Tag: haibun

Sunday Roast

Chris Hall33 Comments

It was a big Sunday roast, and all the crowd were here, since it was Granny’s birthday. I was the youngest, and I giggled out loud when I saw those bloomers from everyone. She also laughed, in fact, she had to wipe her eyes, using her pretty hankie, which always had the scent of lavender.

I had a little job on Sunday. I would walk down the long back garden, passing the huge fig tree – what a brilliant smell – then I picked some spearmint leaves, and brought them back to the kitchen.

Then soon it was lunchtime and all those smells were divine. There was roast spuds – just a half one for me though, and a little lamb, but best was the mint sauce, not too much, not too little, just the right amount – just heaven!

such a lovely day
we had eaten gorgeous food,
but gosh, those bloomers!

~~~

It’s a haibun – lovely memories!

Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge hosted by Willow

TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 29, Memories, 09/09/25

Walking around the Castle

Chris Hall42 Comments

She’s wearing her red coat, which is warm and long, and it’s perfect. She wonders what she should write today, since she has a small notebook in her pocket. She strides across the ancient bridge; she stops in the middle. She surveys the large loch, pulls out her pencil and paper, and scribbles a few lines: it’s a haiku – from Scotland to Japan.

from heather
to cherry blossom;
just divine

~~~

Image credit:  Christian Crocker @Unsplash

This image shows the back view of a woman dressed in modern day attire, and a red coat, walking towards an ancient castle in Scotland, over a stone bridge.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #299 photo prompt.

What do you see #299- 28 July, 2025

What’s for lunch?

Chris Hall42 Comments

in my fruit basket
there’s plums, tangerines, avos
it maybe winter
but toms are still ripening
and sitting in the sun room

What to eat for lunch? Maybe use the avocado – definitely ready. Opening it up… mmm, perfect. A little mayonnaise with some tuna, or even better, make some guacamole. So mash the avocado mixed with tomato, a tiny bit of chopped onion and a little chilli pepper. Now we could go really mad. Let’s pile everything in to some tacos, and hey presto… it must be Taco Tuesday – just like Tanka Tuesday (well, it’s only a couple of days late).

~~~~~~

Thanks to Colleen for the inspiration to write syllabic poetry. 
The challenge for this week is all about fruit!

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 18, Fruit, 6/24/25

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

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

Around the World

Chris Hall
The view through my kitchen window today

Preparing for the coming festivities, modest though they are again this year, I gaze out of my kitchen window. Carols from Cambridge are playing on my CD as I chop and stir. Craning up at the wide blue African sky, I think of all the friends I’ve made across the globe. The storytellers, the poets and the bloggers who through their words, thoughts and dreams make my world all the richer every day.

warm wind blows
while thoughts from abroad
embrace me

*******************************

Be happy, be safe, and let us look to a better future for the world, my writing friends!

Island of inspiration

Chris Hall69 Comments
The image shows a red motor boat anchored near a quay. There is a small buoy floating near it. In the distance you can see a small island.

Creeping out at dawn, she tiptoes barefoot over golden sand, gritty grains sliding between her toes. The sun, a crimson sliver, struggles to free itself from the horizon. She steps onto the jetty, its planks still moist with dew. Now, tugging softly at the mooring rope, she draws the boat towards her. With a brilliant flash, sunlight flares across the azure water bathing the bay in its gilded rays. She shades her eyes, tastes the salt on the breeze, inhales. Then, she drops lightly into the boat, casts off, and slips away into the morning.

her island awaits:
magical voices whisper
giving up secrets

~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Saffu@Unsplash
The image shows a red motor boat anchored near a quay. There is a small buoy floating near it. In the distance you can see a small island.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #138 photo prompt

Around the world…

Chris Hall62 Comments
A summer garden with lush green shrubs growing beyond a covered stoep where there is a table and chairs. Four painted coffee cups are set out on the window sill.
The view through my kitchen window today

Making preparations for the coming festivities, modest though they are again this year, I gaze out of my kitchen window. Carols from Cambridge are playing in the next room as I chop and stir. Craning up at the wide blue African sky, I think of all the friends I’ve made across the globe. The storytellers, the poets and the bloggers who through their words, thoughts and dreams make my world all the richer every day.

warm wind blows
while thoughts from abroad
embrace me

Be happy, be safe, and let us look to a better future for the world, my writing friends!

Home thoughts

Chris Hall50 Comments
The images shows a parcel wrapped in gift paper and tied with a string. There are a few Christmas decorations scattered near it.
We see a parcel wrapped in gift paper and tied with a string.
There are a few Christmas decorations scattered near it.

As the festivities commence
my thoughts turn north
to the country of my birth
where snow crunches underfoot
and darkness is driven away
by constant pools of light.

Where ice sparkles
and children exhale
frosty breath
making snow angels
on silvery lawns.

Now I’ve put down roots
where summer’s sun
bakes the thirsty earth
and children dance
on dusty paths.

Here, where velvet darkness
draws in quickly
and Africa’s golden moon
smiles down, I know
I’m already home.

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

Image credit: Jonathan Borba @ Pixels

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #113 photo prompt