small Wonders.
Behind Closed Doors: A Collection of Unusual Poems, by Robbie Cheadle – $2.99 – What goes on behind closed doors: in the boardroom, after death, in the home, during lockdown, and in nature? This collection of poems, ranging from rhyming verse to twisted nursery rhymes, captures the emotions and thoughts people hide behind the masks they present to the world.
What thoughts are hidden
Behind her immobile face
Quite expressionless
Eyes cold and indifferent
Scrutinising me – hawk like
This book includes some of Robbie Cheadle’s spectacular fondant art and cakes.
Feral Tenderness: Poetry & Photography, by Arthur Rosch – $2.99 – A lifetime of poetry and photography gives a unique view of life, nature, the world, and the universe.
November 28th – December 25th, 2025
Get your copies today!
