Tag: free verse

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

Escape

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

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 picture of a tin of spam

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

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.