Navigating these Stormy Seas

April 20, 2020 Chris Hall45 Comments

The picture shows a stormy sea with an old ship battling the winds.

Hold hard, me handsome hearties!

He yells above the storm

Together we’ll get through this

if our duties we perform.

Through stormy days and stormy nights

our trusty craft will sail

So have a care and to your posts

and we’ll survive this gale.

Through life’s uncertainties we’ll steer

a course that’s not foretold

We’ll overcome the challenges

with the fortitude of old.

So join me now and have good cheer

cast all your doubts away

with hope and strength and kindness

we’ll survive another day.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #26 photo prompt.
Image credit: Thommas on Pixabay

100 Silly Words

April 13, 2020 Chris Hall50 Comments

The picture shows two brown bunnies hugging each other. There are a couple of brightly coloured eggs next to them.

I have a mirror which makes

me look thinner.

Not quite svelte

but at least I can loosen my belt,

to allow the occasional treat.

So bring me chocolate and sweets

and sugary treats

and promise not to tell

That the width of my waist

when sucked in with haste,

isn’t as large as I think

when approaching the sink

to wash up the debris of sin.

But here’s to the spring

when each living thing

starts to frolic and dance in the sun.

I’ll be hidden away

with the stash of today:

chocolate bunnies and eggs

and a book.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #25 photo prompt.
Image credit: Annca on Pixabay

Together we are strong

April 7, 2020April 7, 2020 Chris Hall47 Comments

wdys 24 the picture shows a neon sign with the words You Are Here in the background a view of city lights

In that darkest hour
just before dawn
when night-time terrors
clutch my heart

You are here.

In black-dog moments
when tears well up
and despair’s dark hands
wrench me apart

You are here.

When sunbeams stream forth
as storm clouds part
and laughter and song
fill my heart

You are here.

And we will survive
this troubled world
because together, my love
we are strong.

Written as a ‘two for one’ prompt response to:

1) Sadje’s What Do You See #24 photo prompt – photo credit: Pexels.
2) Di of Pensitivity 101‘s Three Things Challenge #198 – phobia, cry, laugh (loosely)

More from the Prophesy Book

March 30, 2020May 5, 2020 Chris Hall20 Comments

WDYS 23 the picture shows a girl holding a book which is hiding her face. The title of the book is not clear

The sun cast its first golden rays across the heathland. Sinead and Moonsprite had been walking all night. They’d pursued the path in the starlight, pushing aside all thoughts of what lurked in the darkness beyond. Sinead had drawn the Sword of Elshain several times, but no creature had dared approach.

Both were tired now.

The path led to a stand of pine trees beckoning safety. They settled down on the soft-scented forest floor, guarding Moonsprite’s saddle bag and its precious contents between them. Sinead gathered her cloak around her, the Sword of Elshain under her hand.

Awaking to find the sun high in the sky, Sinead shared out the last of the stale oatcakes. She opened the Prophesy Book and continued reading. Raising her eyes she now saw a towering castle wall beyond the trees.

Foretold in the Prophesy Book, the first of the four last challenges lay within.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #23 photo prompt.
Image credit: Leah Kelly on Pexels

Read the previous episodes of Sinead’s Final Quest

Beginning the Final Chapter

March 23, 2020May 5, 2020 Chris Hall37 Comments

WDYS 22 The Picture shows a purple illumination in the sky in form of a beam. We can see the stars in it. A figure is silhouetted in the light.

Sinead held the Blue Orb aloft. Moonsprite, her snow-white unicorn, pawed the ground while her Mistress uttered the sacred words from the final chapter of the Prophesy book.

The orb glowed more brightly, its indigo light shining across the wild heathland. A path appeared before them: the way to the Far Side, where the Edge of the World began. Sinead must commit the way to memory. The Blue Orb would not shine here again.

Night creatures skittered and slithered around their feet. Sinead gripped the Orb more tightly, willing her mind to absorb the knowledge.

The Orb ceased to glow, but the stars shone overhead. Sinead returned the Orb to Moonsprite’s saddle bag and took out the Sword of Elshain, strapping it around her waist. There were four last challenges to complete.

Moonsprite tossed her silver mane. The journey would be long, but together they would finish the final chapter.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #22 photo prompt.
Image credit: Egil Sjøholt -Pexels

Sinead’s final quest began here.

Overcoming the Oppressors

March 16, 2020May 5, 2020 Chris Hall30 Comments

WDYS 21 The picture shows a woman dressed as a warrior standing on a rock and next to her is a giant mask, one of the eye sockets of which is broken

Sinead stood defiant as last of the Oppressors tumbled into the cloud-cloaked abyss. She’d underestimated the power of the fabled Blue Orb, and thought the Prophesy must be flawed, but the magic she’d unleashed when she spoke the sacred words had felled them all.

That last one had laughed scornfully. How could a mere woman destroy the Patriarchy? But he was wrong. He sank, like the rest of them, crumbling to dust.

Sinead plucked the Book of Prophesy from Moonsprite’s saddle bag. The snow-white unicorn whinnied softly as her mistress turned to the final chapter.

The words glowed red.

At last Sinead realised what the Fourth Sacred Artifact must be. Slowly she led Moonsprite back down the Sunset Path. Once more their journey would be long, but she must gather the remains of the Sisterhood.

Together they would forge the Freedom Key which would unshackle the chains of Mother Earth.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #21 photo prompt.
Image credit: Kellepics on Pixabay

Until we meet again

March 9, 2020 Chris Hall31 Comments

what do you see 20 by chris hall lunasonline

Wherever you go, know
I will watch out for you.

No, don’t look back!
Your future lies ahead.

Live it out, live it well
Be free, be happy!

Don’t turn around!
You’ll break the spell.

Know, my love
that I will be waiting

Until we meet
on the other side.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #20 photo prompt.
Image credit: Akshay Premjith, Pixabay

Walk on

March 2, 2020 Chris Hall33 Comments

what do you see 19 by chris hall lunasonline

When you reach this final bridge
pause a while

Take your time to cross.

From here there is
no way back.

So make your peace and
take the ultimate step.

The Unknown awaits.

Tread softly and walk on
with hope in your heart.

Might the best be
yet to come?

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #19 photo prompt.
Image credit: Unsplash

The Search

February 24, 2020 Chris Hall25 Comments

what do you see 18 by chris hall lunasonline

Breathlessly I peddled up the hill. Jack loved the woods. We were going there anyway, but as soon as I’d reached for his collar he’d bolted out the back door.

I threw my bike down at the end of the lane. Sandals pounding over the dry earth, I called out, running this way and that.

No Jack.

I ran deeper into the woods.
‘Jack! Jack!’

Where would a little dog go? Suddenly the woods seemed huge.

Calling his name, I ran and ran until I could run no more. I leant against the nearest tree, fighting my rising panic.

Tears ran down my cheeks. I closed my eyes and began to howl.

Then I felt something rub against my leg. I opened my eyes.

It was Jack!

I crouched down and put my arms around my little dog. I’d gone to find him, but it was he who’d found me.

Written as a ‘two for one’ prompt response to:

1) Sadje’s What Do You See #18 photo prompt – photo credit: Hoi An, Unsplash.
2) Di‘s Three Things Challenge #155 – rub, howl, collar