Memories and nostalgia are the chills and the warm fuzzies which link us to our pasts. Both are triggered by any number of things: A smell, a sound, a song, the wind, places, cars….you get the idea. Anything can remind us of the people no longer in our lives. Let’s walk down the hall, shall we?
Many of us take our photographs really seriously. We inherited the tradition of lining a hallway with the chain of events we recorded for posterity. Very few know the reason why the hall is important.
As the conduit which brings you from the public, social areas of the house to the intimate chambers, it is very traveled. It offers the opportunity for nostalgia each time we wake and when we go to bed. Both are very important times of the day when we are most likely to entertain the portions of our past which bring fond memories.
In The Hall, you will find how a certain picture captures the attention and sets off a chain of events which all tie to the photograph. It is the quietest part of the day. Listen to the theme song of everyday sounds.
The Hall
The dishes are done.
The laundry is folded.
All the animals have eaten.
In the other room, the box drones
Between odd ads and canned laughter.
The sweeping second hand jerks up
To tick off another minute.
Perfectly stoic
Standing in the hall,
Eyes linger in each of the frames.
First the old, then the newer ones.
Moments captured by the shutter.
Drawing closer, now to look up
At the one with us in it.
The grandfather clock's gotten slow...
The clock chimes the time.
It’s a touch past nine.
The grandfather clock’s gotten slow.
Forgotten are the weights and chains
Until bedtime comes without call.
In the robe and slippers to trudge
Into a moonlit room to wind it.
It is a long walk
Back to the chilled bedroom.
Snuggled under blankets and sheets,
Remembering the warmth they held,
Sought when you had stolen them all.
In those moments, its this picture
Recalled, with us together in it.
210520121827
(c) Ann Marie Dwyer
~~~~~~~~~~
Are you a photo album collector? Do you have the hallway full of framed photographs? What in your house reminds you the most of a time long past? Is Mate a cover hog?
Valentine Logar
/ June 13, 2012Isn’t it strange, I have no hallways in my house and have always hated them. Perhaps this is the reason why.
Well done, sad and telling.
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Red
/ June 13, 2012The hall in this house is non-existent. I have always thought they were a waste of space, but am considering a rather long one in the next house on the second floor.
spilledinkguy
/ June 14, 2012Beautiful, Red.
Although I’m not sure I ‘get’ the liking ‘photography’ thing. 😉
HA! Was not expecting your last question (too funny). Although having your covers stolen is no laughing matter. Not that I would know, of course.
😉
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Matt
/ June 14, 2012Beautiful! Triggered memories of my childhood. Reminded me of the time when I, my dad, my mom, and my siblings lived in the big house of my grandparents which had spacious hallways. Had a lot of fun playing on those hallways… 🙂
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Red
/ June 15, 2012How very fun! I am glad this one was good for you! And I hope you had a very happy birthday!
Tess Kann
/ June 15, 2012Like the poem, Red. Ah, memories.
We had no hallways in our house and few photos. Those we had we solomley put into albums and put away. Put away. Imagine that!
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Red
/ June 15, 2012Ugh. I have loads of albums, but they are constantly at a fingertip’s touch. We flip through them far more often than I allow a newspaper in the house.
Gingerfightback
/ June 17, 2012Funnily enough I like a hall in a house. Cools everything down and gives a sense of space. Bare halls though, no clutter. There you go – thought I would share that with you!
Red
/ June 17, 2012I like clutter-free.