Lawrence Hall, HSG
Mhall46184@aol.com

                         The Guard in Her Petite Boots

All visitors and volunteers must be escorted
My assigned minder greeted me with a smile
And didn’t wand me or search me for contraband
Perhaps it was because of my innocent face

She called me “sir” without any sarcasm
And led me through the lobby to the clanking doors
And in her little boots almost danced along
The reception area’s freshly-polished floors

Searching out the warmth-seeking crickets of autumn
And stomping every one of them