Category: poetry

Traditionally Yours

Chris Hall40 Comments

Reaching out across the airwaves
tuneful voices high and sweet
echo brightly from a distant chapel
of vaulted ceilings and flickering candles

She sings along, only slightly out of tune
picturing pews of fresh-faced choirboys
with golden halo hair and snow-white surplices
wide-eyed and open mouthed

Smiling, she chops and slices
as the voices transport her
while her hands work busily
preparing for the feast

Now the warm summer wind drifts
through the open kitchen window
while wintery hymns
embrace her in nostalgia.

It’s my special festive tradition to listen to the carol service from King’s College Cambridge while cooking on Christmas Eve. This year will be no exception. Some particularly fond memories of mine come from the years when my husband had a bike shop and used to go out late on Christmas Eve to deliver the children’s bikes to their houses after they’d gone to bed, just like Santa Claus, while I made us a late supper of fishy treats.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #60 photo prompt.

Image credit: Shche-Team @ Unsplash
(The image shows an outdoor scene. An old fashioned radio is placed next to a couple of candles and a wicker basket. Behind the radio is a pot full of blooming red flowers)

Sisters

Chris Hall51 Comments

growing up on distant continents

without a common tongue

lives so seemingly different

rich north, poor south

experiences diametrically opposed

.

and yet

sharing corresponding smiles

weeping mutual sorrows

our hearts are touched

by the same love and loss

.

because, in the end

we are all

sisters under the skin

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #58 photo prompt.

Image credit: Cheryl Holt @ Pixabay
(The image shows very two young girls heading off together, holding hands. One is of African heritage and the other seems Caucasian).

A bit of old nonsense

Chris Hall45 Comments

Just one tiny cake
a candle-topped treat
two bites big
is all I can eat.

Gone are the days
of parties and thrills
just make sure
I take all my pills.

But with memories rich
I’ll celebrate
don’t you know
I’m a hundred and eight?*

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #57 photo prompt.
Image credit: Angéle Kamp @ Unsplash
(The image shows a a single cupcake with a lit candle on top of it).

*thank you, Goutham @ https://gdutta17.wordpress.com/ (see the comments below)

Only Suffer in Silence

Chris Hall46 Comments

Look at her
a face illuminated by street lamps, by passing cars
she watches, she waits
the expression on her face is one of… nothingness.

Look at her
dark circles under her eyes, a bruise on her cheek
hidden by her hair
the look in her eyes is one of… emptiness.

Look at her
what did he do? what do you do? while she’s
beaten and broken
one woman, one of many, living in… hopelessness.

Society sleepwalks, liberals shake their heads
say wise but empty words, while behind closed doors
this never ends.

A woman is killed every three hours in South Africa, according to police statistics – a rate five times the world average. Half are murdered by men with whom they had a close relationship.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #56 photo prompt.
Image credit: Phmaxiestevez @ Pixabay
(The image shows a young woman looking out the glass pane of a partially open door, with an indecipherable expression).

Uncertainty

Chris Hall47 Comments

Unknown waters lie ahead, our future is opaque, obscure, still uncharted

No more mapped out milestones, no glittering goals to accomplish

Certainty has ceased, while we clutch at withered straws

Ever searching for proper patterns to pursue, the

Return to routine, to the mindful mundane

That frees us, and comforts us

And will sustain our souls

If only in illusion.

No chance of

That hope

Yet

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #54 photo prompt.
Image credit: Evan Clark, Unsplash
(The image shows a person precariously balanced, standing on a fallen tree trunk hanging over a body of water).

Curiosity

Chris Hall42 Comments

– steady now

                        but there’s so much to explore!

– take your time

                        but everything’s a toy, a joy!
                        so many things to see and smell
                        and feel and taste… oh, eew!!

– yes, but…

                        look at me!
                        oopsie!

– be careful, or you’ll fall

                        the world’s so big

– and you’re so small

                        but now’s my time, I want it all!

– one day, little one, when you’re grown.
  

Everything comes to she who waits.
Hold on! Shine bright!
Never lose that spark, that drive
the curiosity of a child.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #54 photo prompt.
Image credit: Billow 926 – Unsplash
(The image shows a baby panda standing in a Moses basket. Next to it us a wicker basket, which it is leaning in to)

The Good Fight

Chris Hall53 Comments
The image shows back of a man who is standing in a dark medieval entrance holding a flaming torch in his hand

Be brave, good knight,
and raise aloft your light
to shine on every corner of
this godforsaken kingdom.

Where people cower
beneath the all-powerful might
that dictates who should receive
the lion’s share of wealth.

Afraid, good knight,
that those in power
will snatch away your sword?

Yet you are on the side of right
your fight is just and true.

Fear not, good knight,
and lift your standard high!
Behold, we raise our heads above the parapet
throwing down the challenge of our begging bowls.

Together we will fight for what is right
for the future good of all.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #53 photo prompt.
Image credit: Linus Sandvide – Unsplash

On a life well lived

Chris Hall48 Comments
For the visually challenged reader, the image shows an old woman whose face is deeply lined. There is a faint smile on her face.
Mirth plays around your mouth miming multi-coloured mischief of an occasionally ill-judged youth. Fun feathers your forehead framing joyous recollections of halcyon days soaked in summer sunshine.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #52 photo prompt.
Image credit: Pisauikan – Pixabay

It is time

Chris Hall38 Comments
The image shows an hour glass sitting on a small table. The sand has run through the glass. Two hand are reaching for it from opposite ends.

Leave it now, my love

I’ve had my three score years and ten

Soul mates, we’ll meet again

in time.

.

Don’t reach out, my love

Leave me be, let me go ahead

I’ll see you there, you know

the place.

.

Let me rest, my love

My heart may still, but not my soul.

You and I will be one

again.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #51 photo prompt.
Image credit: Adrien King – Unsplash

On Life’s Threshold

Chris Hall38 Comments
For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a young man lounging against a door jamb with a hat held against his chest. The young man is quite a looker!

Standing on the threshold, your future unmapped
who knows what adventures lie ahead?
which paths will you take?
which avenues will you dawdle down?
what rewards will you seek?

Everything lies before you
the big world beckons.
Choose wisely, my son
but not too wisely.
Life’s not a dress rehearsal.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #50 photo prompt.
Image credit: Sean Lee – Unsplash