poetry

night walk

/ Ajmorse / Leave a comment

the chill air laps at noses
and it slobbers on paws
and there, a silver sliver moon
during our evening walk

icy puddles shine like diamonds
the ‘don’t-walk-here’ mirror
an owl hoots nearby
come here, come here

the shush-shush of snow on boots
and the sound of passing cars
me: you’re barking at nothing!

no–we’re barking at the stars!

hah. I’m proud of my little sketch. I’m trying to get better. Bought some watercolor supplies the other day.
January almost done! I hope you all have a great week!

AJM

rock star

/ Ajmorse / 2 Comments

is there nothing sadder
than a star
that used to shine

she was a rock star, baby
she sang about being
fine, fine, fine

now she’s in her fifties
her fans have all moved on
she dances alone up the street now

and no one knows her song

shine on, baby girl
she sings
know the stars
that don’t know you

reach for that inky dark
that unfathomable,
impossible blue

shine on, baby, girl
she croons
know the stars
that don’t know you

shine on
she whispers to the dark

her bare feet are turning blue

Have you ever been instantly proud of something you’ve written? That’s how I feel with this one. It started off much different. I wrote it last week. Then I found it again tonight and it all came together. It’s something like magic when words piece themselves together in your mind. It is a bit euphoric. I can’t quite describe it…maybe like how an artist must feel when the right brushstroke hits the canvas, or like a when a composer discovers the right note for a song? (Big, happy, sigh). I could go on, but it is feeling a bit long-winded already, hah.

This one was inspired by a show that I watched, or maybe it was a song. Not sure.

I hope you have a great week,

AJM

labs

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Koda bear likes nothing more
than stretching out across the kitchen floor
and there he lies like time forgot
a chocolate lab
in the most inconvenient spot

I’ve been posting a lot of dog poems lately, and while I should finish up my lastest poetry project, I’ve been toying with the idea of writing a poetry book with dog poems and some short essays. Maybe featuring this chocolate chunk.

Anywho, dogs are adorable and if you’re someone who thinks they are messy and loud and smelly – well, they totally are, but you can’t beat the love from a dog. They love us when we don’t deserve it sometimes. Hope you have a fantastic week.

AJM

once again cold and tired

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I feel old
like creaky leather
an ancient crone
in freezing weather

tomorrow’s Monday
another battle
snow in the forecast
hear my bones a’ rattle

I feel all dried up
earth turned to dust
like a beat-up car
that’s begun to rust

the world has tipped
and warmth is lost
winter bites with hunger
and drools with frost

I was not made for a world of snow and ice. My feet freeze and I need sunshine. If it weren’t for family, I’d live near a beach somewhere. I hope you are all well.

AJM

flying south

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the geese are flying
i watch them pass overhead
they’re heading south for winter
to be somewhere warm instead

i hear them before i see them
honking in the cloud-filled sky
the snap of the air tells them
its that time of the year to fly

my dog Koda woos and barks
when he hears them flying low
they’re heading someplace new now
i look up and watch them go

I accidentally went MIA again…just been busy at work. Everything is just exhausting lately.

AJM

Chocolate and Butterscotch

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To be read as if narrated by David Attenborough

two large
pound cakes

a chocolate
and a butterscotch

wait for more
cakes of their own

disappointed
and convinced that
the next five minutes
are essential to their rate of survival

the cakes keel over
and in a weakened state

they slip into oblivious sleep
and start to snore

Our buds: Koda (chocolate lab) and Teddy (the golden)

Poetry book “Remnants” to be published, but not in December 2025

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So…have you ever started a project, and then you lose steam just when you think you’re sailing smoothly along? Yeaah, so that happened. I am still working on this project, but it will not be published at the end of this year.

Unfortunately, work and health and life have gotten in the way, but to be honest, though, I do feel somewhat excited to have a project to focus on in the winter months…if we all happen to survive by then, of course.

To reiterate…
This is a collection of new material from the last few years exploring the ‘what’s been left behind’ from my college years, who I am now, and the joys and struggles of being an adult. There are themes of feminism, mental health, self-doubt… and some silly poems about the weather, of course.

Look for it soon…publish date, TBD. I might also post less poetry content as I get my ideas together, but that’s a maybe. I feel like there is still a lot to say.

Not final cover. TBD!


In case you missed it, my other poetry book, Walking in Cemeteries, can be found on Amazon here.

the slipper

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he woos, a muffled woo
my slipper stuffed far in his mouth
I pat his brown fur and laugh out loud
and tug it loose
naughty bear
he wags his tail

someday
my slippers will be dry
and right where I left them
and I can’t tell you how much
that breaks my heart

picture for cuteness. Koda bear ❤

Hi friends,

I accidentally went MIA these past few weeks. We went on vacation about mid-August, and well, pretty much hit the ground running once we got back. I can’t believe summer is about over 😫

AJM