Category: poetry

That was close…

Chris Hall37 Comments


Too close for comfort
that’s for sure
why has that happened?

That ship is huge
while our lighthouse seems so tiny
in comparison.

Back, back, we shout!
Push, push, for pity’s sake…
can they hear at all?

But it’s beginning to work
Heave-ho – that’s the ticket!
My goodness that was worrying for a bit.

~~~

Image credit: Philipp Deus @Unsplash

This photo shows a part of a ship that is anchored very near a lighthouse. The lighthouse appears very small in comparison to the ship.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #295 photo prompt.

What do you see # 295- June 30, 2025

What’s for lunch?

Chris Hall42 Comments

in my fruit basket
there’s plums, tangerines, avos
it maybe winter
but toms are still ripening
and sitting in the sun room

What to eat for lunch? Maybe use the avocado – definitely ready. Opening it up… mmm, perfect. A little mayonnaise with some tuna, or even better, make some guacamole. So mash the avocado mixed with tomato, a tiny bit of chopped onion and a little chilli pepper. Now we could go really mad. Let’s pile everything in to some tacos, and hey presto… it must be Taco Tuesday – just like Tanka Tuesday (well, it’s only a couple of days late).

~~~~~~

Thanks to Colleen for the inspiration to write syllabic poetry. 
The challenge for this week is all about fruit!

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 18, Fruit, 6/24/25

Another Artist?

Chris Hall62 Comments


he’s an artist
he strides across the fields
he has his easel and all the other things he needs

he stops
he looks around
it’s the perfect place

he sets everything out
and then he paints
broad strokes
colours vivid

is it a masterpiece?

~~~

Image credit: Fuu J @Unsplash

This image shows a windmill standing in a field of tulips. In the background, you see there is a yellow fog and it seems like there is dust in the air.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #294 photo prompt.

What do you see # 294- 23 June, 2025

Two Doves

Chris Hall39 Comments


it’s early morning
sitting inside and staring out
drinking warm rooibos

looking up, who’s there?
they’re definitely married
these two darling doves

we’d thrown out some seeds
but meanwhile we have breakfast
and that’s lovely too

~~~

It’s a senryu series – delightful!

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

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 17, June 17th: Rensaku

Just boasting

Chris Hall37 Comments

a failure?
not for me
I’m far too clever
to not to do anything like that
I might be boasting more than a bit
but what’s wrong with that?
I’ve got my great camera
I can whiz it out
how fun it is
hurrah!

~~~

Image credit: Aaron Burden @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a camera and a leather-bound book sitting on a wooden surface. The name on the cover of the book is in faded letters, the legible one reading: “I am not afraid of failure…..

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #293 photo prompt.

What do you see # 293- 16 June, 2025

The Seagull

Chris Hall45 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

Looking out to sea and see the sea
what a complicated thing it is…
but he doesn’t think too much
in fact, he’s rather thick
but he’s only doing his job.

He’s pretty handy
he’s slow at somethings
but in other ways he’s quick!

(44 word)

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

Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

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

have you guessed it?

a traffic warden
or maybe he’s a footballer
any other ideas?

Moon Bathing

Chris Hall33 Comments

it’s warm and mellow
she prances and pirouettes
her name is Selene
she has a strawberry glow
and she is captivating

~The moon and I have a secret. She knows the reason why I’m smiling~
— Sanober Khan

she has two faces
and she goes further away
it’s frosty silver
and then she dances again
the next time she’s moon bathing

~~~

It’s a Tanka Puente – gorgeous!

Thanks to Colleen for the inspiration to write syllabic poetry.

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 16, Full Moon Magic, 6/10/25

So many books!

Chris Hall53 Comments

books, so many books
how many have I read
I wonder
just say, lots

long ones, short ones
mostly fiction
but many different genres
and also lovely poetry

I look on my shelves
I look in my kindle
so many unread books

there is no way
I will read all of them
before I am gone

~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Priscilla Du Preez @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a stack of books the spine and title of the books are hidden from view. The books are arranged in order of size. The smallest is at the top.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #292 photo prompt.

What do you see # 292

Chilly Nights

Chris Hall50 Comments


Chilly Nights

twilight
blissful but bare
all the trees are stark now
clouds move more quickly, pink and cream
gorgeous

inside
warming my tea, while staring out
night sky is upon us
and she is here
dear moon

~~~

It’s an American cinquain and a reverse cinquain – very nice!

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

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 15, Commencements, 6/3/2025

Sea Turtle

Chris Hall51 Comments

she just arrived
on this beautiful bay
azure on the water
creamy white sands
and up in the sky
little billowing clouds

she began to walk
slowly but surely
it will take all day

and then the sun will go down
she’ll lay her eggs
then later she’ll return
back into the ocean
and looking up to the moon

~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Adam Azim @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a sea turtle emerging from the sea and traveling on the sand. Behind it, you can blue sea and a sky dotted with small white clouds.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #291 photo prompt.

What do you see # 291- 2June, 2025