I continue to be amazed at the connections near and far created through blogging and am grateful for all who take the time to read and reflect. And I have a favor to ask. If you have not already, would you consider purchasing my first poetry collection, If I Were Made of Glass?
Friends, family, and my WordPress community, I am thankful for you! ❤️
Fifth-grade girl: Mrs. Morris, I am going to bring you some poems I wrote. They are about love.
Me: (Reading her poems.) She’s right. Love is unpredictable. 😉
Fourth-grade girl walking to the library to return her book. I notice that the book she is holding is my book.
She smiled. “It’s a good book, Mrs. Morris.”
We snapped a cute picture. She made my day!
Kindergarten student: Mrs. Morris, we are coming to see you tomorrow! You better be prepared!
Students drew pictures while listening to a Mozart piano concerto. Here are a few of my favorites from fifth grade. ❤️
Teaching is hard work. This week had its challenges. But I am choosing to focus on the ones that made me smile.
Although I am their music teacher, many of my students are aware I write poetry. Last year, fourth graders had a unit on poetry. I shared some of my poems with their teachers to use however they liked. The connections that occurred were precious.
Students began to ask about my book that was being published. Wanting to know if they would be able to buy it at the book fair. 😉 I assured them there would be copies in the library to check out. They were so excited! I would give each of them a copy if I could.
One day after school, a fourth-grade girl handed me a stack of small notepaper. She had been writing poems and wanted to share! Another day in music, one of her classmates, a boy, shyly handed me a folded piece of paper. “Here are some poems I wrote.” He quickly walked away.
Over the following weeks, I had several conversations with these two young poets. They eagerly shared their writing, and I happily celebrated them.
One of the students traveled to Mexico before the school year ended. I hope she will return next year. The other is transferring to a new school. Brief but powerful connections for me, and I hope for them.
I asked permission to share one of the poems. This young man is confidently referring to himself as a poet now. No more hiding. It is a beautiful thing.
green is for happiness
which means that
trees have happiness
within the leaves
another green that gives
good vibes is grass
that swerves with the breeze
I don’t know about you, but I was impressed! I am going to miss this young man next year. I hope he keeps writing.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095DRCXNH/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_10SVGW2ZKGD56QHABRXV
https://pottersgrovepress.com/product/if-i-were-made-of-glass/
Yesterday marked three years since I began this blog. And today marks the official release day for my first poetry collection! I continue to be amazed at the connections I’ve made through this WordPress family. So many creative and supportive spirits. I am glad this has become a part of my journey.
I must say a big thank you to my husband, Gart. I clearly remember him saying, “Have you ever thought about starting a blog?” It seems many rewarding things in my life began with him asking, “Have you ever thought about…?” He has a way of seeing things in me and helping me have the confidence to pursue them.
And, of course, thank you to River Dixon for taking a chance on me! I am honored for my writing to have a home at Potter’s Grove Press.
Available now in eBook and paperback. The debut poetry collection from Kelley Morris. If you are interesting in supporting Amazon alternatives, the eBook is available at the Potter’s Grove store. (paperback coming soon) The poems in this collection are reflections and stories of both the beauty and heartache of life and death, family, friendships, and […]
If I Were Made of Glass by Kelley Morris Release Day! — The Stories In Between
Update: The paperback is available on Amazon today! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095DRCXNH/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_10SVGW2ZKGD56QHABRXV
Also check out https://pottersgrovepress.com/product/if-i-were-made-of-glass/ The ebook will be available there tomorrow!
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!
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!
The feeling of being
Lost-alone-not sure
Which way to go
Is most unpleasant
I remember being
Separated from
My mom once in
The grocery store
A few minutes
Felt like a
Frightening
Eternity-
Other times
I absolutely
Was not lost
Knew right where
I was headed
And yet, that same
Feeling from
The grocery store
Seemed to creep in
Completely
Engulfing me
Perhaps it was that
Still, small voice saying-
It’s ok to change course
Go an unfamiliar way
Yes, it might be a
Little scary at first
But possibilities
In newness
Are endless
This coming June will mark three years since my first blog post. The idea of putting my thoughts out there for anyone to see was a little frightening. I’m glad that fear didn’t stop me.
I continue to be amazed at the connections created with people from all parts of the world. And even though different from close friends and family, they brighten my world just the same.
June also brings the release of my first poetry collection. I am still pinching myself. Thanks to River Dixon of https://thestoriesinbetween.com/ and Potter’s Grove Press, it really is happening! Not available for order yet, but for info about the book, check out the following link.
https://pottersgrovepress.com/product/if-i-were-made-of-glass/
I hear her laughing
As if it was
Yesterday
Sweet, innocent
Belly laughs
Heard mostly
From happy babies
Which is funny
Because she
Was not always
The happiest of babies
At least, in
The beginning
Until I became
Happier, a more
Relaxed mom
Or maybe
The opposite
Is true, maybe
Her laughter
Came first
It’s a funny thing
Laughter-
When seen
As well as heard
It changes everything
From the inside out
To the outside in-
Come to think of it
Her grown-up laughter
Has the same effect
I am a little late to the game. This is Day 6 of Global Poetry Writing Month. Click here https://www.napowrimo.net/ for more information and prompts.
Today’s prompt: Go to a book you love. Find a short line that strikes you. Make that line the title of your poem. Write a poem inspired by the line. Then, after you’ve finished, change the title completely.
“Laughter is sunshine, it chases winter from the human face.”
Les Misérables, Victor Hugo
I don’t know where to begin. Yes, I am aware that sounds cliché, but it is the truth. Maybe I should write it out in its simplest form…
A collection of my poems is set to be released this summer! If I Were Made of Glass.
The contract has been signed. I have seen a sneak peek of the cover idea, done some proof-reading, exchanged ideas-but it continues to feel surreal.
I am grateful to River Dixon of Potter’s Grove Press and www.thestoriesinbetween.com for this opportunity. His creativity and insightfulness are a gift. I am honored to work with him.
This truly is a dream come true. I cannot wait to share more details. Stay tuned! ❤
Attended school until
The eighth grade
Not uncommon
For one born in 1923
Help was often
Necessary at home
Especially having
Elderly parents
Who needed care-
Married young
Babies came quickly
A full house of her own
But she was not
Uneducated as
Circumstances
Might suggest-
An avid reader,
Always a book in hand-
A thirst for knowledge
And meaningful conversations-
Needed to know the meaning
Or correct spelling
Of a word? The one to call-
I suppose you could say
She was self-taught-
If only I could
Call her right now
And tell her
How proud I am
To be called
Her granddaughter
Piano Girl 