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Robbie’s Inspiration – Thursday Doors Writing Challenge: The flavour of ice #poetry #photography

Today’s poem contribution to Dan’s Thursday Doors Writing Challenge is inspired by a picture created by Teagan Geneviene. You can find Teagan’s wonderful blog and books here: https://teagansbooks.com/

You can join in Dan’s challenge here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2025/

Picture caption: Building constructed of ice of a shade of medium blue with a large door outside of which stand two penguins.

What’s your poison?

Ice; in shades of blue

Moulded to take the shape

Of human shelter needs

My fanciful mind fixates

On those cool colours

Reminiscent of blue flavoured sorbet

Is it blueberry or is it bubblegum?

Or is it an artificial creation

Carefully moulded to fulfil

Each human’s every desire?

What is your poison?

Is it flavoured with blue ice

And served by coated penguins?

Or is it merely a martini

Shaken not stirred?

During my recent trip to Pilanesberg National Park, I had my first sighting of Tsessebe antelope (can you say that? Haha). They have similar colouring to hartebeest.

Picture caption: Tsessebe grazing in the bushveld
Picture caption: Tsessebe resting in the bushveld
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Published by robbiesinspiration

South African author, photographer, and artist, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children's books, and written and illustrated four 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.

87 thoughts on “Robbie’s Inspiration – Thursday Doors Writing Challenge: The flavour of ice #poetry #photography”

  14. The photo of the ice building reminded me of the Ice Hotel in northern Sweden (Jukkasjärvi) but I can see that it is a different ice building. We stayed at the Ice Hotel in northern Sweden. Anyway, the poem is fun and a delight to read and I love learning about the wild life in Africa. I think I can say Tsessebe Antelope. I played it on Google translate in English and Afrikaans to make sure.

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  29. Dear, Robbie — thank you for linking back to my blog. I love the safe, whimsical, cooling vibe of your poem. (I’m not looking forward to summer desert heat…) The tsessebe (I wasn’t familiar with the species — lovely photos) look like they would be chilling with a cocktail too.
    Since you mentioned a martini, I found a new favorite last summer. It uses gin, lemon, “blue butterfly pea flower” tea (with a little sugar/syrup) (By the way, it’s rich in antioxidants, but has a fun unexpected property). The fun part about the blue tea — aside from being naturally bright blue is that when you mix it with lemon, it changes color.
    Anyhow, I love the poem and I’m happy that my image inspired you. Hugs.

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  32. I’m forever in awe of your journeys, Robbie. My goodness! I’ve never heard of a Tsessebe before your post. And I love your poem. Bravo! 🌞

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  35. Love the door response, Robbie, thank you!
    Now I do crave a blueberry ice shake!

    The Tsessebe is a beauty, as are your pics of him/her.
    More thank you’s!
    ❦🧊🫐

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      1. Interesting. It did have a visceral effect on me, as I was craving a blueberry ice.

        Question – Will all your door poem challenge responses be on this blog? Will any be on Roberta Writes?

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  36. I remember reading about special Ice Hotels… I’m not sure I could do that – Ice glasses, dishes… Nice verse. Thanks for sharing the images. I know some words in a different language that start with tz… so maybe ts isn’t that hard? 🙂

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