The Door

The sound and
    the silence--
both equally fraught
    with a moment of terror,
a breath being caught
    somewhere between
the heart and the mind
    not knowing if joy
or despair I would find.

Announcement

Given a gift and
    promised to hold
close to the heart
    not shared...
       shouted...
            told.
A hiccup of laughter,
    a soft smile showing,
Thoughts interrupted by
    the sweet joy--
        the knowing.

Once Upon a Time

Sadness filled the kingdom.
   Toys sat--
Books went unread.
   The princess, who felt quite unwell,
had taken to her bed.
   The jesters and the royal court
did all that they could do.
   They offered treats and games and such--
She whispered, "No thank you."

The doctors of the kingdom
   were summoned to her side.
They said,
  "We're sorry, Princess,
but you'll have to open wide,
   and take this yucky medicine--
It seems the only way.
  For you to feel much better,
you must do what we say."

The princess held her nose
   and with a very royal frown,
she took the nasty-tasting stuff.
   She swallowed it all down.
It took some princess courage
   and a royal doc or two--
But soon she felt much better,
   and this is how they knew.

The other royal siblings
   came to her room one day,
and asked her quite politely
   if she'd like to come and play.

The princess answered cheerfully--
  her voice was clear and pure.
        The smile,
that had been gone awhile,
         returned
      and she said,

        "Shoor."