Open a new door, a collection of poems
BLOG POST:
My mind’s eye is a freestyle poem. I fell in love with freestyle poetry through reading the poems of a good blogging friend of mine. Prior to reading hers, I had never attempted this form of poetry although it is popular. Freestyle poetry is free from the limitations of regular meter or rhythm, but not completely, as it still needs to have a musical flow.
About My mind’s eye
I wrote this poem in response to a discussion with my circle of friends about whether any of us would change anything in our lives if we could go back. I have this discussion some thought subsequently and concluded that, although everything in my life is not perfect and I have my ups and downs like everybody else, my life is good enough. I would not change it as who knows what unexpected knock-on effects such change would result in.
My mind’s eye
I reflect on my life
through my mind’s eye
Inspecting
Seeking
I open secret drawers
rummaging through
their hidden contents.
My childhood
A time of happiness
Innocence
and laughter.
My teenage years
I gently probe
Pulling out memories
Like old clothes
from the cupboard of time.
I run my eye over them
looking for rents,
tears and wrinkles.
Choices that impacted
on the elastic band of my life
liked pulled threads.
My eye moves on
My early twenties
Books, university and classes,
career decisions,
boyfriends and jobs.
Time then seemed stretched
Passing slowly
Each moment full and rich.
My wedding
A wonderful day
Happiness so evident
It lies like a fog blanket
over these memories.
Buying our home,
Building our careers,
and then
our babies
those perfect little beings.
Time speeds up
the elastic band
pulls tight
almost seeming to double back on itself.
I close my mind’s eye
A sigh of relief escapes my lips
There is nothing I would change
Everything is as it should be.
BOOK BLURB:
Open a New Door is a poetic peep into the life of poet, Robbie Cheadle, who lives 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 the poet’s 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
AUTHOR BIO:
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.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Robbie Cheadle
Thank you for dropping by to support Robbie 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!
Shirley Harris-Slaughter 
Nicely done, Robbie. You have expressed so adroitly, what many of us feel when it comes to our past.
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I like this one too, Robbie. I think your reading these poems brings them to life. I could feel a whole life’s story told in this one. Great Job! Thank you, Shirley, for hosting her.
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Beautiful poem and so true. I often wonder what would have happened if I’d decided something different but, who knows? Thanks for featuring Robbie’s poem, Shirley. I read her blog regularly, and she’s multitalented and skilled at all she does. ♥
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Olganm it’s nice to meet you and thank you for adding to the conversation.
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Hi Olga, thank you for visiting me here. It is interesting to wonder how your life would have been if you’d made different choices along the way. Thank you also for your kind comment.
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the great circle of life…
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Exactly, Jim.
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This was wonderful, Robbie! It’s something I could totally relate to – I wouldn’t change a thing.
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I think it shows that you are contented with your life, Teri, if you wouldn’t change anything.
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Shirley, thank you for hosting Robbie on her tour. Robbie, your book sounds wonderful, and I enjoyed reading your sample poems. Good luck with your tour and your book!
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Maurabeth you are so welcome and thanks for always being so supportive.
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Thank you, Maura Beth.
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Thank you, Shirley, for hosting Robbie. 🙂
I have read her poetry collection co-authored with Kim Blades and posted a 5-star review: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2551UYTYJHVNM/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv
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Marian, I appreciate you sharing your in-depth review of Robbie’s book. It really sheds a light on her writing style and now I have to add it to my TBR list. Thank you for supporting Robbie and sharing your thoughts.
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Thank you, Shirley
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Hi Marian, thank you for all your support and for sharing your lovely review here. I appreciate it.
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A lovely poem and reading, Robbie. Everything in life adds up to the present moment.
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Hi Norah, you have expressed it beautifully. That is exactly how it is.
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I often muse on that fact. 🙂
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There are some beautiful lines in this poem, Robbie–“Choices that impacted on the elastic band of my life”. Perfect way to say it.
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Hi Jacqui, thank you for visiting me here. I am glad you liked that line. life does feel like that to me, it expands and contracts and gets pulled threads and sometimes, a little frayed around the edges.
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I’m so glad to see (and hear!) a poem from you in free verse. I love the use of metaphor, and it’s always refreshing to read of a life with no major regrets.
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Hi Liz, I am very fortunate, I have no regrets. I am happy with my choices and my life has changed and evolved over time. Work has never been my only interest, I’ve always had other intense interests and these have changed over time from cycling, teaching spinning in the gym, teaching at Sunday School, baking, art and now writing. I find it fulfilling.
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Having interests outside of our work is critically important!
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Lots of people don’t have other interests, Liz. Their lives are all about their day jobs. I have always had a lot of interests. This is why I didn’t want to be a partner in my firm, to much admin and to much extra demanded. I still work long hours but at least they are generally interesting long hours.
