Category: Stories, poems and other short pieces

Back to those two boys!

Chris Hall30 Comments

‘Come on, another race?’
‘I’m game, let’s go further into the woods.’
The two of them pedalled as fast as they could until both of them stopped… dead.

‘What a fantastic tree. It must have been chopped down.’
‘But that’s a shame.’
‘I guess so… but, well…’ as he trailed off with a thought.

The two of them dropped their bikes. They walked around that huge broken down tree. They climbed up for a while, until both of them dropped down again. They stood together just a few metres away, and they stared and stared again at that upside down tree. For a while, they seemed to be mesmerised, but then they started to giggle.

And who can draw something as good as they did?
Now that end of the tree has a proper face, a big nose, a sad mouth, and two tiny eyes.

‘Cute,’ as they grinned together.

~~~~~~~~
150 words

Crimson’s Creative Challenge #074

Barbeque?

Chris Hall41 Comments

Photo Prompt © Lori Wilson

Barbeque? Well, not usually called it here. We prefer the word ‘braai’.
But it’s just a way to say, ‘howzit’.

It’s time to open some beer… naturally, and to make sure all the meat is arranged around the grill, since everyone has something different.

The women have brought salads and stuff. They’re already ‘skinnering’ (gossiping), and very happy with that. Now it’s the perfect time for ‘sundowners’ for the girls… some lovely white wine – and chilled.

Route 66? Almost. This is Route 62!

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

20 February 2026

Ship ahoy (or boat in fact)

Chris Hall43 Comments

Ship Ahoy! (or boat, in fact)

This is a beautiful boat,
sailing around a huge ocean.
It has been a peaceful time so far,
but I can see a storm ahead.

So mind the tillers and stuff.
The rudder needs to be straight and safe;
it’s going to be a long night and day.

And it was, and worrying,
but the following day,
it was lovely again.
Next stop will be Cape Town.

~~~

Image credit: Amein Shareef77 @Unsplash

This image shows a sailboat in a vast body of water. The skyline/horizon is clear, and the water is calm. This photo was taken from another boat nearby.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #328 photo prompt.

What do you see # 328- 16 February, 2025

Valentine’s Day 💘

Chris Hall63 Comments

🌹🌹🌹🌹

it’s Valentine’s day
come on, let’s go and eat here
we’ll sit together
we’ll have a little smooching
since both of us are soulmates

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

~~~~~~~~

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 51, Synonyms Only, 2/10/26
Crimson’s Creative Challenge #073

Park place

Chris Hall49 Comments

Photo Prompt © David Stewart

She had been moseying along that long sidewalk, since she had little to do that day. The street was wide and very, very straight, as she continued to walk on. There were trees on the left and trees on the right, and they had been planted for some years.

She almost felt that she should hug a tree.
But that would look daft.

A little later she entered the park there.
There was a handy bench not far, so she sat down.

Opening her big bag, she took out her writing book and a pen.
Then it became a poem.

~~~

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

13 February 2026

Those Cloisters

Chris Hall43 Comments

She stood reverently,
bowing her head,
hoping to find herself,
there was no-one around,
and that was what she wanted.

She began to walk,
trying to stay focused,
but what was the point?

But then she knew,
she must do this,
that beautiful
nunnery.

~~~~

Image credit: Yasmin Onuș @Unsplash

This image shows a long stone corridor with repeating arches, where soft sunlight creates dramatic shadows and highlights the historic architecture. Mardin, Türkiye

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #327 photo prompt.

What do you see # 327- 9 February, 2026

Otters at large

Chris Hall45 Comments

Those otters were on the move.
They were swimming with purpose.
They had enjoyed those smallish fish,
but now they are going down stream.

Previously they had been in a beck.
They had been playing in little pools.
It had been pleasant and good fun,
but then it had been time to stride on.

Leading, like she would, she beckons.
The three almost grown-up pups were alert.
They could see they were getting closer,
since this is the proper river, and what will they find?

Soon they were there; where should we choose?
They all looked around along the bank.
But it didn’t take long, fortunately,
and, of course, Mister Otter was back!

~~~~~~~~
113 words

Crimson’s Creative Challenge #072

An interesting apartment

Chris Hall57 Comments

Photo Prompt © Jennifer Pendergast

It was my first pad, and for the first time it was just me on my own.
Rent, of course, but not too expensive. Well, it was pretty tiny.

Partly furnished, all old stuff, but usable.
A single bed, a little rickety. A big cupboard, a dressing table (hideous), and a chest of drawers.

I’d a beanbag and a couple of big cushions, my clothes and bedding, my books and the darling record-player, plus some albums.

On the landing there was a shared kitchen and bathroom.

The first night, I’ll never forget that.
I woke up.
A ghost appeared.
Perfect.

~~~~~

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
Genre: Memoire
Word Count: 100

6 February 2026

Around the world, and more

Chris Hall55 Comments


She got up in the night that time,
it was gorgeous and warm,
and so clear.

The moon was full and huge,
the stars twinkled beautifully.

There was planets – she knew them,
and beyond there were galaxies.

She stared, and stared again,
then she was moving, up and up.

She will meet and greet,
but who were they?

She closed her eyes,
and that was it.

And was it just a dream?

~~~~

Image credit: Steve Busch @Unsplash

The photographer described this image as; Triangulum Galaxy. Not your normal-looking galaxy. This galaxy is known as a flocculent spiral galaxy because its arms are made of patchy segments, not long, continuous spirals like you see in most other galaxies. It also lacks a strong central core of dense, bright stars. The patchy blue and red/pink areas are large star formation regions. This galaxy is 2.7 million light years away.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #326 photo prompt.

What do you see # 326- 2nd February 2026

Seven words

Chris Hall72 Comments

It said, ‘take what you need.’ It was stuck on a telegraph pole by the pavement.
She stopped and looked. Interesting, she thought.
But she moved on, although she continued that thought.

She mused as she walked along that road.
What were the seven words again?
She could remember them, and all were good, she felt.

She pondered as the rain started again. Well, it was the UK after all.
Then the next telegraph pole appeared, which also had the same words.
However, this one had been disfigured.

So ‘love’ and ‘money’ had disappeared, as did ‘passion’ and ‘happiness’ – very sad that.
Then ‘luck’ had become ‘uck’ – very unpleasant.
But, at least it hadn’t been replaced with ‘fuck’ (gosh, naughty).

Right in the middle, the word, ‘courage’ had lost part of it.
Now it’s called ‘rage’… another gosh for that.
All that was left was ‘hope’ and that seemed appropriate.

~~~~~~~

Image credit: Maximus Mazar @Unsplash

This image shows a paper poster on a pole, saying – “Take what you need”
Underneath are tabs marked- Love, Hope, Passion, Courage, Happiness, Luck, Money!

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #325 photo prompt.

What do you see # 325- 26 Jan, 2026