When My Mind Is Empty

By Toni Poll-Sorensen

When My Mind Is Empty is my fourth book of poetry. It was written in response to questions about where I get inspiration for my work and when I do my best writing. The answer is the same for both questions. Poems come in solitudewhile walking, observing, gazing, at nothing, and during or after meditation and yoga. Fortunately, we live in a connected world where my phone is usually handy. Each of these poems was written on my phone first.

I know that creativity requires showing up to work at the task at hand, but in my case, spontaneity has become my friend. I require the time and space to reflect and then the words come. Technology has allowed me to capture those ideas quickly; before, like clouds, they just disappear! Perhaps soon I will just dictate into my wrist.

I hope you will enjoy this new collection of fully illustrated narrative poetry. It is my desire that the words and illustrations will stimulate your eye and your ear. I like to call my work accessible poetry because I believe that an integrated approach to the arts provides the reader greater opportunity to interpret the work on his or her own terms. Perhaps you will discover a feast for the eye and ear today or a life lesson for tomorrow.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503558748

Toni Poll-Sorensen

Toni Poll-Sorensen is a retired dancer, choreographer and dance educator turned poet. This collection of fully illustrated poetry is her eighth collaboration with her former colleague and friend Mallory Maria Prucha. Toni is currently a student of piano, acting and yoga. She works as a Commercial Model in Florida and is now living in her dream in a home on the beach. Her goal is to celebrate the next ten years in the happiest and most profoundly physical way possible.

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 by Toni Poll-Sorensen. 709611

Illustrations by Mallory Maria Prucha

ISBN:   Softcover   978-1-5035-5873-1

             EBook         978-1-5035-5874-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 04/07/2015

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CONTENTS

Waiting

Isolation

He Sleeps

Self Indulgence

Death In The Lake

He is Everything

Sunday Afternoon

Shame

Bravery

Snug Harbor

Age Isn’t Contagious

Doubt

Marriage

Blame

Adrift

Walking

Exorcizing My Demon

Vulnerability

When Death Walks Closer

Place Keepers

Happy Holidays

I Need A Sign

Who Cares?

Alone Again

New To The Neighborhood

The Little White Box

This Old Dog Learned New Tricks

Surrender

Dogs

Retirement in Three Parts

Unwanted from Birth

DEDICATION

To my father who taught me to see things and my mother who taught me to see people. And, to both of them who knew the importance of solitude.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am grateful to Nichole Miller whose friendship and assistance in typing the initial drafts of