An open road
so many possibilities
but without you
I have no direction.
The way ahead
beckons
but without you
I am lost.
We always trod
life’s path together
but now, without you
I don’t know which way to turn.
~~~~~~~~
Image credit: Free photo
The image shows a winding road, overhung by branches of a big tree. You can see greenery on both sides of the road and wildflowers.
Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #135 photo prompt
In those days
when young and impressionable
I pinned my heart and hopes
on false promises
delivered by your silken tongue.
On that day
in the heat of the moment
I was carried away
in rumpled sheets
transported by your touch.
Alas, those champagne dreams
were soon shattered.
You stole a little piece of me
all that’s left
a bitter-sweet memory
a broken reflection.
~~~~~~~~
Image credit: Amine M’Siouri @ Pexels
The image shows a person holding a piece of broken mirror in which their face is partially reflected.
Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #134 photo prompt
living here
in the same building
you don’t stop
we don’t talk
torment lurks within my soul
you just don’t see it
sitting here
alone on the stairs
you’re aware
of my gaze
sorrow lies behind these eyes
you just won’t see it
existing
in separate worlds
minds don’t meet
hearts don’t open
but then, behind the façade
I see your sadness
~~~~~~~~
Image credit: Caleb Williams @ Unsplash
The image shows shows a well-dressed young man of African descent sitting on stairs. His hands are gripping the railing and he is staring intently at the camera.
Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #132 photo prompt
our night-time terrors
evaporate with the dew
dispersed by the sun’s first pink rays
greet the day
with sweet voices raised
welcome in the dawn
each new day
let’s summon the sun
with a song
~~~~~~~~
Image credit: Ben White @ Unsplash
The image shows two young girls standing outdoors looking at a book which both of them are holding jointly.
Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #131 photo prompt
It was such a thrill to feature in Robbie Cheadle‘s wonderful ‘Treasuring Poetry’ slot this week, hosted by Kaye Lynne Booth on her blog. Thank you, Robbie and Kaye!
Today, I am delighted to host poet and author, Chris Hall. Like me, Chris is UK born and South Africa is her adopted country. We both love the bushveld and many of Chris’ poems and books reflect this love.
Call of the Maiden is a poem I wrote in response to a call for submissions to a poetry anthology by the wonderful poet and all-round creative, Tara Caribou. I was delighted when this, and another four of my poems, were accepted to be published alongside a whole host of amazing poets and artists in Creation and the Cosmos, edited and published in 2021 by Tara’s micro-publishing company, Raw Earth Ink.
The breeze-caressed veld sways
sending dry waves to break on a distant shore
whirlwind dust-devils dance over bare earth
rising up to be scorched into stillness.
View original post 1,954 more words
breathe in (count to three)
breathe out (count to five)
close your eyes
repeat
imagine yourself
on an empty beach
tide coming in
tide going out
breathe in (count to three)
breathe out (count to five)
take yourself
to that place far away
empty your cares
on the sand
watch as the tide
washes over the beach
breathe in, and again
now exhale
~~~~~~~~
Image credit: Matt Barringer @ Unsplash
The image shows the word ‘Exhale’ illuminated as a sign, embedded in a carved structure.
Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #130 photo prompt
Pacing her apartment, she waits for him to call. She stares at the phone, perched innocently on a side table. Wills it to ring. She strides to the window, grips the ledge, her fingers tightening as she views the busy street below. Couples laughing, children running, a solitary man consulting his watch. She turns away. Why doesn’t he phone? Damn him! Puts on her coat, grabs her keys. One last lingering look at the unforgiving phone.
waiting no longer
she slams the door behind her:
the phone starts to ring.
~~~~~~~~
Image credit: Tylor Heery @ Unsplash
The image shows a rotary dial pink telephone, and next to it are cards showing the answering machine messages on different cards. “Leave us a message” , “After the tone” and “Thank you”
Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #129 photo prompt
Snow melt started the previous day.
Soft rain fell all afternoon.
Black ice formed overnight.
Treacherous.
Transparent.
Deadly.
The driver took the corner badly.
Wheels spun, slewed on the ice.
Vehicle out of control.
Screech.
Impact.
Silence.
In the distance
a siren wails.
~~~~~~~~
Image credit: Oleksii S @ Unsplash
The image shows three orange traffic cones placed on the road. There is ice on the road surface and foot prints can be seen on the ice.
Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #128 photo prompt
Returning to the steps where first they met,
he sits awhile, alone, bereft.
Crimson petals like blood red tears
scatter on cold, hard stone.
His heart bleeds for her, his loss,
a future that will never be.
~~~~~~~~
Image credit: Yana Hurskaya @ Unsplash
The image shows an earthenware jug filled with red tulips. The jug is sitting on old stone steps.
Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #127 photo prompt
Your face a mask
pale against the pillow,
eyes watching
aren’t they?
Your head twitches
you turn towards the wall,
not speaking
are you?
I watch and wait
listen to your breathing,
still awake
aren’t you?
Then, the tirade
hateful words tumble out,
awareness
is total.
Lips turn upwards
this, your mischievous smile,
acting up
…aren’t you??
~~~~~~~~
Image credit: John Noonan @ Unsplash
The image shows a black coloured full face mask held in both hands of a person, not shown in the frame.
Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #126 photo prompt
