Let me out!

December 21, 2020 Chris Hall55 Comments

The image shows wall art. A woman is dressed in 1950’s style. A speech bubble next to her says, ” Listen to your inner child” There are cartoons and graffiti on the wall too

My inner child cowers, confined by conformity
Yearning to be let out, unshackled and free!

Iridescent, uninhibited
Not contained and
Not restrained, she’d
Engineer enjoyment, frivolity and fun.
Raging and rebellious

Chortling and
Howling, craving
Instant satisfaction, but no! Quietly she
Lurks beneath the veil of decorum
Dwelling in the darkness, sadly unfulfilled.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #61 photo prompt.

Image credit: Tim Hüfner @ Unsplash
The image shows wall art. A woman is dressed in 1950’s style. A speech bubble next to her says, ‘Listen to your inner child’. There are cartoons and graffiti on the wall too.

Traditionally Yours

December 14, 2020 Chris Hall40 Comments

Reaching out across the airwaves
tuneful voices high and sweet
echo brightly from a distant chapel
of vaulted ceilings and flickering candles

She sings along, only slightly out of tune
picturing pews of fresh-faced choirboys
with golden halo hair and snow-white surplices
wide-eyed and open mouthed

Smiling, she chops and slices
as the voices transport her
while her hands work busily
preparing for the feast

Now the warm summer wind drifts
through the open kitchen window
while wintery hymns
embrace her in nostalgia.

It’s my special festive tradition to listen to the carol service from King’s College Cambridge while cooking on Christmas Eve. This year will be no exception. Some particularly fond memories of mine come from the years when my husband had a bike shop and used to go out late on Christmas Eve to deliver the children’s bikes to their houses after they’d gone to bed, just like Santa Claus, while I made us a late supper of fishy treats.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #60 photo prompt.

Image credit: Shche-Team @ Unsplash
(The image shows an outdoor scene. An old fashioned radio is placed next to a couple of candles and a wicker basket. Behind the radio is a pot full of blooming red flowers)

Sisters

November 30, 2020November 30, 2020 Chris Hall51 Comments

growing up on distant continents

without a common tongue

lives so seemingly different

rich north, poor south

experiences diametrically opposed

and yet

sharing corresponding smiles

weeping mutual sorrows

our hearts are touched

by the same love and loss

because, in the end

we are all

sisters under the skin

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You S ee #58 photo prompt.

Image credit: Cheryl Holt @ Pixabay
(The image shows very two young girls heading off together, holding hands. One is of African heritage and the other seems Caucasian).

A bit of old nonsense

November 23, 2020November 23, 2020 Chris Hall45 Comments

Just one tiny cake
a candle-topped treat
two bites big
is all I can eat.

Gone are the days
of parties and thrills
just make sure
I take all my pills.

But with memories rich
I’ll celebrate
don’t you know
I’m a hundred and eight?*

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #57 photo prompt.
Image credit: Angéle Kamp @ Unsplash
(The image shows a a single cupcake with a lit candle on top of it).

*thank you, Goutham @ https://gdutta17.wordpress.com/ (see the comments below)

Only Suffer in Silence

November 16, 2020November 16, 2020 Chris Hall46 Comments

Look at her
a face illuminated by street lamps, by passing cars
she watches, she waits
the expression on her face is one of… nothingness.

Look at her
dark circles under her eyes, a bruise on her cheek
hidden by her hair
the look in her eyes is one of… emptiness.

Look at her
what did he do? what do you do? while she’s
beaten and broken
one woman, one of many, living in… hopelessness.

Society sleepwalks, liberals shake their heads
say wise but empty words, while behind closed doors
this never ends.

A woman is killed every three hours in South Africa, according to police statistics – a rate five times the world average. Half are murdered by men with whom they had a close relationship.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #56 photo prompt.
Image credit: Phmaxiestevez @ Pixabay
(The image shows a young woman looking out the glass pane of a partially open door, with an indecipherable expression).

Uncertainty

November 9, 2020 Chris Hall47 Comments

Unknown waters lie ahead, our future is opaque, obscure, still uncharted

No more mapped out milestones, no glittering goals to accomplish

Certainty has ceased, while we clutch at withered straws

Ever searching for proper patterns to pursue, the

Return to routine, to the mindful mundane

That frees us, and comforts us

And will sustain our souls

If only in illusion.

No chance of

That hope

Yet

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #54 photo prompt.
Image credit: Evan Clark, Unsplash
(The image shows a person precariously balanced, standing on a fallen tree trunk hanging over a body of water).

Curiosity

November 2, 2020 Chris Hall42 Comments

– steady now

but there’s so much to explore!

– take your time

                        but everything’s a toy, a joy!
                        so many things to see and smell
                        and feel and taste… oh, eew!!

– yes, but…

look at me!
oopsie!

– be careful, or you’ll fall

the world’s so big

– and you’re so small

but now’s my time, I want it all!

– one day, little one, when you’re grown.

Everything comes to she who waits.
Hold on! Shine bright!
Never lose that spark, that drive
the curiosity of a child.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #54 photo prompt.
Image credit: Billow 926 – Unsplash
(The image shows a baby panda standing in a Moses basket. Next to it us a wicker basket, which it is leaning in to)

The Good Fight

October 26, 2020 Chris Hall53 Comments

The image shows back of a man who is standing in a dark medieval entrance holding a flaming torch in his hand

Be brave, good knight,
and raise aloft your light
to shine on every corner of
this godforsaken kingdom.

Where people cower
beneath the all-powerful might
that dictates who should receive
the lion’s share of wealth.

Afraid, good knight,
that those in power
will snatch away your sword?

Yet you are on the side of right
your fight is just and true.

Fear not, good knight,
and lift your standard high!
Behold, we raise our heads above the parapet
throwing down the challenge of our begging bowls.

Together we will fight for what is right
for the future good of all.

Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #53 photo prompt.
Image credit: Linus Sandvide – Unsplash