Category: Stories, poems and other short pieces

Let me look at that river

Chris Hall41 Comments

It was the first of March and a rather chilly day, but I decided to have a little walk in the fresh air. It had been wet and muddy underfoot so I put my wellies on. I trudged across a few roads before I came to the park and the smallish river.

I stopped in the middle of the bridge, and peered across and down to the river. Not much to see though. No fishes unless they were at the bottom, but that was probably true. No birds around either, as I turned to look and the other side of the bridge. This was the upside of the river, the right place to play Pooh Sticks, as I grinned to myself, although it’s not much fun to play on one’s own.

It was time to head back. And time to think about some hot coffee and a couple of Hobnobs!

~~~~~~~~
150 words

Crimson’s Creative Challenge #075

A sunset surprise

Chris Hall70 Comments

Photo Prompt © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

‘Aliens? Can’t be.’
‘What d’you mean?’
‘Oh… nothing.’

They stood together watching another glorious sunset, and saying nothing for several minutes.

‘So why did you mention aliens?’
‘Whoa. Look.’ She pointed her finger as a bright light zoomed across the sky.
He said nothing.
‘Didn’t you see it?’
‘Nope.’
‘Hmm,’ she huffed.

She was still looking around the sky, when another one happened. ‘It’s that little bright green light again.’

But then it dawned on him. ‘Our son’s sitting just inside. He’s playing with a laser pointer pen and it’s green.’
‘Well, at least he’s stopped doodling on our walls!’

~~~

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
Genre: It’s been one of those weeks.
Words that Don’t Particularly Count: 100

27 February 2026

Sunflowers 🌻🌻

Chris Hall43 Comments


A Sunflower Tanka 🌻 but of course!

this tanka is good
even inspired, I’m thinking
it’s a lovely day
let’s open the double doors
and walk out to the garden

the fragrance is sweet
there’s a second flush of toms
basil, rosemary, dill
I have my watering can
to hand, I potter around

summer is waning
yet flowers are still thriving
roses are glorious
as I continue to walk
and there they are… sunflowers

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻


~~~~~

Image credit: Húng Pham @Unsplash

This image shows two hands touching a big sunflower, that is growing in a field of sunflowers.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #329 photo prompt.

What do you see # 329- 23 February, 2026

Back to those two boys!

Chris Hall45 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 Hall50 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 Hall44 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 Hall45 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