Roses

April 27, 2026 Chris Hall28 Comments

so roses are red
such a cliché, isn’t it
still this is off white
it’s very pleasing, lovely
although this is a painting

and this is it? that’s right
so clever, I’m really impressed
that’s beautifully done
and what is his name, do tell
he was called Vincent van Gogh

🌹🌹🌹

Image credit: Jay Sadangi @Unsplash

This image shows a window with rusted borders. The window is divided into four panes. Behind the bottom two panes, a beautiful bunch of white flowers is visible.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #338 photo prompt.

What do you see # 338- 27 April, 2026

She’s famous

April 20, 2026April 21, 2026 Chris Hall44 Comments

I will drink coffee
and you will drink lovely tea
but she drinks wine, gosh
that is rather radical
yes indeed, what a woman

“Don’t look at me in that tone of voice.”

let’s slide closer to her
look, she talks fast and loudly
very funny though
she’s so, so dry, isn’t she
and we know her name, don’t we

― Dorothy Parker

~~~

Image credit: Andes Beltran @Unsplash

This image shows someone holding three cups and the cups are made in the image of a woman’s face. The expression on the three cups are slightly different from each other.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #337 photo prompt.

What do you see # 337- 20 April, 2026

Chicago!

April 13, 2026 Chris Hall63 Comments

Chicago, Chicago! What a wonderful city. We know it’s called the Windy City, but from here in this lovely hotel it seems blissful. Such a gorgeous view. We can see for miles and miles. All those striking skyscrapers. What a joy!
So we crane our heads at those views to see the river. The river? No, we mean that huge lake. Ah yes, Lake Michigan. That’s the one.

Okay, so what are we going to do now?
Well, we’ve dropped our stuff in this very nice room.
I’m saying, food.
We could go to get a couple of Chicago-style hot dogs… Downtown Dogs?
Or let’s push our boats out, what about ‘Girl and The Goat’. It’s a very good restaurant, apparently.
Now you’re talking!

so let’s leave them there
since we know some good new facts
anyone else to go?

~~~~~~

Image credit: Alessandro Guarino @Unsplash

This image shows the view from inside a hotel room out of the window. High rise buildings present a calm scene. According to the photographer it is; Nobu hotel-Chicago; the city never asks to be let in. The bed is made and the room seems unoccupied.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #336 photo prompt.

What do you see # 336- 13 April, 2026

Love letter

April 6, 2026 Chris Hall43 Comments

I jumped up quickly,
this is what I ought to write;
not a ‘Dear John,’ no!
Oh, this must be eloquent,
but will he think about me?

He’s such a nice guy,
always helpful and useful.
We are both good friends,
but could we be more than pals?
He’ll begin… ‘We’re soul mates.’

~~~~

Somonka – write this Japanese form consisting of 2 Tanka (syllable count of 5/7/5/7/7 without rhyme) written as love letters. Although traditionally a collaborative form, one author can write both. Make this love letters to yourself taking two different points of view.
Thanks, Val

~~~

Image credit: Alexander Mass @Unsplash

This image shows a woman in a night gown, sitting in front of a writing table and writing something on a sheet of paper. There is a window behind her showing that it’s day time and the bed is unmade.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #335 photo prompt.

What do you see # 335- 6 April, 2026

Looking to Scavenge the Month

Calm sailing

March 30, 2026 Chris Hall55 Comments

She was calm,
and in the distance,
all seemed fine.

Evening tide
was quite beautiful,
just mellow.

But not true,
there was no-one there,
all had died.

She sailed on,
like Mary Celeste
and others.

And soon she
disappeared again,
and that was it.

~~~~~

Image credit: Rafael Garcin @Unsplash

This image shows a sail ship on the sea. In the background we see that the sky is yellow and orange, indicating that the sun is setting.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #334 photo prompt.

What do you see # 334- 30 March, 2026

Just another year…

March 23, 2026 Chris Hall48 Comments

What’s a year anyway?
It flies… doesn’t it?
Yep, indeed.

What month is it now?
It’s March already
and of course,
a March, would march,
wouldn’t it?

Hither and thither,
I’m thinking…
What?
Well, March is a month
which has a crossroads in a way.

Oh yes, the equinox!
It could be spring or autumn.
Interesting isn’t it.

But either way,
summer or winter will fly;
and then it will be…
yep… another year!

~~~

Image credit: Leo_Visions @Unsplash

This image shows a whitish piece of paper and on it, there are stamped 4 words in red ink- “Next year was better”

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #333 photo prompt.

What do you see # 333

But where am I?

March 16, 2026 Chris Hall48 Comments

But where am I?
And how did I get here?

I looked around a bit, then stared at that sign.
It said in capital letters, from top to bottom.
So it seems to be in the right place.
And meaning me?

But where is this place?
It’s dry.
It’s warm.
Yes, there’s some bushes.
Yes, there’s a mountain quite close.
But?
BUT?

Just whoa down.
And sit down.
At least it’s a handy sign to relax there.
Just closing my eyes.
Ah…
Bliss.

~~~

Image credit: NIR HIMI @Unsplash

This image shows a sign with arrows pointing in different directions. The message on the arrows say:- “You are exactly where you need to be.” In the background, one can see mountains and a few bushes.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #332 photo prompt.

What do you see # 332 – 16 March, 2026

Bad ending?

March 9, 2026 Chris Hall53 Comments

Bad ending? Maybe,
but hold on, it’s a new day,
something will occur.

We could play Scrabble?
What do you think? Got the board
right here… excellent!

Who’s going to start?
Okay, it can be you then;
so now we’re busy.

Happy face, good!

~~~

Image credit: Puscas Adrian @Unsplash

This image shows 4 colourful keys, not usually part of a keyboard. The black one has “bad” printed on it, the white one says “end,” the grey one says “ing,” and the orange one has a sad face.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #331 photo prompt.

What do you see # 331- 9 February, 2026

Ooh, a forest…

March 2, 2026 Chris Hall56 Comments

Ooh, a forest…

Intriguing, she thought,
as she walked around
this wonderful canopy.
It was vast.
It was magnificent,
and there were
so many different trees.
What else would she find,
as she continued to marvel?
Would she hug a tree?
Well, why not.
She was about to open her arms,
but then disaster.
It was a huge snake!
She backed away,
and stood there for a moment.
Then she turned around, and ran.
And she continued to run
until she was in the car park.

This is a great place in Cape Town – have a look: Tree Canopy Walkway

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

Image credit: Ali Kazal @Unsplash

This image shows a wooden platform/ bridge in a jungle like environment. The bridge is made of good quality seasoned wood and so are the railings. We can see tall pine trees on the front and sides of the bridge.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #330 photo prompt.

What do you see # 330- March 2nd, 2026

Sunflowers 🌻🌻

February 23, 2026 Chris Hall43 Comments

A Sunflower Tanka 🌻 but of course!

this tanka is good
even inspired, I’m thinking
it’s a lovely day
let’s open the double doors
and walk out to the garden

the fragrance is sweet
there’s a second flush of toms
basil, rosemary, dill
I have my watering can
to hand, I potter around

summer is waning
yet flowers are still thriving
roses are glorious
as I continue to walk
and there they are… sunflowers

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

~~~~~