I watch the birds
Flitting around
In my backyard
Each one hatched
From its own egg
With no choice
In the hue of
Its feathers
Or location
Of its nest
Each flying free
Singing a melody
Taking a turn
At the feeders
Happily sharing
Tree branches-
Perhaps there is
A lesson in
Their song
Their flight
Their feathers
A brilliant
Display of beauty
Found in diversity-
I think they are wise,
Those birds-
Not a single one
More important
Than the other
Raindrops and Sunshine
I love those
Rare moments
Where sun
And rain
Merge
Droplets
Twinkling
In sunlight
Dreamlike
Moments
Happening
Before you
Realize what’s
Happening
Moments
Easy to miss
If only focused
On stormy
Gray clouds
Moments
Lasting only for
A short time
And also for
A lifetime-
Raindrops
Cooling
My skin
Sunshine
Warming
My face
Long-Hauler
Missing Coffee
I miss coffee
The rich aroma
In the morning
Waking up senses
Before the first sip
I miss coffee
A sweet flavor
In the afternoon
Conversation over
A cup, hot or iced
I miss coffee
An offering
At the end of day
To share in
Restful silence
I miss coffee
Aroma, flavor
Stolen away
By an unseen
Silent culprit
I miss coffee-but
Memories remain
Conversations flow
Rest still comes
I am thankful
When considering the destruction brought by COVID, coffee seems a small price to pay. So many have suffered major health issues, and many have died. The numbers are hard to fathom. And easy to forget, if not made personal.
This virus leaves lingering effects for many. COVID long-haulers has become a common term. And though symptoms vary greatly, none are pleasant.
I was diagnosed with COVID in January 2021. Everyone in our home tested positive. We all lost our sense of taste and smell to some degree. We all began to get them back to some degree. Then my symptoms took a strange turn.
One afternoon, I noticed a smell of rotten meat. That is the best way I can describe it. There was no rotten meat. Other things began to smell and taste bad. I now have a long list of things I cannot eat or drink, including coffee, chocolate, and most meats. And a shortlist of things I can tolerate.
I hesitated to write about this strange phenomenon. Did not want to complain. Then today, I thought more about why I miss coffee. I’ve always called it my comfort food. My first memories of drinking coffee are with my grandma. Coffee is part of family gatherings. It’s what I offer guests to make them feel at home. And the list goes on.
I am hopeful this will eventually go away, that my senses will return to normal. Until then, I remain thankful for my health in other respects. And I will continue to enjoy London Fog tea lattes-a pretty tasty substitute. Stop by-I will make you one. 🙂
If I Were Made of Glass by Kelley Morris — The Stories In Between
Available to pre-order now is the debut poetry collection from Kelley Morris. Amazon release date for eBook and paperback is June 15, 2021. The eBook will be available on June 8 from the Potter’s Grove store. Click here to pre-order The poems in this collection are reflections and stories of both the beauty and heartache […]
If I Were Made of Glass by Kelley Morris — The Stories In Between
Only two more weeks until the official release date! Just in time for summer!
Simply Sunday
Simply Sunday is back! The last weeks of school were busy! Full of fun, full of goodbyes, full of relief. Being home this weekend surrounded by family is exactly what I needed. ❤
Safe Landing
Family-
Where I land
After a busy day
Good news or bad
Laughing or crying
Family-
Where I land
After teaching
Thru a pandemic
Wearing a mask
Family-
Where I land
In cushioned
Rest-erasing
Any turbulence
Family-
Where I prepare
A safe landing
For those on
A later flight
Spaces
Certain spaces
In this life
Feel empty
Certain spaces
In this life
Look dark
Even though
They are not-
Not completely-
Each of us
Fills the moments
Of our days
Each of us
Fills the span
Of our years
No matter
The length
Of said spaces
Even when
We are alone
Light remains-
Your light
May seem faint
For a time…wait
Allow me
To see it
And together
Our days
Will be brighter
Our years
Fulfilled
Yesterday was the last day of school. The last day of school for a tough year. Teaching and attending during a pandemic created challenges we continue to process.
