Category: poetry

Sunday Roast

Chris Hall33 Comments

It was a big Sunday roast, and all the crowd were here, since it was Granny’s birthday. I was the youngest, and I giggled out loud when I saw those bloomers from everyone. She also laughed, in fact, she had to wipe her eyes, using her pretty hankie, which always had the scent of lavender.

I had a little job on Sunday. I would walk down the long back garden, passing the huge fig tree – what a brilliant smell – then I picked some spearmint leaves, and brought them back to the kitchen.

Then soon it was lunchtime and all those smells were divine. There was roast spuds – just a half one for me though, and a little lamb, but best was the mint sauce, not too much, not too little, just the right amount – just heaven!

such a lovely day
we had eaten gorgeous food,
but gosh, those bloomers!

~~~

It’s a haibun – lovely memories!

Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge hosted by Willow

TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 29, Memories, 09/09/25

More coffee

Chris Hall58 Comments

That’s right, more coffee – and soon.
She bent down to pick up her bag;
she needed to write.

She looked over for a moment,
the view was divine – sea and sky,
but back to work.

Will she ever finish this great tome?

~~~~~

Image credit: Peter Thomas @Unsplash

This image shows a table for two, set overlooking a picturesque scene. There are two teacups on the table, one of them is empty while the other is full of tea! In the background, you can see bright orange flowers, and far away mountains are visible too.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #305 photo prompt.

What do you see # 305- 8th, September-2025

Just a window

Chris Hall49 Comments

my photo – rather strange

the small pond glistened
some tiny birds winged away
I smiled at the crane
since I felt so blissful then
let me think some more nice thoughts

I smelled the coffee
and I continued to drink
looking at the sky
I suddenly saw my hands
I felt so very alive

~~~~~
~~~

Melissa introduces a creative writing challenge inspired by Maggie Queeney.
Participants observe from a window, write about their surroundings, and create a tanka poem using sensory imagery and personal reflections.

Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge hosted by Mom With a Blog.

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 28, Tanka: Looking Through Windows, 09/02/25

Message in a Bottle

Chris Hall58 Comments

The ocean beckons,
what shall we do today?
I know what we can do,
let’s throw a pretty bottle in to the sea.
Oh yes, it’s always nice to send one out.
It needs a note, of course,
we’ll write it together;
a moment later, it was done.
We just need to bung the cork back,
and off it goes.

~~~~~~~~~

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

Image credit: Tanya Barrow @Unsplash

This image shows a set of steps leading to a structure on a beach with multiple directional arrows pointing in different directions. Some of the names written on these arrows are Hogwarts, London, New York, Saas Fee, Dubai, Area 51, Bangkok, etc. In the background, you can see the ocean waves and sand.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #304 photo prompt.

Plus, Di of Pensitivity 101 – Monday’s Three Things Challenge: BOTTLE, BUNG, CORK

What do you see # 304- 1st September, 2025

Busy…

Chris Hall41 Comments


we are so busy
this is me, I’m a squirrel
and who’s over there?
tiny wax bills and sun birds
we’re chattering and chirping

there’s two pretty doves
and a couple of weavers
I’m going up now
there are so many creatures
just paradise, isn’t it

~~~

Personification – so interesting!
Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge hosted by Robbie Cheadle.

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 27, Personification, 08/26/25

Lovely France

Chris Hall59 Comments

I’m looking down,
in this interesting place,
I haven’t been there before.

It’s very beautiful,
and such a lovely day,
I’ve always liked France.

I’ve been over the sea,
but the warm land
is even better.

I’m a seagull
is there any food here?

~~~

Image credit: Eugenia Pankiv @Unsplash

This image shows the rooftop of a building, with turrets and a sloping roof! There are different birds sitting on the roof, including a seagull. There are bird droppings all over the turret, chimney, and the roof.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #303 photo prompt.

What do you see # 203- August 25,2025

Just Rose

Chris Hall47 Comments

canva.com

so where was that witch?
I had been looking for her
which way would she go?
I rose up, holding a rose
that would please her, very much

~~~

It’s a taiga  – created by Colleen and Robbie – such a nice idea!

Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge hosted by Yvette M. Calleiro

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 26, Multiple Meanings, 08/19/25

Inside and Outside

Chris Hall55 Comments

Inside and Outside

Pitter patter raindrops,
as I’m looking outside,
while that pretty bench
continued to drip, drip.

I’m tempted to go out,
since it was not cold,
in fact, it was rather warm,
so why not do so?

I grabbed my umbrella,
and then ran outside,
I danced across that pretty bench
and what fun I had.

~~~

Image credit: Richard Stachmann @Unsplash

This image shows the view of a white wooden bench through a fog stained window. There are trees and green grass behind the bench. There is evidence of rain!

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #302 photo prompt.

What do you see # 302- 18 August, 2025

Time and Clocks

Chris Hall50 Comments

canva.com

time is so precious
and I think tick tick tick tick
it is moving on
where will I go when I die?
can anyone tell me today?

This is a taiga with a tanka poem and a black and white photo – created by Colleen and Robbie.

Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge – from Colleen – very useful!

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge #25, 8/12/25: Tanka & Experimental Tanka
Submissions are OPEN for the 2025 Sunflower Tanka Anthology

In her prime

Chris Hall42 Comments

she’s a beautiful girl
she’s in her prime
and now she has two youngsters
they are bold and fun, and running around
but she keeps one eye on the boisterous wee boys
and the other in the distance
but all is fine just now

~~~

Image credit: Johan Siggesson @Unsplash

This image shows a lioness with two cubs standing in long grasses. The lioness is looking to her left with narrowed eyes.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #301 photo prompt.

What do you see # 301- 11 August, 2025