That old door

Chris HallLeave a comment


That Old Door

It’s an interesting door, you said?
I did.
But what do you think about it?
Well, it’s old, obviously.
Yes, go on.
It’s a bit creaky too.
Indeed.

It looks a bit like, hmm…
What?
A Christmas tree, don’t you think?
I see what you’re saying.
And yes, it’s funny.
Definitely!

Will we be able to go in?
Let’s find out.

So they waited and waited for ages.
But sadly no-one was in.
Oh, such a shame, don’t you think?
Still, we’ll try again sometime.
Ah yes, we will!

So off they go, and smiling happily…

~~~

Image credit: Istiaque Hossain @ Pexels

It is a monochrome photo of an old door. There is a simple pattern of wooden planks on the door- creating triangles! The wall on which it’s fixed isn’t in good repair. There are signs of fungus around the lower part of the wall.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #353 photo prompt.

What do you see # 353- 10 August, 2026

Yet another nonsense poem

Chris Hall30 Comments


aha, I am here
as I muttered to myself
as I almost stopped
I knew I’d forgotten something
but what was it I wondered

I was half way now
on this pretty hump-backed bridge
but it’s bugging me
it was bugging me so much
as I dithered, and dithered

so what was it then?
as I stared at the river
but no clue was there
so should I go back, or not?
but no, let’s go, well why not!

~~~

Melissa, from Mom With a Blog, is our host this week at #TankaTuesday, and she asks us to write about forgetting things.

Crimson’s Creative Challenge #098

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 75, Oops, I forgot! 8/5/26

That great river…

Chris Hall59 Comments

Photo Prompt © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

It’s a great river. I stand by the sturdy railings, looking out near to the ocean. It’s warm, as I continued to stare out.

But things had been less pleasant then. I remember some of that. Parts had disappeared.
And I’m grateful for that.

It had been an art exhibition. Some little random talking, and rather too much champagne.
An older man brought me out by the railings, and he hoisted me up.
He smiled in an odd way.
I’d realised what was happening. But it was too late by then.
.
.
.
Still, I have a daughter now.
Pretty, isn’t she.

~~~

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
Genre: Truthful Fiction
Word Count: 100

7 August 2026

Some poetry, perhaps… (Tales from the SSC&B)

Chris Hall40 Comments

William Bereza on Unsplash

The red-headed writer (aka la Raconteuse) grinned happily as she and Aurelia sat together in that excellent booth, the one where la Raconteuse preferred, they had continued to work, her on her laptop, and Aurelia on her bells and whistles smartphone, and they felt that both of them had achieved quite a lot already.

“That’s good, isn’t it,” said la Raconteuse, “I’ve lots of little silly stories and some poems, and a couple are okay, I think, but, you, lovely Aurelia, you have many fantastic ones and much more as well.”

“But I do have a problem though, and I’m wondering if you can help me, dear Aurelia, you see, I think I need to archive some of my emails and photos, there’re too many on this rather old laptop.”

“Not a prob,” smiled Aurelia, “it’ll only take a jiffy, or I could give you the steps to do it, if you prefer?” – “oh no, you do it, please!”

“Oh, excellent,” grinned la Raconteuse, as she stooped down to massage one of her feet, “you know, my foot arch is still sore even though my lovely new trainers are very comfy, you remember when I slipped when I first saw you,” as she grinned again.

“Anyway, let’s go to the bar just now,” as they began to walk; “gosh,” muttered la Raconteuse, “look, it’s Frank, Lou and the tall, thin man, they’re talking nonsense again, at least us two, plus Mimi and Denise, we’ve many useful conversations, don’t we think?”

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: ACHIEVE, ARCHIVE, ARCH

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: SLIP

More #SixSentenceStories

Burning books?

Chris Hall49 Comments

Burning books?
Surely not?
Well, why not?

No, you’re crazy… really crazy,
and heaven forbid.
Just don’t do it.

But, again, why not?
There’s no value in these,
so what’s the point?

But, but…
But what can I say?
It’s, well, just wrong.
In fact, I’m thinking you’re deranged.

I know what you’re saying,
but at least we can use those books
to make part of our fire.

Now what are you thinking?
I’m thinking you might be… well, right!

~~~

Image credit: Ebahir @ Unsplash

This image shows a table top with a glass of a drink, probably juice or cold coffee, and a few open books, one of which is either in Persian or Arabic.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #352 photo prompt.

What do you see # 352- 3 August, 2026

It’s up there…

Chris Hall31 Comments

“I can just reach it, well almost. Why don’t you try… you’re a little taller than me, aren’t you?”
“Ah, that’s it.”
“Oops, don’t drop it.”
“Impressive, isn’t it?”

