Drifting

January 12, 2024January 12, 2024 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

May 30, 2022 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

May 23, 2022 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

April 18, 2022April 18, 2022 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

Escape

March 7, 2022 Chris Hall78 Comments

The image shows a girl carrying an oversized geometry set in her arms, looking directly at the camera.

snatching up the tools of her trade
gathering together
her books, her notes
small remnants of her life

eyes wide with fear
her flatmate clutches
their little dog
to her chest

travelling by train, on foot
they finally reach the border
her skills, at least
are portable

~~~~~~~~

inspired by an article from yesterday’s SA Sunday Times in which three SA final year students escaped from Ukraine to Slovakia (their little dog, Mowgli, made it out too)

Image credit: Houcine Ncib @ Unsplash
The image shows a girl carrying an oversized geometry set in her arms, looking directly at the camera.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #124 photo prompt

Flatline

February 21, 2022 Chris Hall110 Comments

The image shows two skeleton’s hands reaching towards a digital device enveloped in purple-pink haze.

fingers slipping
joints clicking
every moment counts
digits creaking
thoughts fading
time is running out
no more posting
no more scrolling
you can’t WhatsApp me now
battery’s dying
signal’s failing
.
.
.

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

Image credit: 8machine@ Unsplash
The image shows two skeleton’s hands reaching towards a digital device enveloped in purple-pink haze.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #122 photo prompt

A Cry for Help!

Yep, my little spam problem is back *sigh*
If you see I’ve just popped a like in your post, please check your spam. Very likely you’ll find me there fuming. Please fish me out🎣

Reflecting at dusk

September 13, 2021September 13, 2021 Chris Hall56 Comments

At day’s end when golden rays slide silently into shadow
running through the shorter colours of the rainbow
while sun’s bright disk is swallowed by dark waves
I wonder, what did I achieve today?

Unlike dawn with her sacred dazzling promise
of a brand new day and a fresh clean start
another tiny chapter of life has closed
one more page has turned, waves
washing over sand, erasing.

I sit on the sun-worn steps
gazing out at the ocean
her timeless waves
her heart beating
and wonder
what might
tomorrow
bring?

Image credit: Kenrick Mills @Unsplash

Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #99 photo prompt.

The image shows a view of the setting sun over a body of water. In the foreground, you can see wooden steps leading into the water. Grey clouds are drifting in the sky.

Love Story

September 6, 2021September 6, 2021 Chris Hall87 Comments

It was love
at first sight
blood rushed
to my head
I sidled up
she looked away
modest, not brazen
I ’specially
liked that
about her.

I teased her
just a little
strutting
so street-wise
then cooing
sweet nothings
offering
tiny titbits
’til one day
she accepted.

Now and
forever
she is
the love
of my life.*

Image credit: Jonah Pettrich @Unsplash

Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #98 photo prompt.

The image shows a pair of lovebirds sitting together and cuddling with each other.

*Love Birds are native to Africa and they do mate for life!

On a Roll of the Dice

August 30, 2021 Chris Hall55 Comments

The wheel spins
which one will win?
how much has each invested?
This week’s wage
a watch, a car?
Too much, for sure
don’t doubt it.
The stakes are high
their dreams are huge
the risk of loss is greater.
Don’t bet your life
on the draw of a card
for only the house
always wins.

Image credit: B P Miller @Unsplash

Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #97 photo prompt.

The image shows three men, one covering his eyes, the other covering his ears and the last one covering his mouth with their hands.