A Shared Lament


Like unwanted vines
choking a rose bush, it
blocks the sun and rain
until delicate buds,
nearly ready to bloom

Whither and fade-
Their true colors
never allowed to
grace the garden

I would miss your
beautiful colors
even more than
those of the roses

So, let’s face our
grief together, and
let tears fall like a steady
rain, reviving wilted buds

And with open arms
invite others who are
hurting to join us until
we are wholly comforted

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5: 4

Simply Sunday

Trumpeter Swan

Image by Paul Porter


Before taking flight
your snow white wings
gracefully expand
above the water

Scalloped feet paddle below-
An unseen source of
strength supporting
your angelic dance

An unseen
Source of
Strength

Not strength
displayed with
force, but instead,
filtered through grace

Each gesture
a reminder-an
ethereal expression
of eternal affection

Book Cover Reveal

Available March 15, 2026!

A big thanks to Raw Earth Ink! And also to my friend, Bill McCloud, for the following:

“Kelley Morris deciphers cloud shapes as an attempt to understand the world, and her place in it. It’s a comfort read that will bring a sense of calm into your life at a time when we need it the most. Her dialogue with the sky is not done in a naïve manner, but with eyes wide open. Reading her work is breathtaking.” Bill McCloud, author of The Error of the Stars

Winter Wisdom

My breath catches
in the bitter cold

Teeth chatter
Shoulders shake

To escape Winter’s arrival,
I need to move faster
Instead, my motions slow

Besides, there is no escaping
And winter won’t last forever

Merely long enough
to remind me what
is important

Warmth from
a cozy blanket

Steam from a
cup of hot tea

The much-needed
rest that occurs
as I lean my head
against your shoulder

Simply Sunday

And in Turn

Have you ever noticed
how clouds, while providing
shade for the Earth, also
provide shade for each other?

Strange
I never thought of
clouds needing shade

Then I think of a parent,
providing comfort
for their child, suddenly
the one being comforted

Or a teacher, planning
lessons for her class,
realizing her students
may be her best teachers

Like the clouds, our layers
carry such a variety
in their purpose

To give and receive
To hold and be held
To cry while also
drying your tears

To feel the sweet relief
provided by a cloud on
a blistering hot day

And in turn, offer
a cool drink of water
to the one standing just
out of reach of the cloud’s
soothing, reassuring shelter

Not the Only One

Pink lines and blue spaces
pulled me into the day
Inviting my thoughts,
one note at a time

A quiet calling, not
rushed, but encouraging-
Today waits for your melody.

Waits for our melodies-
Whether joyful
or melancholy
Raucous or
Peaceful

So, go ahead, sing
Let your notes float on
the breeze, blending
with others before
returning to you

A new song-
not meant to soothe
every worry, but to
remind us that we are
not the only ones singing

Simply Sunday

Revisiting a poem from 2020. The list of names, already too long, continues to grow. No title this time.

His child, spouse,
sibling, parent-
Helpless, watching
as he lies on the ground

Terrified, he struggles
begging for breath-
A knee pressed
down on his neck

Calling out
Mama!
His cries for mercy
ignored-then silenced

A family left
grieving-
Another name
added to a list

Life, liberty, and
the pursuit
of happiness
denied, destroyed

A weeping world
refuses to look away
A weeping world
will not be silenced

“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.””
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ ‭



Song and Sway

The bird outside my window
sings proudly, loudly
Her message carries
intent and direction

She shows little concern
that I am listening to her song

The evening breeze travels
through a row of pines
Its direction and strength
changing often, paying

no mind as I stand nearby,
listening to its peaceful sway

If only I had the tenacity
of the bird and the breeze
to share my song and sway,
my true self, without fear

Confident, no matter who
stands nearby, listening

A Little Preview

Sharing two poems from my upcoming collection, The Space Between Clouds! Release date March 15,2026!

IN THE CLOUDS

Posed on a calm
quiet breeze
or shouted
in frantic storms
The question remains the same

Do you see me?

My soul longs
to slow down
to be still
Locking my eyes on
The whole of you

Do you see me?

Recognizing the purpose
provided in your design
whether serene or inclement
Answering your question
as you answer mine

Yes! There you are! I see you!

SMILING BLUE

A patch of baby blue
cheerfully smiled,
Good morning
A welcomed greeting
following recent gray
heavy-mist days

Even the sun
attempted a greeting
but its rays produced only
a white glow behind
the lingering clouds-
An overcast day lay ahead

One glance in the rearview
and there was that smiling
patch of baby blue
reminding me of you-
Your smile, even in passing
always a welcomed sight

Forever remaining close
Even if the day is long
Even if the day is gloomy
Even if I’m simply wishing
for more time with you