Morning Glory Poem by Rod Morris

This morning I climbed to a hilltop and gazed at a vista serene.

Unending valleys and forest, the full spectrum of luxuriant green.

The mountains that rose in the distance lay cloaked in a blanket of white,

As warm fingers of sunlight caressed them, they shrugged off the remnants of night.

The quietness of daybreak was broken, as birdsong greeted the day.

As warmth permeated the valleys, it chased the last dewdrops away.

As a giant roused from sleep the earth breaths a sigh, you sense the hum of bees.

Feel the first breeze like a lover's caress, as it softly awakens the trees.


Kauri on high ridges, rimu, rata, standing tall.

Low gullies filled with pongas, maidenhair and waterfall.

The hushed chuckle of a busy stream that hurries on its way.

The chatter of a rolling stone that's overrun its stay.

Golden kowhai blossoms provoke the tui's honeyed calls.

Clematis reach for treetops and rise like snow-capped walls.

While down upon a river flat silver toi toi can be seen.

Their feathered heads sun haloed, curtsy a swift flowing stream.


Overhead white cotton clouds fashion forms that cannot last.

They throw down shadows at the earth, then gently float on past.

These gifts are there for all mankind, deserving our respect.

Let's leave them in their present state, our heritage protect.