Category: poetry

Climb Up

Chris Hall46 Comments

‘Climb up, climb up, you can do it,’ as they shouted. But she couldn’t hear them. She had fallen, tumbling and tumbling; it was very dark, damp and clammy. She’d been bruised and cut, as she moved around, carefully. She could see a little chink of light here in the cave and she clambered around and began to climb. Now it was lighter and warmer, and it wasn’t too far now. She could hear all of them shouting: ‘Come on, you can do it!’

she climbed, climbed again
as the rays of light shined out
and now, she’s here, phew!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Danial Burka @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a shadowy figure standing on a raised grassy plateau inside a cave. The top of this plateau is illuminated with rays of light coming from an opening at the top.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #254 photo prompt.

What do you see # 254 – September 16, 2024

The Luggage

Chris Hall55 Comments

she’s moving again
how many times, she’s lost count
where will she go next?

the custom manager
threw the rest of her things out
‘good riddance,’ he shouted

her method is the same
she will find another place
it’s a tradition

a man’s there.

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

Image credit: Bernhard @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows the view of a street where a stack of old luggage (suitcases) is piled one upon another, the lowest one resting on a wooden box. There’s a bicycle parked next to this pile, along a no parking sign.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #253 photo prompt.
Di’s Pensitivity101 – Monday’s Three Things Challenge: CUSTOM, TRADITION, METHOD

What do you see # 253- September 9, 2024
Three Things Challenge #M812

Ghosts and Dreams

Chris Hall77 Comments

she sits staring out
rain pitter-patters down, cold and grey
dismal, dank and damp

but inside she’s warm
reading a tatty old book
and what’s wrong with that?

the candle flickers
but there’s no ghosts here now
just peace and happiness

no misery here!

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

Image credit: Esra Korkmaz @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows an open book lying on a table near a window. There is a lit candle near the book on the table in a brass bowl. The pages of the book are yellowing with age. There are water droplets on the outside of the window pane.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #252 photo prompt.

What do you see # 252- September 2, 2024

I’m going in

Chris Hall47 Comments

Time to go in
as the huge doors beckon.
She has her cotton bag
and she’s on her last call.

She’s inside
and she’s confident.
She walks up the winding stairs,
wearing her professional face.

She disappears, and re-appears.

‘Order, Order!’
She’s the judge.

~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Richard Stachmann @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a woman standing on the sidewalk, near a door looking at her phone. There is a handbag in between her hand and a cloth bag hanging from her shoulder.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #251 photo prompt.

What do you see # 251- August 26, 2024

Walking Boots

Chris Hall55 Comments

will he walk a thousand miles
as he climbs around the sea
and will he walk another league as well?

his boots are big and magnificent
as he strides over mountains and lakes
and then the pinnacle arrives…

but what more can he achieve?

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

Image credit: Karsten Winegeart @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a pair of hiking boots suspended in the air. They both are facing in different directions and it seems as if they are worn on feet attached to invisible legs!

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #250 photo prompt.

What do you see # 250 – August 19, 2024

What a vista!

Chris Hall55 Comments

Walk up this beautiful alley
so fragrant, fulsome and vivid,
washed with umber and white-lime walls
as marigolds and cyclamens bloom.

The steps are worn and warm as well,
as we weave around the village,
and then eventually we’re here.
The vistas are magnificent;
we look out to see for many miles
and we wish we could stay forever.

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

Image credit: Sig- Sigmund @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a view of an alley where stairs lead up to a house. The stairs are decorated with planters where different flowers are flourishing. There is a huge vine hanging from the side wall. The whole look is of a well-used and aged home.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #249 photo prompt.

What do you see # 249- August 12, 2024

Enigma: Take Two

Chris Hall52 Comments

she’s gold or bronze, but never silver
she’s a lion or a cheetah, not a pussy
she will never get old
her beauty will never fade
she’s always flourishing
her hair hangs down her face
creeping down over her eyebrows
forehead glistening with grace
she’s gold or bronze, and never silver
and she’s mine, always.

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

Image credit: Engin Akyurt @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows the face of a woman, partly covered by her hair. Her visible face is covered in a glittery substance, her eyes are closed and there’s an enigmatic expression on her face.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #248 photo prompt.

What do you see # 248 – 5th August, 2024

Dear Lake

Chris Hall60 Comments

Dear Michigan, Lake Michigan
look out to see
(although, it is a lake)

it is huge and deep
wide and broad
and beautiful.

The man stares out
as the sun goes down
it disappears completely

but the waves and clouds
are still there
and then the moon appears.

She bathes in the moonlight
and the man stands up
as they dance together

and then, tomorrow
she’s gone, and he sits again;
Dear Michigan, come back… please.

~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Tom Barrett of artwork; sculpture by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a sculpture of a man, made by welding alphabets together. The sculpture is located at Atwater Park, overlooking the lake. In the distance, you can see the sun setting over the water and a cloudy sky.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #247 photo prompt.

What do you see # 247- 29 July, 2024

White Wolf

Chris Hall49 Comments

in the distance
light plays in the forest
huge trees stand tall
both close and far

the winter forest yearns
filled with mist and mystery
and then the wolf appears
she’s completely white

she turns around quickly
and she seems skittish
and then a moment later
she vanishes

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

Image credit: Marek Szturc @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a white wolf standing in a foggy forest, with white light illuminating it from behind.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #246 photo prompt.

What do you see # 246- July 22, 2024

Island in the Lake

Chris Hall53 Comments


She steps onto the jetty
its planks still moist with dew.
She tugs the mooring rope softly
and she draws the boat towards her.
She drops lightly into the boat
casts off, and slips away into the morning.
Her tiny island awaits:
just blissful.

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

Image credit: Unsplash+ in collaboration with Serene arches
(Sadje has purchased the membership of Unsplash+ so any image is permitted for this)

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a beautiful wooden rocking chair, placed on a small carpet. The setting is unusual as it is sat upon a three-tiered stone circle, beside a swamp / marsh.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #245 photo prompt.

What do you see # 245- 15th July, 2024