Category: Stories, poems and other short pieces

Craft Market

Chris Hall41 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

‘Another trophy,’ grinned Joey as he moved around the small museum, ‘and what a nice little find.’ He walked from one side to another, deciding where that best location would be.

He had been to the craft market at the start of the day, all the best bargains could go any time. He’d been poking around the various stalls, all kinds of bric-a-brac and stuff, and he almost couldn’t find anything appropriate. But then he saw it. Just a small wooden statue with a long face and a round tummy. Rather pleasing.

He’d haggled a bit, pushing down the price, even though he knew it was much more expensive – or at least he thought so. But of course he would do that, he couldn’t help himself. Always a dealer, as he winked, and then he hurried across the town, to open the museum.

But he couldn’t decide where to put this lovely piece.

He was sure it was very old, and also it must have come from somewhere in West Africa. Maybe Gambia or Sierra Leone? Why did he think about that? He should have to send an email to a few friends around the world. But meanwhile he would put the little piece on the desk at the front, next to his laptop.

He picked it up again.
Then he closed his eyes.

‘You must have been in a large ship, and dangerous. From Africa to North Carolina, USA, but in between you went to Liverpool – is that right?’

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

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.

(250 words)

Just a few flowers

Chris Hall35 Comments

just a few flowers
on the edge of the landscape
it’s so grey
there’s no mauve, jasmine or pearl
so smoggy in that city

but close by, the colours are vibrant
there’s dahlias and daisies
so vivid

but it’s blurring now
such a shame

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

Image credit: Brooke Balentine @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a few flowers lying on the parapet of a high-rise building. In the blurred background, the tall buildings of a cityscape can be seen.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #288 photo prompt.

What do you see # 288- 12 May, 2025

It’s the Ferry

Chris Hall45 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

Great Aunt Margot was having a leisurely breakfast on the ferry. She continued to read as she sipped her fresh orange juice.

Meanwhile the two boys had been running all around the ferry. But they stopped for a bit, they were almost out of breath.
‘It’s so big, isn’t it.’
‘And several decks as well.’
‘It’s lovely day too.’
‘And calm, fortunately.’ ‘Come on, let’s run around again.’
So off they went, again.

Great Aunt Margot had finished her breakfast, but still she was reading her e-book. It was a detective novel, and it was pretty good, and she had no idea who had done the murder… yet.

A moment later, the two boys rushed past. Then they stopped and turned back.
‘Are we still okay to walk around,’ one of them said.

Great Aunt Margot looked up, holding her e-book carefully, ‘I thought your walking was rather more like running, hmm? But no problem, as long as you’re not in the way.’ She grinned now.

‘Actually, we have several things we have found around the decks. Look at these!’ The two boys smiled happily, as they removed their various pockets and put them on the table.

Great Aunt Margot looked at all of those things. ‘Quite a catch, you have,’ she remarked.
But then, several people appeared, and each of them said: ‘that’s mine’ and ‘that’s yours’ and ‘is it his?’… etc.

The two boys looked rather upset, although not for long. ‘Look, the ferry will be docking soon.’

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

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.

(250 words)

A bit of batting

Chris Hall35 Comments

You are kidding me?
Yup, that’s right,
But you’re dense!
Sorry, but you are!

I’m not very happy about that!

But, I was only saying,
I mean, I don’t want to be rude,
But, well, you’re thick,
Well at least a bit.

Still, I’m thin, not fat and wide like you.

Hmm, I’m thinking about that.
It’s all in our heads though isn’t it?
Well, I suppose so?
And we’re still friends aren’t we?

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

Image credit: Miguel Luis @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a neon sign in bright green lit letters, saying; “it’s all in your head”.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #287 photo prompt.

What do you see # 287- 5th May, 2025

Di of Pensitivity 101 – Monday’s Three Things Challenge: THICK, DENSE, WIDE

Three Things Challenge : MM50

Sewing Bee

Chris Hall52 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

Sewing?
Not my forte,
definitely not.

I can’t darn
I can’t knit
I certainly can’t crochet.

What can I do?
Well, I can turn up my jeans
as I’m rather short.

You see, I’m a writer
…and so
it doesn’t matter what I wear!

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

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.

