
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.
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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- Posted in: Uncategorized
- Tagged: "SPOTLIGHT" Author, Open A New Doot, Poetry, Rave Reviews Book Club, Robbie Cheadle, RRBC
Robbie, I loved your poem! What I loved most about it is your beautiful voice reading it. Thank you for being my guest at WATCH NONNIE WRITE! and I promise that I’ll be catching up with every single one of your stops!
I hope you’re enjoying your tour!
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Hi Nonnie, thank you, it is nice of you to compliment my voice. I am not very fond of how I sound so I appreciate the confidence boost. Thank you for hosting me and for organising this lovely event. I am very honoured to be here.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed yourself on tour, Robbie! You deserve all the sunshine there is to claim!
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I have only ever read classical poets we studied at school – now suddenly I am reading poetry and loving it. Thank you.
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Hi Barbara, I feel in love with poetry at school and I was always trying to write poems which I am sure were absolutely dreadful at the time. My favourite poems back then were The Listeners by Walter de la Mare and The Oxford Voice by DH Lawrence. We had to learn both by heart and I’ve never forgotten them.
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I find your poetry refreshing, and it was lovely to hear your lilting voice. This is a must-read for me! 🙂
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Thank you, Marian. I am glad you liked the Youtube videos. I thought they would be a bit different and make the posts more fun.
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I haven’t heard that poem before. It will stick with me.
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Hi Jacqui, I have never forgotten this woman and her child. I tried to help her as much as I could until she disappeared. I have several people I help with food and clothing on the street and through the church. My heart breaks for people in this situation.
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It’s random events like that that change us, isn’t it? I have a few like that in my past, situations that seemed small at the time but have never left me, formed who I am. I salute this one for you, Robbie.
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I was very moved by your poem and talking about the inspiration for it. Congratulations on this wonderful book, Robbie! Toni x
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Hi Toni, thank you, I still remember this woman and her child and I wonder what happened to them. Lockdown removes you from people and their lives and it is easy to forget what is out there and become closed off from it.
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a wonderful poem to share; such moving imagery.
I also liked that you shared what motivated you to write the poem…
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Hi Jim, thank you for visiting me here. I am glad you liked this poem. I shared the motivation because I always felt at school that perhaps the interpretations provided by our teachers were imposed on the poet and the poem. I like to explain my perspective and hear what other people take away from a piece.
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I felt the same way about poetry, always trying to figure out what it meant, and not always buying into what the teacher was saying. That’s why it is nice to hear directly from the poet…
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What a powerful poem. Congratulations Robbie.
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Thank you, Carla. I appreciate your reading it and I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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I was particuarly interested in Robbie’s comments about rhyming poetry. I think what puts editors in particular off rhyming poetry is either rhyming couplets in iamic pentameter or end rhymes that feel forced, neither of which is the case in her poignant poem “The Beggar’s Child.” The rhymes sound very natural
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Hi Liz, thank you for sharing your thoughts about rhyming poetry. I do not know nearly as much about poetry as you do, but what you’ve said does make sense to me. When rhyming is forced it can sound very out of sync.
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You’re welcome, Robbie. I’m going to start keeping an eye out for rhyming poetry in literary magazines, just out of curiosity.
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Hi Liz, if you see any rhyming poetry in literary magazines I would be most interested to know about it. It seems quite out of favour in the poetry world.
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Robbie, have a fabulous week on tour in the RRBC Spotlight!
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Hi Nonnie, that you very much. My apologies for the error, I really do need to check things more carefully. I do know this and I am trying to do it. I have your poetry book coming up on my kindle and am looking forward to reading it.
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Robbie, you created a vibrant visual with your heartfelt poem! I could see everything so clearly. I wish you luck on your tour and have put this on my tbr list. I’m sure it is a book to be savored. Thanks for hosting, Nonnie.
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Hi Maura Beth, thank you for visiting me here and for your lovely comment. I hope you enjoy the book when you get to it. I know all about TBR’s.
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Thanks, Maura Beth, for supporting Robbie!
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Congratulations on being the Spotlight author, Robbie. I loved your poetry book.
