Welcome to Day 1 of the #RRBC “SPOTLIGHT” Author Blog Tour for @bakeandwrite! @RRBC_Org @nonniejules #Poetry

Hello, Friends!

As poetry is my first love, I am so excited to open up RRBC’s March “SPOTLIGHT” Author blog tour for member, Robbie Cheadle! Robbie will be sharing her love of poetry with us today via her book, OPEN A NEW DOOR: A COLLECTION OF POEMS.

Robbie, welcome to Watch “Nonnie” Write! although today, we’re going to watch you! Take it away!

In the author’s own words…

I like simple poetry that shares a powerful message. I also like poetry that rhymes.

I have heard that poetry editors hate rhyming poetry, and that rhyme has become a sore subject in our modern world. My understanding for this dislike is that people believe that serious subjects cannot be tackled using rhyme because poets make their poems to frilly and nursery rhyme like.

I like rhyming verse and it is my ‘go to’ from of poetry. I hope that the topics of most of my rhyming verse poems are sufficiently emotional and series for them not to be considered frivolous.

The following poem, called The Beggar’s Child, is a rhyming verse poem in the scheme A, B, C, B.

The Beggar’s Child

At the traffic light she stands

on her back, a small boy,

his eyes round; deep black

in a wizened face, bereft of joy.

What thoughts cross his mind?

As he observes in his childish way,

the endless traffic that passes by;

throughout each and every long day.

Their well-fed occupants flash by

their faces just at his line of sight,

what feelings in him are aroused?

As they ignore his desperate plight.

Does it make him feel invisible?

Unwelcome in this troublesome life,

does it develop into feelings of despair?

As their complacency cuts like a knife.

The cards he has been dealt,

provide few opportunities to improve and learn,

how frustrating to watch the world pass by

knowing it will never be your turn.

If we want to see real change and difference

we must start to recognise and right,

the casualties of poverty and indifference

even if our individual contribution is slight.

About The Beggar’s Child

When I wrote this poem in 2017, there are several beggars who I passed every day on my route to the office. I gave them tins of food at least once a week. I have always preferred to give consistently to certain people as I think it has a more cumulative effect, albeit small, on their daily lives. One lady had a small baby strapped to her back in the traditional African way. Her little boy’s sad eyes and wizened face inspired this poem. They disappeared one day, and I never found out what happened to them.

OPEN A NEW DOOR

Blurb:

Open a New Door is a poetic peep into the life of the poet, Robbie Cheadle and her co-author, both of whom live in South Africa.

The book is divided into four categories: God bless Africa, God bless my family and friends, God bless me and God bless corporates and work. Each part is sub-divided into the good, the bad and the ugly of the two poets’ experiences, presented in rhyming verse, free-style, haiku and tanka, in each of these categories and include colourful depictions of their thoughts and emotions.

The purpose of this book of poetry is encapsulated in the following tanka and haiku poems:
What drives me to write?
To share my innermost thoughts
The answer is clear
It’s my personal attempt
To make some sense of this world.

Inspiration blossoms
Like the unfurling petals
Of the Desert Rose

About the author…

Roberta Eaton Cheadle has published nine children’s books under the name of Robbie Cheadle. She has branched into writing for adults and young adults and, in order to clearly separate her children’s books from her adult books, is writing for older readers under the name Roberta Eaton Cheadle. Roberta Eaton Cheadle has published two novels for YA and adult readers and has contributed to seven anthologies.

Website

Blog

Twitter

Friends, thank you for dropping by to support Robbie on the first stop along her tour.  To follow along with the rest of her 7-day tour, please visit the “SPOTLIGHT” Author forum on the RRBC site and don’t forget to pick up a copy of her book above!  Lastly, we ask that you LIKE and SHARE this post, as well as the “SPOTLIGHT” Author page to your social media, to enhance Robbie’s support!

What did you think of Robbie’s poetry?  She’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

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DISCLAIMER:  Watch Nonnie Write! does not alter the writing of any guest who appears on this blog.  Material is posted exactly as it is submitted.

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• Tagged: "SPOTLIGHT" Author, Open A New Doot, Poetry, Rave Reviews Book Club, Robbie Cheadle, RRBC