(44 words)

The Man and a Hat

Chris Hall50 Comments

This man… who is he?
I’ve never seen him before.
He’s wearing a trench coat
even though it’s very warm
is he a spy?

He’s wearing a hat
not a cap
not a bonnet
not a boater
It’s a trilby, and it’s pulled down
he is definitely a spy!

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

Image credit: Maksym Mazur @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a shadow of a person, wearing a hat. The shadow is cast on a bed of green grass and 2 dandelions are growing in the patch of grass where the eyes of that silhouette would be!

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #286 photo prompt.

What do you see # 286- 28th April, 2025

Beach

Chris Hall35 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

Great Aunt Margot had her old car outside.
‘We know what this is,’ said the two boys in unison. ‘It’s a 2CV, isn’t it?’
‘That’s right, and you can hop in,’ she grinned. ‘We are going to the coast. It isn’t too far,
I’ve got a big basket here in the front, and you too can sit in the back.’

It was a beautiful day and quite soon they could see the sea.

Great Aunt Margot parked the car. She handed the big basket. ‘You can carry it between you.’ She strode ahead, with one hand holding a large parasol and the other with a big and pretty rug.
Soon much munching went on.
‘Now, off you go,’ said Great Aunt Margot. ‘I’ll have a little nap,’ she smiled. ‘You can go all round here – the sand, the rock pools and even the very tall palm trees.’

After about an hour, the two boys caught up with Great Aunt Margot.
‘Enjoying yourselves?’
They both grinned.
‘I’m going over to the little market just over there,’ she pointed. ‘I will still be able to see you.’

Later, Great Aunt Margot was still chattering in the car park. While the two boys were running around the tall, tall palm trees.
They kept looking at them.
‘I’m sure those trees are getting closer to us, don’t you think?’
‘Weird, isn’t it?’

They were still talking about those trees. And then Great Aunt Margot said: ‘don’t worry, they often move,’ as she winked. 

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

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.

(250 words)

is it art?

Chris Hall59 Comments

is it art
we think so
it’s in a gallery
the colours are brilliant
russet, amber, cerulean and mauve
excellent! let it mingle and bloom
vibrant, that’s what we want
magnificent, such flare
now, get a picture
we have it
art then
is all

~~

Image credit: Zach Heiberg @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a view of a sand hill and green shrubs through a broken window of an old building.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #285 photo prompt.

What do you see #285- April 21, 2025

Cosplay

Chris Hall36 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

The two boys had been walking about the town. It was Saturday and it was early May. They moseyed down to the river, where there are lots of small shops and cafes in this part.
‘It seems rather busy here, is there something going on?’

They walked a little further.
‘Look, there’s something strange on one of those tables outside.’
‘What do you think that is?’
‘Hmm, I’m not sure.’

They were getting closer now.
‘Looks like a costume, I wonder who it’s for.’
‘It looks familiar.’
‘Oh, I know what it is, that’s a Spiderman costume.’
‘But who’s supposed to wear it?’

Then a moment later…
‘Look, someone has just appeared from that bar.’
‘Gosh, he’s not wearing much is he?’
The two of them glanced at each other, and then started giggling.

Meanwhile, the guy quickly put his costume on, as he muttered. ‘I just needed a wee, and I’m a bit late too.’ He pointed, ‘you see that large stadium?’
The two boys nodded, ‘we know it.’

The Spiderman stood up properly. ‘It’s not far, and you can come in as guests with me. Maybe I can find something for both of you to wear. You see I’m a cosplayer, and you’ll both enjoy that, I’m sure.’

So the two boys were dressed in various items, and they looked pretty good. They wandered around in this busy and happy place, and what did they see?’

Let’s guess… (apart from a date – 4th May)

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

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.

oh my moon

Chris Hall63 Comments

a flash of light
then darkness
my moon, my wonderful moon
where is she?

her name is Selene
and she’s captivating
she can be huge, and brilliant
or far, far away
but she’s always mine
but now she’s red, blood red
is she angry?

~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Joseph Corl @Unspash

Picture # 1 shows:
Total lunar eclipse 3/14/25, showcasing the captivating reddish glow of a blood moon against the dark night sky. Just a bit of white at the top! The stars dot the black background on a very clear night!

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #284 photo prompt.

What do you see # 284- 14 April, 2025