Poached by an Egg

Finished the last of
the hard-boiled eggs
this morning and
stabbed my thumb --
the shell shards
actually drawing blood.
I never knew
Easter eggs could
be so violent.

Prolonged Germination and Instant Revelation

My latest piece for The Space Between, "Prolonged Germination and Instant Revelation," was posted today, featuring my new poem "Operation Umbrella."  Take a look! 

Crappy Poems About Bathroom Business

Production work on my next chapbook, Bathroom Poems, has resumed. I’m looking forward to releasing a strong batch of poop poetry in early May. Stay tuned!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

real love: standing in
the bathroom while your partner
poops, just to catch up

Operation Umbrella

I woke up this morning
to discover that
I had been living my life
under an umbrella
I was handed
years ago by
clergy, patriarchy and society –
an umbrella that
limited my view of the world,
shielding me
from the sky and the sun,
sheltering me from
fresh air, free thinking,
free movement,
and my assimilation
with others
(and, ultimately, myself) –
an umbrella that
I had been holding
above my head
with my right hand
for thirty-some years –
an umbrella
I held because
someone handed it
to me
under the guise of
"instruction" and
"protection" and
"tradition."
That's what
you do when
someone hands you
something, right?
You hold it?

It wasn't until I
noticed the feet
of someone else
moving in a different direction –
a different pattern
than me –
that I dared
to peek outside
of the confines
of my covering to see
how that person
was able to move
so freely,
so functionally.
The umbrella
got in the way of
my view of that person
and it was then
that I noticed
the pole in my face –
the handle
that had become
such a part of me
that I did not see
it
apart
from myself.

It wasn't until I
became aware
of the umbrella
that I realized
that I was actually
holding something;
that my view had been
almost entirely obstructed;
that I had the use of
only one arm
and one hand;
that there's a reason
I had felt so
tired and frustrated
and limited
along the way;
that I finally lowered
my arm, released
the umbrella,
and threw my head back
to an open sky
and the smell
of possibility.

Jack Ridl releases new collection

I am happy to announce the release of my (former) poetry professor Jack Ridl's brand new poetry collection, Practicing to Walk Like a Heron.  I received my copy in the mail yesterday!  Jack has always been a champion of his students, past and present, and I am thrilled to be able to inform others of his great work.

Poetry: Alive and swell

My latest piece for The Space Between, "One Giant Step for Humankind," was posted today, featuring my brand new poem "One Fine Day."  I wrote the poem the day before Alexandra Petri's provocative piece "Is poetry dead?" was published.  Unbeknownst to me, my poem was written in direct contrast to Petri's controversial post, an applicable commentary of my own.  Poetry begot poetry!  Take a look for yourself.  Heck, draft a rebuttal to Petri's pondering, if you feel so inclined!

Civil Conundrum coverage continues

I was thrilled to learn that our photography/poetry collaboration Civil Conundrum recently received additional coverage by The Leaf Chronicle.  Read all about it here!

Last Week of Civil Conundrum Exhibit

This week is the last week/end of the Civil Conundrum exhibit at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center.  If you've wanted to experience the exhibit but haven't made it to the Customs House yet, seize the day and make your way!  The show runs through Jan. 27. 

Setting the Record Straight, Practically Speaking

Straight women who dress
comfortably and practically
don't dress
comfortably and practically
because they have
"let themselves go"
or because they have
"given up on men."
Straight women who dress
comfortably and practically
dress comfortably and practically
because they want to be
comfortable and practical.

Gay women who dress
comfortably and practically
don't dress
comfortably and practically
because they
"don't want to be women"
or because they
"want to be men."
Gay women who dress
comfortably and practically
dress comfortably and practically
because they want to be
comfortable and practical.

(Two of us in the)

Two of us in the
bathroom: One is grunting and
one is disgruntled.

Fresh Snow, Fresh Start

My latest piece for The Space Between, "I Love Snow," has been posted. I wrote the poem in 2005 for Julie, a close friend since 1993. Take a look!

Civil Conundrum Chronicled

I am delighted to note that Civil Conundrum recently received coverage in The Leaf Chronicle.  I was finally able to see the exhibit at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center in person last weekend.  What a joy to see poetry hanging on the walls of a museum!

(finishing the last)

finishing the last
glass of eggnog with the last
book of the year

(I wonder if you)

I wonder if you
still listen to the Christmas
mix I made in '06.

(Christmas cat)

Christmas cat –
bedside greeting
begins with a pounce

Family Math

At one time,
the five of us
lived in one house.
Over the years,
one house
has turned into
five homes.
Now, a couple
of times a year,
we are all under
the same roof.

Poetry Presents

As the holiday season approaches, remember: my limited edition haiku and poetry chapbooks are available for purchase, as well as the Civil-War-themed prose and poetry anthology Filtered Through Time.  To order chapbooks or an autographed copy of Filtered Through Time, e-mail me at hall_amy_e@hotmail.com or contact me via Facebook.  Stock up on gifts for the poetry lover in your life!

A call for thanksgiving

I am pleased to announce that, after entering East Side Story's Thanks + Giving Prompt contest, my poem Thanksgiving Traffic was selected and posted on the bookstore's Express Yourself page!

(bright Thanksgiving day)

bright Thanksgiving day
drinking eggnog on the porch
sunshine and crisp leaves