Category: poetry

Castles in the Air

Chris Hall70 Comments
The image shows shows a castle in the clouds. A surreal image created by the clouds that surround it.
The image shows a castle in the clouds, a surreal image created by the clouds that surround it.

If I were able
I’d build a castle
just for you

A pearl-white, perfect vision
fashioned from daydreams
forged in the flames
of burning desire

If I were able
I’d offer my castle
only to you

A shining cerulean citadel
sculpted from fantasies
shaped by illusions
of anxious lust

If I were able
I’d trade my castle
to be with you

A glowing golden fortress
moulded from memories
shored up by recollections
of passions past

If I were able
I’d secure you
in my heart

And never let you go.

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

Image credit: Google Images

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #107 photo prompt

The Wall

Chris Hall71 Comments
The image shows an elderly man and woman embracing. In the background, people can be seen going about their business.
The image shows an elderly man and woman embracing. In the background, people can be seen going about their business.

A country, carved into four
by the victors.

A city, divided
by ideology and
something more.

Erected in haste
assembled in the silent hours
while they slept
apart, in blissful ignorance,
concrete and iron
snaked through
their lives.

Three decades on
torn down in protest:

lovers reunite
whom time
could not
divide.

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

Image credit: Gennaro Leonardi @ Pixabay

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #106 photo prompt

Enigma

Chris Hall49 Comments
The image shows a dog dressed in a woolen sweater and wearing round wire-rimmed glasses, staring seriously at the camera.
The image shows a dog dressed in a woollen sweater and wearing round wire-rimmed glasses, staring seriously at the camera

What lies inside your little world?
What secrets hide within?
Eyes disguised, emotions veiled,
concealed behind a mask.

Wide-eyed, yet poker-faced,
your visage a strange conundrum
reposed, composed and tranquil
in silent contemplation.

Cloaked in mystery, unperturbed,
let me plumb your hidden depths.
What lies inside your little world?
What secrets hide within?

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

Image credit: Charles Deluvio @ Unsplash

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #105 photo prompt

Whispers in the Mist

Chris Hall86 Comments
The image shows a natural pool fed with streams. There is a mist on its surface and there are green moss covered rocks surrounding it.
The image shows a natural pool fed with streams. There is a mist on its surface and there are green moss covered rocks surrounding it.

before sun’s
pink fingertips
brush the face
of mother earth
by the sacred pool
clouds swirl, circle
murmurs rise
in silver streams
coalesce
in dew-drop webs
while incantations
spill silently
from her lips
enchantments
whispering
in the mist

Image credit: Sean Robertson @ Unsplash

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #104 photo prompt

Naughty but Nice

Chris Hall82 Comments
The image shows shows a tray lined with brown paper filled with doughnuts.

Oh, how I crave your
sweet succulent charms
long to smell the perfume
of your honey-coloured skin

Oh, how yearn for your
sweet yielding softness
ache for the touch
of your full fragrant form

I hunger to taste
your deep spicy sweetness
to nibble, caress and
sate my desire

temptation takes over
my lips are a-tremble
I close my eyes
and swallow you up.

Image credit: Jovan Vasiljević

Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #103 photo prompt.

Bethelbert’s marvellous mystery machine

Chris Hall61 Comments
The image shows shows a rocky landscape, near the ocean. Overhead an old house with a few mechanical devices is floating in the sky on a small piece of land.
The image shows shows a rocky landscape near the ocean. Overhead an old house with a few mechanical devices is floating in the sky on a small piece of land.

All aboard, all aboard!

Cogs whirr, chains clank
pistons pump and gears crank
hang onto your hats and don’t look down
Bethelbert’s ride is the best in town
feast your eyes on the folk down there
open-mouthed they stand and stare
passing over the hills and dales
the ocean’s in sight, do you see those whales?
clouds above and sea below
which way’s up I’d love to know
hold on tight and live your dream
in Bethelbert’s marvellous mystery machine!

Image credit: Xresch @ Pixabay

Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #102 photo prompt.

An Uneasy Peace

Chris Hall63 Comments
The image shows a street scene of an old town in Europe.

dawn’s pink fingers
caress the town awake
softening the darkness
bringing forth the light

he walks alone
fighting recollections
of grim gun-metal days
running through
crimson-spattered streets
dodging snipers
and falling shells

the war is over
but remembered sounds
and bitter memories
remain locked inside
his broken heart.

Image credit: Maksym Harbar @Unsplash

Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #101 photo prompt.

Autumn Days

Chris Hall47 Comments

She still remembers those days
ochre rays filtering
through gaunt autumn trees
casting patterns on the path
they trod together.

Days of promise, days of hope
leaves drifting downwards
crunching underfoot
creating crimson carpets
for them to follow.

And as long years drifted by
like autumn leaves falling
although far apart
treading different paths
they walk together.

Image credit: James Wheeler @Unsplash

Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #100 photo prompt.

The image shows sunlight beams are falling on a mother and daughter walking in the forest, holding hands

Reflecting at dusk

Chris Hall56 Comments

At day’s end when golden rays slide silently into shadow
running through the shorter colours of the rainbow
while sun’s bright disk is swallowed by dark waves
I wonder, what did I achieve today?

Unlike dawn with her sacred dazzling promise
of a brand new day and a fresh clean start
another tiny chapter of life has closed
one more page has turned, waves
washing over sand, erasing.

I sit on the sun-worn steps
gazing out at the ocean
her timeless waves
her heart beating
and wonder
what might
tomorrow
bring?

Image credit: Kenrick Mills @Unsplash

Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #99 photo prompt.

The image shows a view of the setting sun over a body of water. In the foreground, you can see wooden steps leading into the water. Grey clouds are drifting in the sky.

Love Story

Chris Hall87 Comments

It was love
at first sight
blood rushed
to my head
I sidled up
she looked away
modest, not brazen
I ’specially
liked that
about her.

I teased her
just a little
strutting
so street-wise
then cooing
sweet nothings
offering
tiny titbits
’til one day
she accepted.

Now and
forever
she is
the love
of my life.*

Image credit: Jonah Pettrich @Unsplash

Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #98 photo prompt.

The image shows a pair of lovebirds sitting together and cuddling with each other.

*Love Birds are native to Africa and they do mate for life!