Roberta Writes – Thursday Doors Writing Challenge and Bridges #poetry #photography

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I am sharing two poems today. The first one is for a lovely digital art design by Teagan Geneviene who blogs here: https://teagansbooks.com/2025/05/08/thursdaydoors-tdwc-greatest-of-all-time/

The second photograph is provided by our host, Dan Antion. You can find all the doors for this writing challenge here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2025/

Picture caption: Picture of the inside of a modern caravan with a window to a past scene of caravanning.

Don’t believe everything you see

Don’t make assumptions about other people

What you see, or what you think you see

May not be accurate or complete

In fact, it might be totally deceptive

Don’t say to another “You are wealthy”

Without knowing what burdens they carry

Don’t assume someone is privileged

When you know nothing of their challenges

Don’t presume someone’s life is perfect

Without understanding their traumas

Some people chose to hide their pain

Don’t wear their hearts on their sleeves

Some people elect to make the most of life

Accepting that adversity is part of living

Some people play the cards they receive

Knowing the game includes a roll of the dice

So don’t make assumptions about other people

Because what you see is rarely the truth

It is merely what you want to believe is true

Picture caption: Two small sheep behind a slatted door

What’s That?

“Mom … Mom … What’s that animal?

I’ve never seen one like him before”

“Just a moment, children. I’m helping Granny”

“Mom … Mom … I think he likes us

He staring at us with lovely golden eyes”

“Okay, I’m nearly done. Give me a minute”

“Don’t worry, Mom. He’s leaving.

He’s walking back into the trees

Wait! Mom! He’s running towards the fence

I think he wants to visit us”

“It’s a lion! Run, children, run

He wants to make us his lunch”

Bridges

Lastly, here are a few bridges photographs from my trip to Amsterdam last year. These are for Dan’s CFFC: Bridges and Ferries challenge which you can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/2025/05/05/bridges-and-ferries-cffc/

Picture caption: Red and white stripped bridge across a canal in Amsterdam. There are houseboats to the right of the picture
Seven bridges sighting point on a canal in Amsterdam
A boat coming through an enclosed bridge on a canal in Amsterdam
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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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106 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Thursday Doors Writing Challenge and Bridges #poetry #photography”

    2. Thank you kindly, Dwight. I put so much work into “quilting” those pieces into one image… and I was never satisfied with it. LOL. I’ve been surprised, puzzled, and grateful all at once that it has been well received. I’m happy that you like it, and that it inspired Robbie. Hugs.

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        2. Hi, Dwight. I can’t find specifics on the station wagon. The source photo isn’t clear enough to make out the model name, but it’s 2 words. There’s a hood ornament (not visible in my picture) it’s horizontal and elongated, but again not a clear image. However, it’s from a 1957 photo (doesn’t mean the car was brand new in 1957 though) taken at the Jackson Lake Grand Teton Mountains, Wyoming USA. Cheers.

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  7. They are great poems and I especially appreciate the wisdom in the first poem. It is incredible how judgemental people can be and how often second guessing and assumptions is taken for truth. They mistake what they think for the truth. Smart people are more careful about passing judgement.

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  10. Two great poems, Robbie. The second made me giggle. And super photos of Amsterdam. I’m so sorry that I haven’t been, because it seems to be sanctioning visitors these days, and I don’t want to go where I’m not wanted.

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  11. It’s interesting to consider how other people see us. I have no idea. I do know that many people hide their troubles, while others exaggerate them.
    I especially like that second bridge photo. (K)

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    2. I have a good idea about how people see me, but they only see some things. I share more in poetry than in conversation and few people read my poems. I think I know a bit about you from your art and poetry as these are windows to the soul.

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    1. Yes, I am aware that many people make a lot of assumptions about me. They know nothing about my childhood or the health traumas with my family. Although this poem was about me, I see it everywhere, everyday, with others, even beggars are condemned without understanding.

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  15. Hi – loved the shots from Amsterdam – and also the wonderful opening about watching our assumptions – and how we need to all double check on “what you think you see” – so much simple sense and wisdom in that well written piece

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  20. It’s interesting where the first photo led you. Yes, we often make incorrect assumptions about people.

    I particularly like your second bridge photo. I always thought it would be fun to walk around Amsterdam.

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  21. My mother alwayd said that you never know what goes on behind someones front door and its true what you say we don’t know and can make correct assumptions…Two good poems again Robbie 🙂 xx

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  22. Dear Roberta
    Thanks for your beautiful pictures of Amsterdam, a city we love.
    Kb was working in Amsterdam for two years, living in a houseboat. It was romantic.
    With love from
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

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  25. The second one was straight out of a movie! But oh, that first one, got me. We are so one dimensional in our perceptions about others. I am only at the ripe old age of 64 beginning to realize what a disadvantage that is.

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    1. Thank you, Lauren. What’s that is they cycle of life. It was inspired by questions about the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve and why the lead male is tagged. It is to ensure that if they manage to jump the electric fence, they can be retrieved before they do damage to Community property and livestock.

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  28. Thia is a wonderful post, Robbie. You covered a lot of ground, hitting the TDWC and CFFC. Your first poem is such good and necessary advice. I wish I could make everyone read it. The second poem has a nice twist, I like those sheep, I hope they make it. The pictures from Amsterdam are beautiful. I love the colors in the first one.

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  30. Hi Robbie I love the wise words in your first poem …never judge things are never what they seem. …always hold your council.

    Those two photos you chose are so interesting .

    Yoyr second poem just shows how we should listen to our children often they have something of real value to say. We should always listen.

    Oh! I do love your Amsterdam photos … lovely post. 💜💜💜

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  33. Lovely post, Robbie. I love your pictures of Amsterdam, particularly seven bridges. Your poems are darling, especially the second one with the surprise ending. 🙂 xxx

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  38. There is great wisdom there: what we see is often what we want to see. We have to know that. The lamb conversation shows what can happen when we DON’T know what we see! Beautiful images from Amsterdam!

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