Simply Sunday

Sharing a previous post/poem today. Seemed to fit my heart this week. Plus a little music. Hope it encourages and maybe even challenges. ❤️

Same and Different 

How often
in our curious
attempts
to understand
the innermost
workings of
the body and brain
do we forget
the soul standing
in front of us?
Differences
labeled
as deficits
listed in order
of our perceived
preferences-
Yes, good comes
from understanding
but danger arises
when discoveries
serve only to
categorize
without helping us
understand we each
hold a purpose-
Oh, that we
could grasp
our differences
thru the lens
of our sameness

Dust in the Wind. Kelley Morris, piano
Blackbird. Kelley Morris, piano

A Slight Nudge

I see her
Resting quietly
In the middle
Of her nest
Contemplating
As pieces
Of her heart
Sit on the edge
Flirting with that space
Between the known
And the unknown
Ready to fly
But waiting
For one more note
Of encouragement-
Even the slightest nudge
Thought part of the job
Feels like a shove-
At least, to her, it does…

Take a breath, Mama Bird-
They will be ok
And so will you

Simply Sunday on a Tuesday?

I wrote the following poem in a recent poetry circle with Ali Grimshaw. https://flashlightbatteries.blog/ I had planned to share it on Sunday, but a not-so-fun bug made its way through our house and left me zapped. So, Tuesday it is! 😉

Best Baby Life

Your world is growing
So quickly, I can barely keep up
Sweet sleep became
First smiles became
Babbles and the beginnings of words-
Simply sitting on the floor
Watching as you explore
Affords a new kind of joy-
Goodbyes are difficult
They make me sad
Afraid I’m placing
Too much pressure on you
Until I realize you are
Living your best baby life
Reaching, learning, growing
And I am part of your journey
Just as you are part of mine

Stillness

Unaware
I was searching
Looking up
To the wild sky
Surrounded
By towering pines
Unaware
I was searching
Listening intently
To the bird’s morning song
Carried on the afternoon breeze
Unaware
I was searching
Until a stillness
Within the motion
Caught my breath-
There you are!
Aware
I was both
Finder and found

Perfectly Fastened

Can one heart
Have too many
Connections?
I’m not sure
I don’t think so
Can’t think of
Any chords I would
Choose to cut-
Some are stronger
Than others
Some longer
But only a few are
Perfectly fastened
With each beat of my heart
Those are the ones
Keeping me alive
Or rather, making me
Want to be my
Best version of Alive-
I don’t always
See that version
In the mirror
But I know she’s there
Waiting for me
To give her some
Attention

Canvas

Fog rises over
A golden field
Not dense
Holding just enough
Presence
For sunbeams
To paint
Their portraits
Across the hazy canvas-
Temporary
Yet, beautiful
Reflecting
Yet, dissipating
Energy soaked in
Then released
Into another day
Another time
When light and mist
Once again
Cross paths
Creating art
Creating life

Sunshine On My ShoulderKelley Morris, piano

Simply Sunday

Counting

A variety of shades
So generous
No room remains
For counting
Though sometimes
Counting is fun
In this case
Any attempt
Seems futile-
But who knows
Maybe counting
Would serve to
Increase
The imaginings
That accompany
The realization
Of a new sky
On a new day
With countless
Possibilities
Ready and waiting
For our attention

Blues SkiesKelley Morris, piano

Wellspring

I often forget
The depth of the well
And its capacity to hold
The fluidity of feelings
No matter their origin-
Until one sentiment
Rises to the top
Threatening a flood
Before slowly floating
Down, down, down
Once again resting
At the bottom of the well-

What would happen
If the tide was not
Contained
Allowed to spill over
Soaking its surroundings
With grief, joy, sadness, peace…

Perhaps next time
I feel a catch
In my throat
I’ll let all of the tears fall
Then search for my reflection
Along with those of the
Blue sky and green leaves
In the puddle that forms
Beside the tree
Where I choose to rest

Simply Sunday

The Earth groaned
Waking me from
A deep sleep
Is that thunder?
Growing stronger
And louder with
Each passing minute
Until windowpanes
Began to rattle
And floors shook-
Yet, we were
Motionless
Waiting for the ground
To stop moving
Listening
For the rumbling
To fade away
Realizing there was
Nothing else to do
As is often the case-
Life’s unexpected circumstances
Sometimes
The best solution
Is to be still…

We know all about tornadoes in Oklahoma. There are sirens and weather reports. But earthquakes? They provide no warning.

Friday evening, we experienced a 5.1 earthquake. No physical damage, just a little jarring.

A reminder that grasping for control does no good. A life lesson I continue to learn.

”Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed…”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭54‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Nature’s Mirrors

When the Spring tree
Notices its green leaves
Shimmering as it peers
Into the clear blue lake

When the setting sun
Shares its warm glow
Lighting the leafless tree
With its dusky orange

When I see past
The marks of time
And see a bit of you
In my changing reflection

When I see myself
In your sweet smile
And wonder…
Do you see it, too?