Tag: free verse

Trolley Dash

Chris Hall37 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

Running down to Spar
my favourite shop
not to small and not to big;
okay, let’s do it.

First, some veg
toms, avos and lettuce
no, that’s not right
not lettuce but lemons.

Next aisle, bread
two types – bagels (yum)
and also Albany sliced
seeded brown and delicious.

Now over to the chillers
that’s two litres of semi-skimmed milk
six little yogurts – just plain
and obviously eggs, also six.

Looking at the list quickly
kitchen roll (always useful)
so now there’s only one thing
it’s for Luna – Whiskas.

Just to pay… and out.
Let me see, what’s the time?
I’ve shaved a couple of minutes off!
Excellent, and thank you Spar.

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

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.

Pear Trees

Chris Hall65 Comments

sweet, silky and smooth
firm and crunchy or soft and juicy

eat it with cheese or salad
or maybe cook a pie or a tart

try an upside-down cake
or poaching them in wine

making some dried in the oven
(very low – don’t burn it)

but the best way is to gently pull it from a tree
and eat


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

Image credit: Kateryna Hliznitsova @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a wooden table placed under a tree. On the table, there is an open book, a cutting board, and a knife. There is a plate with a sliced pear on it and some pears are on another plate on the table.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #258 photo prompt.

What do you see # 258- October 14, 2024

Dear Lake

Chris Hall60 Comments

Dear Michigan, Lake Michigan
look out to see
(although, it is a lake)

it is huge and deep
wide and broad
and beautiful.

The man stares out
as the sun goes down
it disappears completely

but the waves and clouds
are still there
and then the moon appears.

She bathes in the moonlight
and the man stands up
as they dance together

and then, tomorrow
she’s gone, and he sits again;
Dear Michigan, come back… please.

~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Tom Barrett of artwork; sculpture by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a sculpture of a man, made by welding alphabets together. The sculpture is located at Atwater Park, overlooking the lake. In the distance, you can see the sun setting over the water and a cloudy sky.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #247 photo prompt.

What do you see # 247- 29 July, 2024

Almost Famous

Chris Hall51 Comments

A movie star in the making
but at the moment he’s treading the boards
he pretends he’s shy
but he’s nothing like it
he could even be a drama queen.

Well, maybe not
strike that one out.

He’s a beautiful man
so clean and fresh and tidy
but there’s one problem
he talks so very high
such a pity.

Actually, he could be a man in drag
and why not?

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

Image credit: Sander Sammy @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a man holding a white face mask which is hiding half of his face. Only his light brown eyes and forehead are visible.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #234 photo prompt

What do you see # 234- April 15, 2024

The Moon, The Moon

Chris Hall74 Comments

the darkness is midnight
the moon is misty
and all the stars are hiding

the man stands staring in the distance
his feet are poised
should he stay or should he go?

a moment later
the stars are back again
the moon is radiant

his soul brings hope
he straightens his hat
it’s time to go

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

Image credit: Darksouls 1 @ Pixabay

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a monochrome photo of a man wearing a suit and a hat, standing at the edge of a small stone bridge. The man is facing away from us. There is a full moon visible in the background and some trees. The whole scene is surrounded by fog.


Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #227 photo prompt

Free You Mind

Chris Hall70 Comments


She stared at the bridge
looking at the train getting closer
she walked along the metal grid
as the train was almost here, as it closed the gap
she grabbed the ledge, holding on
hoping, wishing.

The water was deep below
blazing in the wide river
shimmering in the sun.

The last thing she said was ‘free my mind’
and she flung herself and fell
down
down
gone.

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

Image credit: Suefeldberg
For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a wall graffiti painted on a metallic side of bridge; FREE YOUR MIND.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #224 photo prompt

What do you see # 224- February 5, 2024

Drifting

Chris Hall83 Comments

the journey begins

slowly, slowly
ebb and flow, ebb and flow

wave on wave, back and forth
the moon clicking on, waxing and waning
by month, by month, by month

the mind is drifting
the spirit is dancing
the body is shattered

but now the stars are sparkling
flinging around with joy

this is freedom

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

Image credit: Jona 162@ pixabay
For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a figure of a young woman / girl sitting by the waterside. Part of her body is solid while the rest seems to be evaporating in vapour from.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #220 photo prompt

Insomnia

Chris Hall78 Comments
The image shows a woman whose face has black streaks of mascara on her cheeks. She wears a sad expression and has her hands placed on her head.

In the dark hours
the black pit opens
yawning jaws
have intent grim.

Demons lurk
fingers flexing
yellow-bellied monsters
offer their embrace.

Regrets from the past
fears for the future
groping for every
undefined concern.

Breathe deeply
breathe again
for all will be fine
come the dawn.

~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Muhammed Hassan @ Unsplash
The image shows a woman whose face has black streaks of mascara on her cheeks. She wears a sad expression and has her hands placed on her head.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #136 photo prompt

Losing my way

Chris Hall72 Comments
The image shows a winding road, overhung by branches of a big tree. You can see greenery on both sides of the road and wildflowers.


An open road
so many possibilities
but without you
I have no direction.

The way ahead
beckons
but without you
I am lost.

We always trod
life’s path together
but now, without you
I don’t know which way to turn.

~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Free photo
The image shows a winding road, overhung by branches of a big tree. You can see greenery on both sides of the road and wildflowers.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #135 photo prompt

Exercise in mindfulness

Chris Hall71 Comments
The image shows the word ‘Exhale’ illuminated as a sign, embedded in a carved structure.

breathe in (count to three)
breathe out (count to five)
close your eyes
repeat

imagine yourself
on an empty beach
tide coming in
tide going out

breathe in (count to three)
breathe out (count to five)

take yourself
to that place far away
empty your cares
on the sand

watch as the tide
washes over the beach
breathe in, and again
now exhale

~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Matt Barringer @ Unsplash
The image shows the word ‘Exhale’ illuminated as a sign, embedded in a carved structure.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #130 photo prompt