Dans la rue avec vous

How precious is the company of a loved one, when traveling in a foreign land? Andrew and I have been taking pictures and making poetry together for some time now, but it was never until we were thrown into a little bit of "espace etrangere" that I believe it became clear: we rely fully on each other's many talents. More details, in a very special blog, at blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Au Quebec

You worried me,
as we stepped into the middle
of a brand new street of the Old World --
I thought I had lost you in my time ---
but then in a moment's breadth
you returned, heart in hand,
as ever, showing me your prize.
Is it not divine that this river
narrowed at its neck was purposed
so that you could kiss me here
and make me never want to leave?
Copyright (c) 2012 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Our thanks to all our readers/viewers!

Time machine

When Andrew and I visited the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, the first Anglican Cathedral of Quebec, we were overwhelmed by its beautiful stained glass windows and amazing woodwork. But there's more to the story of this famous church than meets the eye: gain a window into history and thoughts dialed into the future, with fabulous pictures, at blog.amynelsonhahn.info

In a wilderness, hope

Never knowing what to find
just behind any unknown corner
or alongside any foreign path,
with only the guidance of yet
untrusted friends and God's bright day,
such mission never faltered,
claimed its prize predestined
and determined where to set its jewel.
There's no steep virtue in ungoverned
pride but solely in the eyes
of those who look to heaven
to inspire them in their ways;
who conscript themselves, when elected,
to fates sometimes delivered cruel.
Copyright (c) 2012 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Change is good

On the first day of our visit to Quebec City, Andrew and I visited La Citadelle, which features a spectacular changing of the guard ceremony every morning. A full band plays, and the regimental mascot -- the goat, Batisse -- is trotted out to escort the new troops to their appointed places. It was a beautiful summer day and -- bearskin hats notwithstanding -- everyone seemed to enjoy the festivities. Words and images galore, at blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Le Royal regiment 22e

None before or since
could scarce have done so well
at marking time succinctly,
rendering the common face a new
gentility and grace, a new
ferocity, as the mascot favors,
love ever endures but punishes most
where have been appointed
its most impressive labors.
You bearclad 22eme, how regal,
how conformed, and none before
and none quite ever since have led
the French anointed.
Copyright (c) 2012 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Chances are

While checking out the massive fields of sunflowers growing nearby, just on our way out of town before we headed for Quebec on our honeymoon, Andrew and I caught a little "golden" inspiration -- and thought about Amy's parents' upcoming golden anniversary. Come celebrate this special couple with us -- in words and images -- at blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Sungazers

Impossible to say,
whether these sun-facing eyes
are those most prized by the artists
of yesteryear -- quite long before
the time the two of you first glanced
each others' way -- but who can surmise
if these fine devices will not
come to my aid. A sun-filled day attended
us, and this day, the field is bursting with love
as are our hearts, replete
and voluminous, catching a nearly
scatterling breeze. One can only
imagine what you two
have begun.
Copyright (c) 2012 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Purple rain

How do we assess, how do we imagine the influences that most affect our lives, that most determine the loves we find? Sometimes it's written on the sky -- and sometimes we have to search within our hearts. Pictures and words, at blog.amynelsonhahn.info -- with love to my new husband, Andrew. More on our journeys, in upcoming blogs!

You send me

into an effervescent dance
and never landing less than
two hands to shake me
loose from my wide-eyed dream;
but you know it's real -- I swear to you,
and in the purple night
I catapult and launch
the stars just where they are
for you, brightest in our minds,
sweetheart, you and I are dancing
as we do in a thoughtless dream --
we're different, and it seems it's true,
you and I are real -- we'll live forever --
send me off a first-class letter saying so.
I never want to miss you
more than a single day.
Copyright (c) 2012 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Generation next

My two nieces, Andrea and Elizabeth, guest-blog and present their finest cartoons for you, mostly ones about their long-haired German shepherd, Vega, and how she gets into trouble. Stay posted for further developments, as I firmly believe the Nelson girls will be the next bloganistas in THIS family! See photos of their cartoons and more about the process, at blog.amynelsonhahn.info

On comedy

What goes up
often comes around;
a smile that drifts through tears
alleviates a frown.
If you can keep a funny face
no matter what the day brings,
you have a gift worth more than gold
despite the winter -- spring.
It may not seem so crucial now,
when everything is bliss,
but years from today your comic sides
will urge, "remember this."
Copyright (c) 2012 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Happily ever after

On July 14, 2012 at 12:30 in the afternoon, Andrew McVeigh and Amy Nelson Hahn became husband and wife. A wonderful celebration with family and friends followed the church ceremony -- please join us at the blogsite in welcoming the newlyweds, and find out news about the honeymoon, coming soon in photographic and poetic form to a blog near you! Scenes from the wedding party and the poem Amy read at the wedding here at blog.amynelsonhahn.info

To My Dear and Loving Husband

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompetence.
Thy love is such I can no way repay.
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persever
That when we live no more, we may live ever.

Anne Bradstreet