Springtime

October 24, 2025 Chris Hall40 Comments

my little friend

Dawn is up, and already little creatures are on the move
Geckos and lizards are warming up, and skittering near to the rim
Young squirrels hurry down the huge palm tree and up again

The sky is tinged with pink and turquoise, doves are courting merrily
Male weaver birds are busy making many nests, looking hopeful
Dawn is up, and already little creatures are on the move

Pond skaters glide across the water, striding with purpose
A dragonfly flies fast, then hovers, seeking for a mate
Geckos and lizards are warming up, and skittering near to the rim

Bright butterflies with glorious rainbow colours dance with glee
And pretty flowers wave to the bees asking them to pollinate them
Young squirrels hurry down the huge palm tree and up again

~~~~~

Val‘s Scavenger Hunt – 5th prompt
Write a Cascade poem using a season of your choice.

Looking to Slide into Seasonal Change

New Life

October 9, 2025 Chris Hall50 Comments

my biggest trees

little leaves and buds
are all around the old oak
it’s spring in the air
birds and squirrels jump for joy
and so much new life begins

~~~

Val‘s Scavenger Hunt – first prompt
Write a poem inspired by leaves (dying ones or newly emerged).
For bonus points use a Tanka to express your feelings about the leaves.

Looking to Slide into Seasonal Change

Just whisper

October 3, 2025October 3, 2025 Chris Hall35 Comments

a tiny frog is hiding in my lovely arum lilies

~~~

spring leaps up
it’s a glorious time
when bees hum

nectar blooms
while arum lilies
just whisper

fearless day
as a tiny frog
burrows in

~~~

Basho style haiku
Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge hosted by Selma

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 32, Haiku Like Bashō, 09/30/25

Just One Day

September 26, 2025 Chris Hall60 Comments

this is my pond just at the moment, there are several tiny frogs around up there

the pond is alive
small frogs are making merry
with some willow fluff

spring dawn is the day
young grasses wave to them
frogs are on the move

they begin to climb
staring at the bright blue sky
they’ll take to the trees

~~~

Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge hosted by Yvette M. Calleiro

TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 31, Just One Day, 09/23/25

White Dew

September 18, 2025 Chris Hall42 Comments

a new beginning
bugs come out, so that’s handy
the white dew glistens
tranquil… could’ve been, but no
it’s a Venus flytrap, whoops

~~~

Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge – from Colleen – very useful!
p.s. – I’m in the springtime… in the southern hemisphere.

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 30, 24 Seasons, 9/16/25

A Scurry of Squirrels

April 25, 2025 Chris Hall44 Comments

Squirrels, an Acrostic Nonet Poem

Squirrel, are you in that drey over there?
Quite a place I imagine, is that right
Under and hiding in that palm tree
I definitely think I can see you
Room for many of them
Run out now, go on
Every one join in
Link up together
Scurrying

Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge hosted by Willow. She has asked us to think about what is happening underground. Seeds and bulbs are waking up, while roots are looking for nourishment and reaching out looking for communication and news. Little creatures and insects are all on the move.