I find myself swimming
In the depths of your stare
Sometimes I look too long
Completely unaware
And yet you smile back
Catching me and my gaze
Knowing full well
How much you amaze
And I wonder how you do it
How I get so lost in your eyes
All-consuming intensity
The fire never dies
I can always feel you
Even if we don’t touch
It’s like fireworks in my soul
Because I love you so much
© 2021 Michelle Cook
Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/street-photography-in-love-couple-2864021/
I love being wrapped in the
warmth of a summer sun-ray
or doused in the drizzle
of an unexpected storm.
I love waking up to the sound
of a lazy locomotive
or finding myself lost in a dream
holding hands with the one I love.
I love listening to the whimsical
notes of wind chimes
or falling under the spell of a
tranquil, babbling brook.
I love being silly while dancing
and singing my heart out
or laughing til my stomach aches,
tasting my own tears.
I love rolling out of bed early
to behold a sunrise in full bloom
or staying up late stargazing
on a blanket spread for two.
I love feeling the warmth of soft
sand squishing between my toes
or listening to boundless waves
as they break along the shore.
I love witnessing the colorful birth
of a brand new spring season
or gazing upon a baby bird
stretching its wings for first flight.
I love watching the pure
beauty of a fresh fallen snow
or hearing the rumble of thunder
dancing across an amethyst sky.
I love thinking about all these
things, the things I truly love.
The world is such a magical place
when we choose to see the magic.
© 2021 Michelle Cook
Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/storm-thunderstorm-lightning-730472/
It’s easy to relinquish
those timeless devotions
when disappointments
become standard issue,
and the old familiar stack
of unexpected surprises
becomes a thing of the past.
It’s easy to disregard anything
that stops feeling like home
because the heart can’t reside
in hollowed out places,
and it needs a strong binding
to keep it grounded aside a
meaningful attachment.
Intrinsic to human nature,
it’s easy to surrender compulsion
when magnetic forces
end up misaligned;
the resistance is a force of nature
that cannot be manipulated,
for it goes against the natural law.
© 2021 Michelle Cook
Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/spider-web-bokeh-dew-web-nature-2732246/
Sky blue eyes
And a soft squishy belly
Kind warm smile
Often watching the telly
Passionately patriotic
And oh so humble
Hardly ever a complaint
Or any kind of grumble
Lover of his country
A soldier he became
Flying the flag high
In every parade
Talented carpenter
Was his dedicated trade
Whistling while he worked
A lovely tune and serenade
Green thumbed man
And lover of nature
His dedication to God
Should have made him a preacher
Skilled kite maker
And master kite flyer
Practically nothing
Could ever go higher
Lifesaver candies
And minty cigarettes
Things he would one day
Very much regret
Was it black coffee
Or earl grey tea?
As I contentedly bounced
On his never tiring knee
Crackers and sardines
He shared them well
Convincingly trying
To tell me they were swell
Tums for indigestion
He always had a pack
And even though it pained him
His smile never lacked
Rosy red cheeks
And an almost bald head
Read his Bible every night
Before going off to bed
Sadly enough
It’s now been too long
I can’t even remember
His favorite song
He now rests with grandma
Still whistling his serenades
And his kindhearted demeanor
Will certainly never fade
I miss him immensely
He gave me my love for life
But I’m so very thankful
He’s now free from pain and strife
© 2021 Michelle Cook
*This is an older poem, written in 2017. It was written in loving memory of my grandfather, who meant the world to me.
Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/beach-bird-nature-ocean-outdoors-1846694/
Oh why can’t we make love instead of war?
Isn’t love supposed to make the world go round?
And if a thing of beauty is a joy forever
Then where is this everlasting joy?
A soft answer surely turns away wrath
But what ends up taking its place?
I’m always hopeful that love will find a way
And yet the journey of a thousand miles must begin with that first step
I wonder… am I really ready to begin that expedition?
I’ve been reminded in recent days of how misery loves company
And a friend in need is a friend indeed
But if opportunity never knocks twice
Then how did I end up here?
Cold hands are supposed to equal a warm heart
So I’ve been looking for the chilliest weather I can find
But I know Rome wasn’t built in a day
And it seems that time is taking its own sweet time
It definitely takes two to tango
And you can’t teach an old dog new tricks
So where in the world does that leave me?
And don’t get me wrong…
I know you can’t win them all
But people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones
Especially since all is fair in love and war
© 2021 Michelle Cook
* Here’s a glimpse of some of my old writing, all the way back from 2016.
Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/goodbye-kiss-couple-relationship-1441470/
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