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
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
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
The essence of its spirit,
elegant and strong,
left an imprint in the
afternoon clouds
I must have missed
Its graceful flight
Even the breeze was
unable to diminish the
wondrous wingspan or
stifle the sense of awe
captured by the clouds
Only as my journey ended
and I turned toward home,
did the image dissipate,
leaving delicate feathers
to float above the horizon
One enduring message-
Though no longer visible,
my spirit remains nearby-
Only close your eyes
and open your heart
“…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Days when the sun and clouds
clasp hands in such a way
It is nearly impossible to
distinguish billows from blues
Sunlight, bright and warm,
shines on, around, and
through layers of clouds,
stirring imagination-
Today was such a day
After grabbing my attention,
and coaxing a smile, my
thoughts shifted to the
reason for their beauty
The simple sharing of space-
Each taking their turn to
enlighten, offer shade,
or shine a spotlight
Days when we clasp hands
In such a way, it is nearly
Impossible to distinguish
Your heart from mine
Driving away, I saw you
in my rearview mirror.
I wanted to keep looking,
to appreciate and study.
But that was not possible.
Watching the road and all.
So, I smiled, taking note
of your blue feathers
and gentle waves.
Your perfect placement
in the afternoon sky.
I would do my best
to remember, making sure
my eyes remained on the road.
Until I changed direction
and your position shifted.
Gracefully, you drifted,
from behind me,
to be beside me, and finally
directly in front of me.
I followed you all
The Way Home- Grateful
A battle between
light and dark
waged across the
morning sky.
Clouds shifted in
the swirling wind,
tilting the earth,
causing me to wobble.
I felt confused.
For a moment, darkness
appeared victorious,
blocking the light,
lessening its powerful pull.
But light remained,
rays now dispersed.
An influence
so far-reaching, the
horizon glowed a
reassuring golden hue.
Just then, I remembered
yesterday’s rainbow, and
how the sky glowed
following its fading.
Graceful arms propel her forward
Legs gently float behind
Feet periodically kick-
Not forceful, only enough
to maintain momentum
Where is she heading?
Storm clouds line the horizon
She’s passed through them before
Impossible to avoid-
And time, impossible to control
The bright sun warms her face
Grace holds her heart
Mercy lifts her soul
Momentum is maintained
Perhaps the question is not
where she is headed
but instead, how she
sustains a spirit of peace
A gaggle of geese
flying overhead in
perfect formation
A formation of clouds
branching out across
the sky at sunrise
The branches of a tree
securely holding leaves
until their time to fall
Your hand holding mine
filling the empty spaces
between my fingers
Images comparable
in angle and purpose-
open and strong
Unexpected gifts
healing my heart
with their presence
From our very first reach,
we leave lasting imprints
Tiny fingers, tiny toes
unaware of the enduring
impact engraved on
all who hold us close
Choice eventually becomes
part of the equation-
Deciding if what we leave behind
is positive, helpful, encouraging,
or cynical, hurtful, disheartening
Each imprint is personal
an identifying set of
lines and ridges
creating a pattern-
Sacred responsibility
held in every touch
I saw such a fingerprint
in the afternoon clouds-
Lines and ridges
creating a pattern
belonging to the one
who holds the sky
Piano Girl 