Category: writing prompts

The Little Lighthouse

Chris Hall65 Comments

The little lighthouse sits proudly just beyond the beautiful bay. Mostly it is sunny and bright, where the sea and sky are blue and bluer. The waves dance with the white foam, ebb and flow, ebb and flow. But sometimes the wind and rain lash around the rocky promontory, as it clashes and moans. It goes dark and there is no moon, but the little lighthouse flashes boldly around, keeping the boats and ships from harm. And then, in the morning, it is light and sunny again.

dear little lighthouse
you shine gaily day and night
keep us safe always

~~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Elias Kipfer @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a lighthouse located on a tiny piece of land near a rocky coastline. The sea around it is misty and gray.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #256 photo prompt.

What do you see # 256- September 30, 2024.

Can I do this? (a bit of nonsense)

Chris Hall63 Comments

I was never good at numbers, unfortunately. However, I have written so many things. When I was little I would write poems and small stories, and then in high school I went up to an essay each week. I am happy with all writing things – either pen or pencil with paper, and even better on my laptop now… but numbers? Really not good – apart from playing Scrabble, of course.

a pen or pencil
is mightier than a number:
wouldn’t you say, eh?

right, okay
strike it out, that’s it;
now, try it again

a pen or pencil
is mightier than a sword:
better isn’t it?

~~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Karla Hernandez @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a hand holding a Rubik’s cube which has words written in some of the squares, that can be read from left to right or top to bottom that says; “ Figure it out”

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #255 photo prompt.
Di’s Pensitivity101 – Monday’s Three Things Challenge: WRITTEN, PAPER, ESSAY

What do you see # 255- September 23, 2024
Three Things Challenge #M826

What’s inside?

Chris Hall54 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

Everyone was out. The father, the mother and the two children were busy going to the shops.

Meanwhile, there was something moving slowly inside. It slithered down and writhed around the house. People craned outside, looking at the house.

A little later the father, mother and the two children came home, wondering who was looking in their window. ‘Please go away,’ said the father.

But what had happened?

They heard a noise as they opened the door, but none of them were worried.

‘Oh, there he is. Look!’
‘He managed to get out.’
The two children carefully picked him up.

‘Come, Henry, back in the tank.’
It was only the huge and lovely snake. He’s a beautiful boa.

~~~~~~~~

The Unicorn Challenge-20/09/24
Three Things Challenge #M825

Climb Up

Chris Hall46 Comments

‘Climb up, climb up, you can do it,’ as they shouted. But she couldn’t hear them. She had fallen, tumbling and tumbling; it was very dark, damp and clammy. She’d been bruised and cut, as she moved around, carefully. She could see a little chink of light here in the cave and she clambered around and began to climb. Now it was lighter and warmer, and it wasn’t too far now. She could hear all of them shouting: ‘Come on, you can do it!’

she climbed, climbed again
as the rays of light shined out
and now, she’s here, phew!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Danial Burka @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a shadowy figure standing on a raised grassy plateau inside a cave. The top of this plateau is illuminated with rays of light coming from an opening at the top.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #254 photo prompt.

What do you see # 254 – September 16, 2024

The Luggage

Chris Hall55 Comments

she’s moving again
how many times, she’s lost count
where will she go next?

the custom manager
threw the rest of her things out
‘good riddance,’ he shouted

her method is the same
she will find another place
it’s a tradition

a man’s there.

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

Image credit: Bernhard @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows the view of a street where a stack of old luggage (suitcases) is piled one upon another, the lowest one resting on a wooden box. There’s a bicycle parked next to this pile, along a no parking sign.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #253 photo prompt.
Di’s Pensitivity101 – Monday’s Three Things Challenge: CUSTOM, TRADITION, METHOD

What do you see # 253- September 9, 2024
Three Things Challenge #M812

Ghosts and Dreams

Chris Hall77 Comments

she sits staring out
rain pitter-patters down, cold and grey
dismal, dank and damp

but inside she’s warm
reading a tatty old book
and what’s wrong with that?

the candle flickers
but there’s no ghosts here now
just peace and happiness

no misery here!

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

Image credit: Esra Korkmaz @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows an open book lying on a table near a window. There is a lit candle near the book on the table in a brass bowl. The pages of the book are yellowing with age. There are water droplets on the outside of the window pane.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #252 photo prompt.

What do you see # 252- September 2, 2024

I’m going in

Chris Hall47 Comments

Time to go in
as the huge doors beckon.
She has her cotton bag
and she’s on her last call.

She’s inside
and she’s confident.
She walks up the winding stairs,
wearing her professional face.

She disappears, and re-appears.

‘Order, Order!’
She’s the judge.

~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Richard Stachmann @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a woman standing on the sidewalk, near a door looking at her phone. There is a handbag in between her hand and a cloth bag hanging from her shoulder.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #251 photo prompt.

What do you see # 251- August 26, 2024

The Beautiful Game?

Chris Hall45 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

She’s put out the snacks and brought his beer, chilled, in his special glass (one of them). More beers are in the fridge; she has a pie ready to warm for half-time – steak and kidney – his preferred.

Pre-match build up: pundits pontificate; re-runs, highlights, triumphs and near misses. There is success and then there is shame. Which will it be today? National Pride is at stake, for this is the World Cup.

As she sits, small and submissive on the far end of the couch, she plays a different commentary in her head. Missed penalties, own goals, bad decisions by the ref. The repercussions: cuts and bruises (hers); failure on the field reflected in domestic disappointment.

Predictions are favourable. The odds of a positive outcome are weighed in favour. She weighs up her own odds: win or draw 20 per cent, lose 50 per cent (the chances of a beating).

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

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.

Walking Boots

Chris Hall55 Comments

will he walk a thousand miles
as he climbs around the sea
and will he walk another league as well?

his boots are big and magnificent
as he strides over mountains and lakes
and then the pinnacle arrives…

but what more can he achieve?

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

Image credit: Karsten Winegeart @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a pair of hiking boots suspended in the air. They both are facing in different directions and it seems as if they are worn on feet attached to invisible legs!

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #250 photo prompt.

What do you see # 250 – August 19, 2024

What a vista!

Chris Hall55 Comments

Walk up this beautiful alley
so fragrant, fulsome and vivid,
washed with umber and white-lime walls
as marigolds and cyclamens bloom.

The steps are worn and warm as well,
as we weave around the village,
and then eventually we’re here.
The vistas are magnificent;
we look out to see for many miles
and we wish we could stay forever.

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

Image credit: Sig- Sigmund @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a view of an alley where stairs lead up to a house. The stairs are decorated with planters where different flowers are flourishing. There is a huge vine hanging from the side wall. The whole look is of a well-used and aged home.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #249 photo prompt.

What do you see # 249- August 12, 2024