“Now give it to me. I am going to open it. And smell it. Hmm, seems fine. So, another sniff… mm, I’m liking this.”

“You don’t want to smell it?”
“Thanks, but no.”
“But you do want to stay with me, don’t you?”
“Sure, of course.”
“Well, phew!”

“Now it’s time to have a little sip. Luckily I can tip it up with both hands. And slowly too.”

“Wow. That’s strong. It’s certainly an interesting aroma.”
“Hmm, is it nice?”

“Well, I will have another tiny sip. Just to make sure. It’s certainly warming.
“And that’s a good thing?”
“Sure. Now, another shot…, definitely nice now. Are you sure you don’t want some…? Oh well, all for me. Glug, glug, hic!”

~~~

150 words

Crimson’s Creative Challenge #097

Under the ground

Chris Hall54 Comments

Photo Prompt © Sandra Crook

Under the ground

“You said it’s a secret?”
“Hush, don’t make so much noise.”

“But what is it?
“It’s something down there.”

“All right, what are we going to do?”
“We’re going to burrow down.”

“It’s a new place, at least.”
“It’ll be fine, and it smells okay.”

“Right then. Time to dig.”

Sometime later, the two of them had stopped.

“We’re there.”
“Indeed.”

“Do you want to go first?”
“Oh no. After you.. but of course.”

“Okay, I am going in.”
“I’m right behind you.”

“Wow!”
“It’s huge!”

“Time for a little cuddle for us.”
“Ah yes. A new brood, and soon.”

~~~
🐇🐇

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
Genre:  Literary Fiction
Word Count: 100

31 July 2026

Back in the Café and Bistro… (Tales from the SSC&B)

Chris Hall51 Comments

William Bereza on Unsplash

The red-headed writer (aka la Raconteuse) was more than relieved, she had sat down at the pleasant table not far from the bar and by Frank, the tall, thin man and Lou, and all of them were talking about various things, including that strange voice which no one could see.

But la Raconteuse was already rather restless since she had not been able to write for far too long; she quickly arranged all her stuff in her big red bag, then she stood up (carefully), and walked to the bar, right by one of her best friends, Denise aka the Bartender.

“You’ve been busy for a while, haven’t you,” grinned Denise as she put the coffees and cakes on a long tray, “do you want some of this as well?” – “very much so,” said la Raconteuse, “although I would rather go back to my usual booth,” – “not a problem,” said Denise, “I’ll join you for a bit.”

So, Denise and the red-headed writer had a great gassing time; they grinned, they laughed and, well, what a riot they had, as they made many jokes and schemes.

But then Denise had to go back to the bar, and the red-headed writer was back to her nonsense writing very tall tales and many spinning yarns.

A little later, la Raconteuse looked up, she muttered to herself, and said, that must be the pretty young woman who Denise mentioned in passing, I’m sure she’s a poet, I’ll have to meet her, and soon!

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: RESTLESS, RIOT, RANGE

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: YARN

More #SixSentenceStories

Trees are poems

Chris Hall58 Comments


I do like this park,
it’s peaceful and gladdening.
I often sit here
and look up at those great trees,
where birds are all around there.

“Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky.”

Shall I write today?
I have my notebook and pen,
but it seems too hard;
so I’ll just look up again
and enjoy the lovely day.

— Khalil Gibran


Image credit: Shan Ali @ Pexels

In this image, we can see a park with wooden benches installed at regular intervals. There are tall green leafy trees all around, and the ground is covered with grass. A walking track is passing in front of the benches.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #351 photo prompt.

What do you see # 351- 27 July, 2026

Those koi, again

Chris Hall42 Comments

“Not so coy koi, or maybe a daydream.”

I walked around a pleasant park. I often go there. I love to stroll by trees, bushes and colourful flowers, the scent is always magnificent. There are bugs, bees and birds, so much to look at, and maybe take a few photos with my phone; but my favourite part is the beautiful pond where those not so coy carp, or rather those koi (like from Japan) would bubble up and ask for food – and I can.

Then often I would sit, or even lie down, to continue to watch them, and maybe have a daydream or two. And then I might pull out a notebook and a pen to write a little poem.

dream, dream and enjoy
a delightful day in spring
what could be better?

~~~

This week for #TankaTuesday, Yvette asked us to write a poem about a dream that came true or a dream that fell apart.

Crimson’s Creative Challenge #096

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 74, Oh, to Dream! 7/21/26