Roberta Writes – TDWC26, W3, and The Flower Hour

TDWC26, The Flower Hour, W3 1 Minute

My poem for W3 (which is two days late) was inspired by two photographs from Dan’s TDWC26 as follows:

Picture caption: This building appears to me to have many doors which my mind interpreted as many relationships in life. The photograph was contributed by Dan Antion.

Alone (freestyle poem)

We walk alone

navigating our way

up hills, over obstacles, down slopes

Sometimes, we walk with another

a lover, friend, family member,

even a group

These periods of companionship

often bring great happiness

But, every life phase has an ending

Someone’s life must be shattered

Someone must suffer pain

Someone must be left behind

It’s best to acknowledge that ultimately

we walk our paths alone

Picture caption: My mind interpreted this single door standing alone as a solitary person – the one left behind to go on alone. This photograph was contributed by Lois.

You can join in Dan Antion’s Thursday Doors Writing Challenge here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2026/

You can read other poet’s W3 contributions here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2026/05/13/w3-prompt-211-weave-written-weekly/

The Flower Hour

Three photographs of my late autumn garden for Terri’s The Flower Hour which you can join in here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/05/19/the-flower-hour-31-local-lilacs-and-lupine/

Tiny flowers growing in a crack between the rocks
Late autumn bougainvillea against yellow autumn leaves
The aloe tree is full of flowers this year
A single red rose

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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95 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – TDWC26, W3, and The Flower Hour”

  4. Robbie, your poetry has an authenticity and honesty. I think one of the hardest truths in life is recognizing that while companionship can bring us joy and comfort, there are parts of every journey that we must ultimately face alone. What touched me in your poem is that it acknowledges both sides of life. The happiness of walking with others for a time, and the pain of loss and endings that come with being human. That is not an easy truth, but it is a real one. Your poem reminds me that even when our individual paths are our own, we still recognize ourselves in one another’s experiences.

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  5. Robbie, your poem hit me right in the heart. I got goosebumps as I read. Never were truer words written. Your late autumn garden is still so pretty. I’m sure your days will finally cool down now. 💕

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  7. Interesting you tied the night scene with multiple doors to the start of your poem and the single door to “nowhere” to the ending. nicely done. Bernie

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  11. A beautiful and poignant poem, especially the last phrase “It’s best to acknowledge that ultimately we walk our paths alone”. It is especially true today when most of move around all over the world, change jobs, and family is scattered.

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      1. Yes you are right. My parents are dead. My mother died from cancer at the age of 56, so that was fairly young. Both our boys went to college and moved on with their lives. However, we visit our oldest son a lot because of our grandchild. Our daughter lives at home with us. And Rollo our dog lives with us. We live pretty close to my wife’s parents so we are there every day.

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  14. Very poignant poem. Most of us through society’s expectation or human nature aspire to find a life partner and probably a family, so we don’t expect to be alone, but it will happen.

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  16. Even if “walking alone” may be interpreted as “a dark turn,” it isn’t necessarily. Many times, walking along brings us to a truth–although others may accompany us throughout many hours and decades of our lives, at times, we indeed “walk alone.” Yet if we are believers, always our Lord walks with us–even when we may not feel that presence. Thank you, again, Robbie, for sharing this sensitive reflection. (BTW, even if it’s a comedy, this reflection fits my character Charli’s realization, too.

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    1. Hi Lindsey, thank you for stopping by and for your insightful comment. What you say is true for believers. Our human companions are, however, temporary. I am gradually coming to terms with this concept as my parents age.

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  22. Beautiful and very thoughtful poetry. You have aloe trees? We have aloe plants, succulents that grow close to the ground – not in Alaska, but in the lower 48.

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    1. Yes, this is what Wikipedia says: The Tree Aloe (Aloidendron barberae, formerly Aloe bainesii) is a large, architectural succulent native to South Africa, known for its tall, branching trunk and rosette of long, bluish-green leaves, making it a striking feature in water-wise gardens. It produces vibrant, nectar-rich, pink-to-orange flowers in winter, attracting birds and pollinators, and is drought-tolerant, hardy, and low-maintenance once established, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil.

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  28. Funny how we all see something different in the same image. I saw the plants and boulevard thinking of growing things and walking. I am not a poet though. I enjoyed yours and how it connected to both images, Robbie.

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  31. Love you door interpretations and the subsequent writing. Excellent, Robbie!

    Wow, what a great garden you have, and that big pink flower is stunning. Thank you!

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  33. You are right, of course: we often walk with others, and we are grateful for them, but ultimately we walk alone. Your lone red rose is a beautiful illustration!

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