February Lamb

Today the grass and sky are shining
In perfect sunny hue
The land soaked clean by Winter's snow
And everything made new.

Today everyone is up and out
The breeze is bracing
Fresh and clean
The birds are busy in hedge and tree
While circling buzzards keen.

Remember this day of brand new life
Revealed from neath it's shroud
With it's promise of new beginnings
And mother of newborn proud

For March is round the corner
With temper hard and stern
Winter's ire has one last blast
Afore the seasons turn.

So when the gales and tempests roar
And the sky's fair face is marred
Remember the day you glimpsed this joy
And let is gladden your aching heart.



Written for my Niece, Dulcie "Hope"

Joe Morriss

Feb 2009

Open Hearted Church

The ever open door

Now firmly closed

Against the rain, against the cold

Ornate, foreboding and set in stone

The gateway to safety,

Beautifully carved

Pleasing to the eye

But heavily barred.

There she lays

On the floor

Just skin and bone

Out in the rain
Exposed to the cold

Giving up hope and left all alone

At the gateway to safety,

Beautifully carved

Pleasing to the eye

But heavily barred.

Is there nothing more

Beyond that door

Than the priest with his crimson and gold?

What about sharing

What about the poor?

At the gateway to safety,

Beautifully carved

Pleasing to the eye

But heavily barred.

That's what we're here for

For those who roam

Who lay in the rain and the freezing cold

They need a welcome

And they need a home

Not a gateway to safety, that's beautifully carved...

But a church that will love and open its heart.

Joe Morriss

January 2010

Silver Cloud

Bright sunlight

Cloud and sunlight

Slate grey water sparkles bright

Silver sunlight

Shines through grey cloud

Full of snow

Topped with blue and white

Joe Morriss

February 2012

Side by Side

So Winter had its long complaint
We sat and waited while it rained
Cold, wet and bleak
When icy wind
Would blow and buffet unrestrained

Then came the time for Spring to break
"About time too!" was our refrain
But no, not so
The North wind returned
And brought more snow instead of rain.

So new shoots poke through
Just as planned
Quite despite the frosted land
New growth on trees
Despite the freeze
Boldly budding, if you please!

The world in white and cold disdain
Of all the sunshine trying in vain
Of flowers emerging from woodland floor
Nothing but mud and slush in the thaw

So springtime smiles at Winter's frown
Sun in the sky and snow on the ground
"Here we are just side by side"
Who should stay
Do you think they'll decide?

Joe Morriss

March 2013

The Lone Gull's Cry

The thundering sea

Cold cascading foam in tormented torrents

Runs in rivulets across jagged stone features

Grey granite edge

Dark dripping and forbidding

The cliff's jaw juts out in protest

Defiant and unforgiving

native birds around it cry

Wheeling and calling plaintively

To the barren sky

And in return from the rocks below

...No reply.

Timeless, the chafing tides

have coursed against this stubborn earth

Surging waves come relentlessly pounding in

Engulfing gullies with their crashing surf.

The sucking swell explores every rent and chasm

And retreats only to return in force

The sea pours in, satisfied that nothing is left unknown

Of this forsaken rocky facade

"Why me god?"

Why the jagged edge, the icy spray?

Why this remote and empty

Wind scoured bay?

The only answer to my cry for reprieve

Comes from a watery sky above the heath

....The lone Gull's cry.

Forlorn of flower or friendly face

"Why have you brought me to such a desolate place?"

The edge of the world

This shattered crust

Like the soul of a man

From whom love is thrust

Hard, unyielding, edged by stone

It stands against the ocean,

Vast, bleak and alone.

Joe Morriss

December 2008

Chasing Shadows

You are helpless in your struggles

And your anger rises fast

Each day the sickness grows within

As you hold onto the past

You fought hard to build my kingdom

And you say that it's not fair

That others who just sat and watched

Are just as welcome there.

But I can soothe your bitter thoughts

And calm your angry fears

If you'll look up from your bloody mess

And cry those gentle tears.

So tell me all about it

Before you turn and walk away

Before all that's left

Is your broken heart

As night turns into day.

The sun will rise to greet you

If you'll only turn and see

Then you won't be chasing shadows,

You'll be following where I lead.

Joe Morriss

February 2013

Reflection on helplessness and failure after trying to "do more" to please God in the face of apparent defeat.