Certain times of the year felt dark, frustrating. But as time went on, stresses seemed to lift a little at a time. We accepted our new normal and continued to do what we do.
As school ended yesterday, I was not prepared for the tears from students. Uncontrollable crying over the idea of leaving their current teachers.
Teacher friends, don’t ever doubt the influence of your light in the classroom. Even while dealing with our own concerns and fears, students saw lighthouses in the storm.
Now it is time to rest. Time to reflect. Time to stoke the remaining embers and prepare to see those faces smiling back at us in August!
Happy Summer! ❤
Full-Circle Photo
Some photographs represent full-circle moments in life. I received one of those this week from my daughter.
Graduations are a big deal at our house. Times for celebrating with family and friends. Eating cake and opening presents. Looking back and ahead at the same time.
All three of our children graduated from Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Union knows how to celebrate its graduates. The name of each senior is displayed on placards on the school lawn. Balloon drops and confetti cover the sea of red gowns as caps are tossed in the air!
My husband, Gart, was one of the high school principals for our first two. He handed all three kids their diplomas as they walked across the stage. We have a wall of pictures in our living room to remind us of these momentous occasions.
I have not given a lot of thought to other Union graduations since our family’s celebrations. Until this year…
When I began my teaching career at Union, I taught special education. My five years in this field were challenging and life-changing. That was twelve years ago.
My daughter, Rachel, is finishing her second year as a special education teacher at Union. She spent her high school years as a peer tutor in the very same classrooms. The picture from my daughter was taken during graduation practice. She was standing in the middle of her very first group of graduating seniors. Three of whom were in my class in elementary school.
This full-circle photo was a powerful reminder. As an elementary school teacher, I need to picture my students walking across that stage. And as a parent, I need to celebrate the impact my own children make on this old world. ❤
Each Single Spark
Wood neatly stacked
Chilly night air
The lighting
Of the fire
Perfection
First warms
My hands
Then turns
Into a game
Stand with
My backside
As close
As possible
To the flames
As long
As possible
Before running
Back to my seat
Feel the warmth
Spreading thru
My entire body
As I quickly
Sit down-
Content
Gazing
At the flames
A single spark
Catches my eye
I watch until
It disappears
Into the night sky
When sleep comes
I think about
The brevity
Of this life-
Each single spark
Glowing until
It disappears
Mingling
Gentle breeze
Across my face
Carries hope
For a new day
Some days
My mind is stormy
Unable to focus
Thoughts
Jumping
From one
To the other
Lightning bolts
On the horizon
And yet, the storms
Pass with your
Witty words
Our laughter
Mingling with
The breeze
Kissing away
My fears
Twenty-eight years. Sounds like a long time. As far as anniversaries go, I am hoping for twenty-eight more. Through moves, job changes, raising children, illness, even deaths, there has always been laughter mingled with it all. Hardly a day goes by without it. I’m not sure if that’s our secret, but I don’t ever want to take it for granted.
I always say you rescued me. I suppose it worked both ways. All I know is that I’m glad you didn’t let my putting a hand in your face deter you from trying again. 😘
Happy Anniversary! ❤
Unfinished
Surely by now
I should be
Finished growing
I’m certainly tired
And somehow, tired
Leads right to selfish
Question after question
How much longer?
When can I do
Whatever
I want to do?
Seeing the words
On paper
Saying them
Out loud
Makes me want
To erase them
Suck them back in
And yet, they remain
Telling me I still
Have lots to learn
And in turn
Lots to teach-
I saw it in their faces today
Thru smiles and frowns
Unfinished lessons
Unfinished me
This is the point in the school year where I find myself thinking, “Do I have the energy to do this another year?” I am tired and ready for summer. But interactions with students this week confirmed that I am not yet finished. And a time of rest will provide the energy needed to start another school year.
Today I had an arm wrestling challenge with four third-grade boys. Can you say end of the school year? One more week…
Piano Girl 