Category: poetry

On the Threshold

Chris Hall35 Comments

The image shows an old bearded man standing on a stone staircase that is leading to a tower. In the background you can see mountains enshrouded in clouds.

Each time he asks:
life well-lived or just a bystander?

Young soul or old,
are you still curious?

Will you go round again?
do more, or better this time?

The wheel of life: 
treadmill or merry-go-round?

Will you go round again?
learn more, and see more this time?

Turning on and endlessly on
the wheel of life

Will you go round again
or leave at the terminus?

Your choice.
Will you go round again?

 

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #38 photo prompt.
Image credit: Stefan Keller on Pixabay

The Atonement

Chris Hall43 Comments

For visually challenged reader, the image shows a woman holding her hands in supplication. In front of her a hummingbird is hovering in air. There are flowers in the background.

Meditating in the moment
watching silent wings beat softly
in bright iridescence
inhaling the essence
of fragrant flowers
before being laid to rest
on their beautiful bower.

She, who today, has been chosen
to atone for all our sins
the balm to soothe the breast
of our broken mother, Gaia.

 

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #37 photo prompt.
Image credit: Stefan Keller on Pixabay

Nostalgia

Chris Hall50 Comments

The image shows a camera capturing the image of a woman in colour, while the rest of the image is in black and white. There are lots of tools on the wall behind the camera.

Sunshine and sandcastles,
warm hugs and gap-toothed grins.

Short skirts and high heeled shoes,
deep kisses and long-lashed smiles.

Memories colour a drab existence,
a façade over a pretty face.

Worn, wrinkled and age-faded,
behold the deceitful mask of time.

 

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #36 photo prompt.
Image credit: Ariadne-a-mazed on Pixabay

Night time lover

Chris Hall51 Comments

For visually challenged reader, the image shows a castle at night, it’s turrets and towers reflecting moonlight. A cloudy sky can be seen in the background.

Dressed in alabaster skin, I wait
beneath the unctuous black blanket of night.

Moonlight casts lascivious shadows
as I slide inside your cloak.

Moonlight illuminates your lurid lips
as I yield to dark desire.

Come morning, sunlight snatches you away
yet still you slide over my skin.

Until the next time
when darkness comes again.

 

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #35 photo prompt.
Image credit: Pixabay

 

Forest enchantment

Chris Hall53 Comments

For visually challenged reader, the image shows a woodland scene, where blue butterflies are sitting on the forest floor among tiny mushrooms. Tall trees are visible in the background.

fern fronds caress the moonlight’s cobalt rays

opening night blooms to scent bright butterfly wings

ringing bluebells dancing over dead leaves and distant hearts

ever beating, glowing in the heart of darkness

sending saffron sunbeams sliding over silky loams

tempting new life to rise from the ink-dark dead of night

 

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #34 photo prompt.
Image credit: Pixabay

‘Make-it-up-Charlie’

Chris Hall42 Comments

The image shows a boy standing next to a Stegosaurus dinosaur in a park.

Charlie
was apt
to make up
stories.
It got
to a point
when no-one
believed anything
he said.
Until one day
we followed him.
Who would have thought it?
Charlie really had
a pet dinosaur.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #33 photo prompt.
Image credit: DianaZG on Pixabay

Memories

Chris Hall27 Comments

The image shows an old-fashioned camera resting on a faded map. There are three photos in sepia print next to the camera

there is something

about a portrait in sepia

the delicate hue and the softly faded smile

not standardized or digitized or posted somewhere in the cloud

save it – print it – don’t lose it – you’ll regret it

and always keep your memories

stored safely in

your heart

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #32 photo prompt.
Image credit: DariuszSankowski on Pixabay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJNrKHv50X8

Thriller, chiller!

Chris Hall52 Comments
For visually challenged reader, the image shows a road leading towards a dwelling in the forest. It is hidden in fog and surrounded by tall trees. A light is shining brightly out of the window of the house.

Dark trees, darkened house,
sense of dread inside your head.

Go on, step softly, lest he hear you
What goes on inside that house?

Light spills out, a shadow moves
Hold your breath, keep still, keep calm!

The light grows stronger, pulls you near.
Sense of dread inside your head.

You look up, the figure beckons.
Sense of dread inside your head.

Gripped by his gaze he draws you in.
Sense of dread inside your head.

You venture onward, up the stairs.
Sense of dread inside your head.

Dark trees, darkened house,
no longer have that sense of dread?

Come closer now, you’re almost there
Welcome to the vampire’s lair!

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #31 photo prompt.
Image credit: Art Tower on Pixabay

Beneath these branches

Chris Hall33 Comments

The image shows a young girl standing next to an old sprawling tree in a park. There is an empty bench in front of her.

Little girl tiptoes round the tree
Once I was a girl, just like she
All tousled hair and sun-kissed limbs
I wonder, what became of me?

A life well-lived, a love fulfilled
Time ticked away, my heart was stilled.
But watch, my love, and wait for me
to tiptoe round that self-same tree.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #30 photo prompt.
Image credit: Majaranda on Pixabay

That morning

Chris Hall41 Comments

Tthe photo shows a man, on a pier, in a carefree swinging movement. A body of water is visible in the background.

You danced for me
early that morning
when you walked me home
from the party.

Dawn was breaking,
early morning sun
shone over the river.
Your steps were so light,
we were both so free.

Now you dance no more.
But I at least still have that
early morning memory.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #28 photo prompt.
Image credit: Zhugher on Pixabay