Author: rugby843

I am a widow since 2013 and live by myself in a small apartment. I use a wheelchair to get around, but I wouldn't consider myself disabled. I'm 11 years away from having bladder cancer resulting in a urostomy and I'm doing well. This cancer was a result of having radiation in 1995 because of uterine cancer. So have faith in yourself, a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. My first try at blogging was an attempt to help other people with my condition. I am a mother of three married children, and a grandmother to eight gorgeous kids, featuring them often here, and a great grandmother to two as of today, 6/7/25! I enjoy exploring my feelings and like to try the challenges. I like humor, music, movies, games, and some sports. I absolutely appreciate your reading and commenting on my blog. I am happy to read all of your blogs and learn more about you. Please comment however you like, ask whatever, and I'll answer honestly. Thanks for reading! Cheryl

The Writer’s Workshop

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized
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If it’s raining outside the best thing I like to do is write, or read, cozy up in a blanket with a hot cup of anything. I don’t mind the cloudy days as long as sunny ones dominate. In my part of the world right now, it happens to be raining, it’s cooler and autumn is upon me. I have spent the morning writing and reading. Now I’m fixing lunch and will watch a tv series. I’m binge watching since my signup for this streaming ends quickly!

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This Week’s Writer’s Workshop Prompts: September 25, 2025

dVerse Poets

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized

First things first: what is a quadrille? It is
* a form of poetry created by dVerse
* a poem of exactly 44 words, sans title
* the body of the poem must include one particular word (or a form of the word) provided within the prompt
* a synonym for the given word does NOT fulfill the prompt

Have you guessed it? The word to be included in your Quadrille today is “petals” – or you may use a form of the word as in petal, or, if you use poetic license, petalicious!

New to dVerse?  Need to be refreshed on the rules? Here’s what to do:

  • Write a quadrille (a poem of EXACTLY 44 words, not including the title) AND include the word “petals” or a form of the word within the body of the poem. A synonym for petals does not fulfill the prompt. It must be the word, or a form of the word.
  • Post the poem to your blog AND add the exact URL for your poem to Mr. Linky below.

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The softness of your outstretched leaf
Curling slightly at its edge
Teasing silver stems to lengthen their stalks
Shy newborn petals hide in conical forms
Waiting for the summer sun
Til warm enough to venture out
Pink rose petals bring forth familiar scents
Lovely

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Peonies? Lily-of-the-Valley? Pick your posey!

“Your Slip is Showing”

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized
From the bleached blonde hair to the fake Jimmy Choo shoes, it was all lies. He found this out on their first night together. It was their honeymoon and they decided to “save themselves” till they were married, which in this case was a mistake. As he readied himself for bed he caught a glimpse of her in the mirror that reflected the interior of the bathroom. She had insisted on him keeping the lights out. He watched mesmerized by the transformation from pretty woman to the witch of Endor. Off came the blonde wig, the tape to hold her sagging jowls, the bra that had worked miracles, and the Lycra body suit letting all flop and sag. He quickly grabbed his clothes and took the nearest train to a different location. The sight of her reminded him of Melisandre in Game of Thrones!

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Fandango’s Story Starter #218

Tanka Tuesday

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized

Hello, beautiful poets! It’s Yvette again, and I’m excited to create poetry with you all this week. On this day, in 1846, Neptune was discovered. It is also the day that Nintendo was founded (1889). In 1932, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was official founded. And in 2019, Greta Thunberg delivered her powerful “How Dare You!” speech at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York. Each of these moments impacted a community, a country, and/or the world on just one day.

So, for this week, I thought we would focus on how impactful one day can be. Choose any syllabic form that you’d like. You can see a great list here if you need inspiration. For an extra challenge, try to add a kigo word connected to your current season.

  • Write a syllabic poem using a syllabic form from the forms list HERE. Focus on how impactful one day can be. For an extra challenge, try to add a kigo word connected to your current season.  If you write a freestyle poem, you must include a syllabic form with it.
  • #TankaTuesday does not accept AI-generated poetry. 
  • Post your poem on your personal site/blog.
  • Include a link back to TankaTuesday.com in your post.
  • Copy the link of your published post into Mr. Linky. There are no recaps this year. 
  • Remember to click the small checkbox about data protection.
  • Read and comment on some of your fellow poets’ work.
  • Like and leave a comment below if you choose to do so.
  • This challenge closes on the following Monday at noon EST, Detroit, USA.
  • Have fun! 

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Sorrow

Historical deaths

Remembering 9/11

All still mourn

Tragedy sadly changed nothing

Families only memoirs

Gloomful

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Cameo – 7 lines, unrhymed, 2,5,8,3,8,7,2 – lines have strong ending words

TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 31, Just One Day, 09/23/25