Category: poetry

A wee dram

Chris Hall52 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

Ah whisky, shall I have a little dram?
Beautifully mellow – amber, tangerine, and maybe musk
Come with me – it’s a journey
Deep into the highlands

Every step you’ll take
Fading in the mist
Granite unmoved
Hiding in full view

Isle of Skye, gorgeous land, so pure
Just be… spread your wings
Kites are wheeling in the mountains
Lovely place… just breathe

Morning air is fresh
No problem
Open the door, then go
Paddling in the sea

Quite bracing, but still nice
Rather good to eat outside
Six o’clock is here
Talisker awaits

Unicorns speak:
Victor, Wellington, Xena, Yasmine and Zacharia
🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄

(100 words)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

Daydreamer

Chris Hall60 Comments

he’s daydreaming
and there’s nothing wrong with that
he shakes his head
but he’s as bright as a button

you’d see him walking around
doing a handstand if he wanted to
but mostly he would sit in the middle
watching the bridge
and contemplating

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Антон Воробьев @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a small grey figurine sitting on the railing of a bridge. There’s a wistful expression on his face. He has a beard and mustache and on his head a lock of curly hair.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #281 photo prompt.

What do you see # 281- 24th March, 2025

Cherries🍒

Chris Hall65 Comments

ahh cherry blossoms
beautiful and lingering
known as sakura

flowers are dainty
while trees are magnificent
both together is hope

but meanwhile something else is happening:

cherries are blushing
bountiful and delicious
how many can we eat?

these are so sweet
more than delightful!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Redd Francisco @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a lot of cherry trees in blossom. There is a body of water in front of the trees that is reflecting the image, upside down.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #280 photo prompt.

What do you see # 280- 17th March, 2025

Just the two of them

Chris Hall48 Comments

she’s a pretty girl, isn’t she
just like her dad too
they walk along the beach
just the two of them

it’s warm and mellow
only a little breeze
which wafts merrily over the sea

just waves and waves
rolling back and forward
ceaselessly

~~~~

Image credit: Mohamed Awwam @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a man holding a baby up in the air. In the background we see the sun breaking through the clouds over the sea!

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #279 photo prompt.

What do you see #279- 10 March’ 2025

He’s big!

Chris Hall55 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

Wow, he’s big
and beautiful,
regal too.

Staring out
on the gate,
what’s he thinking?

He’s hardly moving,
what’s going on
in his mind? (anything?)

I’m getting closer,
can I pet him??
ah – he’s purring!

That’s enough though.
He climbs down,
walking with purpose.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

Sleeping Beauty

Chris Hall45 Comments

She was slumbering, peacefully, for a long, long time. Will she open her eyes? Not yet. She was fine for the autumn, turning this way and that, making herself more comfortable. Then it turned to the wintery time. It was darker and colder, frigid and stark. She hunkered down, keeping herself warm, as she delved down. Slowly, slowly the winter passed, and suddenly… it was spring! She opened her eyes and looked out.

hey, little squirrel
lovely to see you again
here’s some nuts; enjoy!

…

Squirrels take all sorts of things for their nests, including bits of newspaper and magazines. It kind of reminded me about this photo, so I used it for my prose/poem.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Стас Кадрулев @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a woman, her head resting in an aperture of a rock. Her eyes are closed and she appears to be sleeping.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #278 photo prompt

What do you see # 278- 3rd March’ 25

The Dunes

Chris Hall49 Comments

it’s bleak
no sign of life
it’s stark
and yet, the colours are magnificent

it glares white
livid, and burning beneath
and yet, it’s beautiful

huge dunes rise up
is there anyone there?
but there’s no-one
so do we know whether the dunes move?

~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Felipe Labate @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows black/ brown trees growing in a desert valley and the brown sand dunes can be seen in the background.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #277 photo prompt

What do you see # 277- February 24,2025

She’s wistful

Chris Hall50 Comments

hello
a new day
she is wistful
yet another tiny tot
will she be healthy and strong, this little one?
it’s Lily – that’s right, it’s your name, Lily
she holds her so very close
yearning, desperately
loving her
forever
~

Image credit: Leandra Rieger @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a mama orangutan with a baby held very close to her chest.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #276 photo prompt.

What do you see # 276- 17 February’ 25

another nonsense one

Chris Hall56 Comments

there are many things
it can be very pleasant
but not my last name

please don’t mention ‘Hall’
and now don’t get my into
so many issues

it’s just a bit odd
so let me be calm, and breathe
incense, lingering

that’s much better

~~~
PS – my last name, Hall, sounds very similar to the word ‘hol’ in Afrikaans, and it’s rather rude.
Let’s just say it’s called ‘bottom’.
~~~

Image credit: Bilal Karim @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this is an image of a signboard. On the sign it says; I love you because…. The letters are lit in red colour.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #275 photo prompt.

Also Di of Pensitivity 101 – Monday Three Things Challenge: HALL, ISSUE, INCENSE

What do you see # 275- 10th February’ 25
Three Things Challenge #M966

What do you call it?

Chris Hall42 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

I enter the room, not much there
I see a broom… or maybe, call it a brush?

I would much rather have an easel here

I’ll use a big, big brush to paint
and using many colours

and of course
it’ll be totally abstract!

my husband – the artist

~~~~

Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.