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Not many people take the time notice the homeless population. This is a beautiful poem, Robbie.
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Thanks for supporting Robbie, Jill!
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Hi Jill, it is interesting that you should say that because I always feel the homeless are invisible to many people. It is very sad and they certainly are very visible to me.
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I feel the same, Robbie.
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Congratulations all around, Robbie! Great to find you shining in the #RRBC Spotlight this month. Love your poetry–off to grab a copy… Shine on!
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Hi Bette, thank you very much for your lovely comment and support. It is very kind of Nonnie and team to offer me this honour and opportunity.
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Reblogged this on Pattys World.
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Thank you, Patty.
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Robbie, I’m not into poetry but enjoyed your two poems. Enjoy the rest of your tour. Thank you, Nonnie, for hosting.
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Thank you, John. My husband is not a poetry fan either but I sometimes feel moved to write a poem which shares an emotion I am experiencing at the time.
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Well, John, I suppose we can safely say that now “you’re into poetry!” Thanks for supporting Robbie!
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Reblogged this on Robbie's inspiration and commented:
Today I am over at Nonnie Writes for Day 1 of the RRBC Spotlight Author Blog Tour which features my poetry book, Open a new door. Nonnie is a great poet and writer as well as the leader of RRBC and RWISA. Do go over and take a look around.
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Hello Robbie. I love poetry that rhymes. Especially when it is cleverly written and is conveying a real deep message that resonates.
Congratulations!
Thanks Nonnie for hosting Robbie.
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Hi Shirley, I am glad you enjoyed this rhyming poem. I get very sad when I see women with children on the street and always try to help them as much as possible.
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Thanks for dropping by to support Robbie, Shirley!
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Reblogged this on PTL Perrin Writes… and commented:
Poetry like Roberta Eaton Cheadle’s poem, The Beggar’s Child, moves me like a tuneless song whose words create the rhyme and rhythm that speaks my heart’s language. Take a deep breath, and let her speak to you, too.
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Hi Patty, I am glad you enjoyed this poem, it is one of my favourites. Thank you for sharing it.
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I’m happy to share this, Robbie. Beautiful poetry! I now have the book on my Kindle.
Blessings!
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Thank you, Patty.
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Thanks for supporting Robbie, Patty!
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Hi, Robbie! What a beautiful poem! There is nothing frivolous about your rhyming poetry. Its powerful message came across loud and clear. What touched your heart now touched mine. Thank you, and thank you, Nonnie for sharing Robbie’s post.
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Congratulations on the spotlight, Robbie! Thanks for sharing the work of this talented poet, Nonnie.
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Karen.
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Thanks for dropping by with your support, Karen!
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Hi, Nonnie,
Could you correct this error I found in this blog? I have highlighted it in red.
Joy.
>
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Okay Nonnie, I thought my earlier comment went on your private feed. I was surprised to find it here. 😀. Anyway. I was touched by this poem. I could visualize the scene she created.
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Thank you, Joy. I’m glad you appreciated this poem. It is very sad to see children growing up on the street like this.
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Hi Joy, I see the series instead of serious. Thanks for pointing it out.
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Hi, Joy! Although I don’t see any item highlighted in red that you are referring to here in your comment but, I’m sorry, we do not alter, in any way, the posts that authors submit to us. That’s not our place to do so.
Thank you for dropping by!
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Good morning Nonnie. What a great way to start off my work week with you hosting a winner. Robbie, post is lovely. I have added this to my to read list. Fabulous. Thank you.
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Hi Rox, thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed this poem.
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Thanks for dropping by to support Robbie, Rox 🙂
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This is a beautiful poem, Robbie! You are gifted with the ability to write rhyming poems. I enjoyed your poems in the Sir Chocolate series, and I’m sure I’ll enjoy this book as well. Thanks for hosting, Nonnie! 🙂
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Hi Yvette, thank you for your comment. When I first started writing poetry, it was always rhyming verse as that is what we were taught at school and the type of poetry I had always read. I have expanded my horizons a bit subsequently and branched into other styles of poetry.
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Thanks for supporting Robbie today, Yvette 🙂
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