Expecting Unexpected

Morning drives
Typically, uneventful
Leave at a certain time
To arrive at a certain time
The same certain time every day-
Despite the routine
Most days my heart hopes
For the unexpected
And when it appears
It is always in the same spot

How does that still count as unexpected?

Grazing quietly
In the field
Looking up quizzically
As I drive by
Or hopping through the grass
Showing off fluffy white tails
Any number of soft brown deer
Passing on a surprised smile
An audible gasp
Pure unexpected joy

Another poem from a recent poetry circle. ❤️

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

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

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

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?

Life Lessons

Will you push me on the swings?
Oh, please, please, please!

Ok, just once!


A tiny taste of the magic
That is flying up to the sky
Magic not diminished
When gravity pulls you back
Your only desire
To do it again, and again, and again-
There won’t always be
Someone to give you a push
But that’s ok because
Life has lots of lessons
And this one is important!

Kick your feet out
In front of you
Just as you’re about
To touch the sky
Pull them back
Repeat
Do it again, and again, and again-
Pretty soon
Your imagination
Will carry you
Wherever you wish to go

Still no sunshine…maybe next week. ☀️ Sharing another poem from a recent poetry circle.

Another Day

The sunrise blushed
A sweet pale pink
Hint of innocence
Not the crimson red
Flush of embarrassment
Strange to think
In the color scheme of things
Those shades are not
Very far apart
But when it comes
To matters of the heart
They are on opposite
Sides of the wheel-
Perhaps that blushing sunrise
Prepared me for
The gray days ahead
Bashfully saying
Don’t forget me
You won’t see me for a bit
But I promise to return
As soon as the foggy mist
Has had its say
And moves on to another day

Ready for a little sunshine here in Oklahoma! 💛

Simply Sunday

Good for the Soul

Evenly spaced rows
Of gently waving wheat
Wonderfully wound
Bales of hay
Equally sided cubes
Childhood toys
Labeled with letters,
Numbers and pictures
Ready to be
Neatly stacked
Then knocked over
Only to be
Stacked again-
Little hands reaching
Sleepyhead resting
On my shoulder
Comforting weight
Beneath the rise and fall
Of sweet slumber-
Calm exists within
The routine
On any given day-
Whether passing by
Or sitting in the center