Sneezes Are Funny Things

Nothing else can cause a
face to contort so severely
or result in such a variety of
sound effects -- from blow-
me-down bellows to tiny,
high-pitched squeaks.

© 2006 Amy E. Hall

(pink and purple sunrise)

pink and purple sunrise --
a little girl's
dream sky

© 2006 Amy E. Hall

Some Things #2

Some things
silence the
professional speaker.
Some things
stump the
international intellectual.
Some things
paralyze the
confident wordsmith.
Some things
are too wonderful.

© 2006 Amy E. Hall

(First day on the new job)

First day on the new job --
I feel like I'm in the waiting
room at the doctor's office.

© 2006 Amy E. Hall

Some Things #1

Some things
silence the
professional speaker.
Some things
stump the
international intellectual.
Some things
paralyze the
confident wordsmith.
Some things
hurt too much.

© 2006 Amy E. Hall

Dear John

In the bookstore bathroom,
I looked down underneath
the stall divider to peek at
the feet of the woman
on the john next to me.
What would I do if you
happened to be in the stall
next door? Would you
recognize my slip-on sandals
and dark berry colored toenails?
Would I remember your
beautiful feet, a feature you've
prized for years? Would we
debate what to do next while
we flushed our respective
toilets and buttoned our
pants? Would we let our
feet lead the way to a
face-to-face encounter
at the sinks? What do you
say after a year and a half?
What do you say to the one
who caused so much pain,
the one you think about
every day, but never speak
to, as you lather your hands
with soap that can never
wash away the memories?

© 2006 Amy E. Hall

Sanctuary

When I come into
this house, I am at
once greeted by peace
and strength -- the
marks of an everlasting
kingdom -- and reminded
that I belong; why
I am here; why I
live and breathe.
The perfect balance
of rest and might
dwells in such contrast
to the world beyond
Your wings -- a world
void of health,
safety and purity.
It is here that
I find purpose.
It is here that I
feel the clean fire
of life and the
unmistakable love
of the Father,
King of my heart,
King forever.

© 2006 Amy E. Hall

The Past Meets the Present

I attended your wedding with
my new flame. How strange
it was to introduce my new
love to my old love. And
stranger yet to know that
I still wasn't over you.

© 2006 Amy E. Hall

(I've witnessed a feature)

I've witnessed a feature
not often observed --
her teeth.

© 2006 Amy E. Hall

(two writers)

two writers --
one apartment:
movies and music abound

© 2006 Amy E. Hall

Bedtime Ritual

When I'm ready for bed, I
turn off all the lights in the
bedroom and retreat to the
bathroom to read poetry.
I sit on the lid of the
commode and read aloud
as my cat stretches out
on the bedroom couch.
She has already called
it a night. Line by line,
I quiet my heart and
refresh my mind,
purging my brain of
the toxins of the day.
Page by page, I am
reminded that there
is more to life than
industry, rehearsals
and housework. I
shed the obligations
of today and, word
by word, feel sleep's
gentle smile return.

© 2006 Amy E. Hall