A Portrait in Words | A One-of-a-Kind Gift

Whether you want to commemorate a special occasion or honor a loved one, a commissioned poem is a meaningful, personalized keepsake. Applying my poetry skills, intuition, and empathy to capture the essence of a person or occasion is a true honor for me.

While many people say they don't “get” poetry, it’s the thing we turn to for momentous occasions — weddings, celebrations of life, presidential inaugurations, even the Olympic games! Here’s a sampling of the kinds of custom commissioned poems I offer:

• Weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and graduations
• Celebration of life or memorial
• Commemorate a beloved pet
• Mother’s or Father’s Day
• Gift for spouse, parent, sibling, adult child, best friend, or mentor
• And more—I'm happy to discuss your unique occasion and vision 

Length, style, and cost

• Commissioned poems are between a half and full page.
• I write in free verse, usually not rhymed. My style is accessible and informal.
• Pricing varies by topic and length. The range is typically $200-300. 

1. Intake: I'll schedule a time for us to chat, then follow up with a quote.
2. Proof: Once you approve the quote, I’ll deliver a poem proof via email by the deadline (typically two weeks).
3. Approval/revisions: Need some minor edits? One round of revisions is included in the original quote.
4. Final delivery: I'll email your final poem as a PDF and mail you a copy printed on high quality white paper.

Poetry has been a source of joy, comfort, challenge, and endless mystery since I penned my first awkward verse at age 13. I’m continually amazed by its power and nuance—how it connects us and expresses thoughts, memories, and feelings in a way no other forms of writing can do.

Over the years, I’ve honed my craft in critique groups and workshops, and I have been published in many journals and anthologies. I'm currently working on a chapbook manuscript.

Kelly composed the poem, "Noble, Brilliant, Kind" to commemorate Bruce. Those were three words I often used to describe my husband. Although these words might seem unrealistic and glorifying, it was generally known in our community that they were apt descriptions for Bruce. It warmed my heart to see those words as the title of this beautiful poem.

As it happens, Bruce and I had talked together about nature, and particularly trees with falling leaves, as offering a metaphor for the continuity of birth and death, which is the reason we planned to feed our apple tree with his ashes.  . . . This theme of continuity was beautifully reflected in the images of Kelly’s poem. The references to the “sky as always blue,” and ”a frosted moon that is only briefly eclipsed, an irrevocable light” especially move me, even now, three years after Bruce’s death.

—Debra Harrow, Artist