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I went down the workaholic road for a number of years. I ended up in a very bad place. But I learned my lesson!
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Another beautiful poem and reading from your collection, Robbie! Sharing and looking forward to more of your wonderful imagery throughout the collection! Thanks of putting our multi-talented Robbie Cheadle in the #RRBC Spotlight on your blog, Shirley!
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Bette, thank you for being here.
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My pleasure, Shirley!
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HI Bette, thank you for your lovely comment and for all your support throughout this tour. I really appreciate it.
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Very nice ending with the affirmation that everything is as it should be.
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Hi Frank, so lovely to see you here. I am so pleased you enjoyed this poem.
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Definitely one of my favorites, Robbie. I really enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing.
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Hi Jill, thank you, I am interested to know that. This one is more personal and relates directly to my daily life. My favourite poem is the last one in this 7-day series which is about my son.
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Great to see Robbie featured, with her powerful poems.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hi Pete, thank you for visiting me here. I appreciate all your support of my tour.
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Congtratulations, Robbie. Thanks to Shirley for hosting you today. Enjoyed your reading.
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Hi John. Glad to see you here. Thanks for dropping by today.
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😁
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Hi John, thank you for listening to my poem. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Have a lovely new week.
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You are entertaining and informative at the same time, a true talent, indeed! I always look forward to seeing what you are up to. Pretty soon, you’ll have to open your own bookstore! That would be keen.
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Hi Annette, thank you for listening and for your lovely comment. I am delighted you’ve enjoyed these poems and thank you for your support. Hugs.
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Reblogged this on Robbie's inspiration and commented:
Thank you to talented author Shirley Harris-Slaughter for hosting me for Day 6 of the RRBC March Spotlight Author Blog Tour. I shared a reading of a freestyle poem called My Mind’s Eye for this post. Do have a look around Shirley’s lovely blog while you are then and check out her books too.
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I might not change my life, Robbie, but I’d like to do over a few choices. Beautiful poem! Thanks for hosting, Shirley.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts Linda.
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Hi LInda, this really is quite an interesting idea to reflect on. I also can think of a few choices I’ve made that could have been better, but on the whole, I’m happy with my life and always think it could have turned out worse if I’d made any different choices.
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Linda, the poem seems to give a reflection of Robbie’s life, charting the paths she has taken. Am I right Robbie?
Thank you Linda for your support.
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Welcome.
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I can relate to this poem, Robbie! Thank you for hosting, Shirley!
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Glad you stopped by Miriam.
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You’re welcome, Shirley.
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Hi Miriam, yes, I think you can understand why I wouldn’t want to change anything, even the not so nice things. The overall outcome has made me happy so I’d rather live with the bad choices further back in my life.
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Thank you, Shirley, for hosting Robbie’s blog tour. I’ve followed the blog tour and have really enjoyed learning more about Robbie and listening to her read her poems. You’ve inspired me, Robbie, with your various formats of poetry.
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Hi Linnea. Nice to hear your thoughts on Robbie’s poem. Thanks for stopping by.
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Hi Linnea, I am really pleased to hear that you are inspired by the different formats of poetry. I have learned so much from fellow poet bloggers about different formats and it has really expanded my poetry writing horizons. I’m glad I can share a little about what I’ve learned.
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Hi Robbie, Hi Shirley,
Robbie, I love this one very much. It reminds me of what I have personally done myself. Looking back, I know I wouldn’t change a thing. Through all, God has been good to me in so many ways and I have learned through my experiences whether good or bad. They have taught me much.
Shirley, thank you so much for hosting Robbie on your blog.
I wish you both a lovely weekend.
Shalom aleichem
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Hi Pat. Thanks for stopping by and adding to the conversation.
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Hi Pat, you have expressed exactly what this poem meant to me very well here. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Have a lovely evening.
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Hi Shirley, thank you so much for hosting me today. It is appreciated. Have a lovely afternoon.
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Beautiful Robbie. I agree about not changing a thing!
Thanks for hosting, Shirley.
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Hi Denise, thank you, I have often thought about the implications of changing things in my life and the possible loss of all I hold dear definitely outweighs any benefits I might gain from the use of hindsight.
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You are welcome Denise.
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Glad you stopped by Yvette.
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What a beautiful poem, Robbie! I could relate so much to it. Thanks for hosting today, Shirley! 🙂
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I’m glad you enjoyed this poem, Yvette. I have just watched Eyes on the Book and you were great.
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Thank you so much, Robbie! I’m so happy to hear that because I always feel awkward when all eyes are on me. LOL! 🙂
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Welcome Robbie. Enjoy your tour!
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