Tag: whatdoyousee

Steps and Shadows

Chris Hall64 Comments

she walked silently
slowly measuring each step
then she stops and thinks

she gently walks again
listening in the cloisters,
is there someone there?

she turns around quickly
holding her notebook and pen,
but no-one is there

it’s so difficult
when you’re a writer

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

Image credit: Nickola Johnny Mirkovic @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows an arched veranda, where multiple pillars support a high vaulted ceiling. The sun is casting shadows on the wall behind the veranda. At the end of it is a fancy door.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #230 photo prompt

What do you see # 230- March 18, 2024

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

Road to Hope

Chris Hall73 Comments
The image shows a wrought iron gate with the words “the way” written on it. There’s a path beyond the closed gate leading into a tree-lined lane.

Is this the road I should be on
the path I ought to follow?
I feel as if I’ve lost my way
caught up in toil and trouble.

I’m looking for a brighter path,
one filled with joy, not sorrow.
I place my hand upon the gate
but still my heart is hollow.

So many years meandering
I’ve drifted week to week,
but maybe if I enter here
I’ll find the place I seek.

~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Keith Hardy @ Unsplash
The image shows a wrought iron gate with the words “the way” written on it. There’s a path beyond the closed gate leading into a tree-lined lane

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #137 photo prompt

Insomnia

Chris Hall78 Comments
The image shows a woman whose face has black streaks of mascara on her cheeks. She wears a sad expression and has her hands placed on her head.

In the dark hours
the black pit opens
yawning jaws
have intent grim.

Demons lurk
fingers flexing
yellow-bellied monsters
offer their embrace.

Regrets from the past
fears for the future
groping for every
undefined concern.

Breathe deeply
breathe again
for all will be fine
come the dawn.

~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Muhammed Hassan @ Unsplash
The image shows a woman whose face has black streaks of mascara on her cheeks. She wears a sad expression and has her hands placed on her head.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #136 photo prompt

Losing my way

Chris Hall72 Comments
The image shows a winding road, overhung by branches of a big tree. You can see greenery on both sides of the road and wildflowers.


An open road
so many possibilities
but without you
I have no direction.

The way ahead
beckons
but without you
I am lost.

We always trod
life’s path together
but now, without you
I don’t know which way to turn.

~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Free photo
The image shows a winding road, overhung by branches of a big tree. You can see greenery on both sides of the road and wildflowers.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #135 photo prompt

Broken Reflection

Chris Hall65 Comments
The image shows a person holding a piece of broken mirror in which their face is partially reflected.

In those days
when young and impressionable
I pinned my heart and hopes
on false promises
delivered by your silken tongue.


On that day
in the heat of the moment
I was carried away
in rumpled sheets
transported by your touch.


Alas, those champagne dreams
were soon shattered.


You stole a little piece of me
all that’s left
a bitter-sweet memory
a broken reflection.

~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Amine M’Siouri @ Pexels
The image shows a person holding a piece of broken mirror in which their face is partially reflected.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #134 photo prompt

Different Worlds

Chris Hall66 Comments
The image shows shows a well-dressed young man of African descent sitting on stairs. His hands are gripping the railing and he is staring intently at the camera.

living here
in the same building
you don’t stop
we don’t talk

torment lurks within my soul
you just don’t see it

sitting here
alone on the stairs
you’re aware
of my gaze

sorrow lies behind these eyes
you just won’t see it

existing
in separate worlds
minds don’t meet
hearts don’t open

but then, behind the façade
I see your sadness

~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Caleb Williams @ Unsplash
The image shows shows a well-dressed young man of African descent sitting on stairs. His hands are gripping the railing and he is staring intently at the camera.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #132 photo prompt

Summoning the Sun

Chris Hall77 Comments
The image shows two young girls standing outdoors looking at a book which both of them are holding jointly.

our night-time terrors
evaporate with the dew
dispersed by the sun’s first pink rays

greet the day
with sweet voices raised
welcome in the dawn

each new day
let’s summon the sun
with a song
~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Ben White @ Unsplash
The image shows two young girls standing outdoors looking at a book which both of them are holding jointly.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #131 photo prompt

Exercise in mindfulness

Chris Hall71 Comments
The image shows the word ‘Exhale’ illuminated as a sign, embedded in a carved structure.

breathe in (count to three)
breathe out (count to five)
close your eyes
repeat

imagine yourself
on an empty beach
tide coming in
tide going out

breathe in (count to three)
breathe out (count to five)

take yourself
to that place far away
empty your cares
on the sand

watch as the tide
washes over the beach
breathe in, and again
now exhale

~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Matt Barringer @ Unsplash
The image shows the word ‘Exhale’ illuminated as a sign, embedded in a carved structure.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #130 photo prompt

Been here?

Chris Hall84 Comments
The image shows a rotary dial pink telephone, and next to it are cards showing the answering machine messages on different cards. “Leave us a message” , “After the tone” and “Thank you”

Pacing her apartment, she waits for him to call. She stares at the phone, perched innocently on a side table. Wills it to ring. She strides to the window, grips the ledge, her fingers tightening as she views the busy street below. Couples laughing, children running, a solitary man consulting his watch. She turns away. Why doesn’t he phone? Damn him! Puts on her coat, grabs her keys. One last lingering look at the unforgiving phone.

waiting no longer
she slams the door behind her:
the phone starts to ring.

~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Tylor Heery @ Unsplash
The image shows a rotary dial pink telephone, and next to it are cards showing the answering machine messages on different cards. “Leave us a message” , “After the tone” and “Thank you”

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #129 photo prompt