Quit?

~ ~M ~ 37 Comments

I can’t be happy
I can’t be sad
Every mood
Feels chaotic and bad

I can’t change
I can’t stay the same
This dilemma I have
Is really quite lame

I can’t go away
I can’t stay
I just can’t have anything
My own way

I can’t know
I can’t forget
But I CAN
just quit!

© 2023 Michelle Cook

*This drawing is my attempt at illustrating just how awful I felt a week ago when I started back to school. I had registered for too many classes and felt completely overwhelmed. After dropping a couple of my classes, I feel like I’m back on track with my goals. And I’m feeling excited again and eager for the challenge ahead.  ~M 🙂

The worrywart

~ ~M ~ 38 Comments

Worried about the future
Worried about the past
The worrywart’s worries
Make him such an outcast

He dwells incessantly
On things that bring demise
Every potential threat becomes
Something to analyze

The rest of the world just goes on
Rolling their logical eyes
As the worrywart frets
Becoming panicky and paralyzed

It’s a sight the regulars can’t handle
A disgrace to the sensible ones
But the worrywart still worries
Pleading for help from anyone

And then the worries start to spread
Like a disease that infects the mind
Although the worrier means no harm
The repercussions are still unkind

Then more worrywarts abound
Born of dread and social fear
And life becomes a disastrous mess
As the worries fill every ear

From coast to coast and sea to sea
The endless cycle spreads
And now we’re all just worriers
Wishing we were dead

© 2023 Michelle Cook

*The drawing is my own attempt at creating a worried warthog.  I wanted to do something silly for this one and make it as unrealistic and absurd as possible.  So if you haven’t laughed yet, I guess I’ve failed miserably.  But if you’re at least smiling and shaking your head in disbelief, then I guess I’m doing alright.  😉 ~M 

Time to choose

~ ~M ~ 40 Comments

My mind draws a blank
as the new year looms;
what will happen,
I can only assume.

I’ve a mixed bag of emotions
sitting on my lap;
if some of them spill out,
I might just snap.

I know there is so much good
about to unfold,
so I keep looking at the ground
and do as I’m told.

Don’t question the process,
is what my thoughts say;
eventually, this wary feeling
will start to go away.

But with nobody to talk to,
my mind is in a haze;
still, I try to prepare
for this new life phase.

I’ve got nothing to lose
but everything to gain,
and saying goodbye to the past
will help me stay sane.

So, goodbye, I say
to another mixed year.
Freedom awaits;
the odds are very clear.

I’m adjusting my sails,
waiting for the wind
to prepare my course,
and then descend.

I pray for transformation
even though I don’t pray
and, hopefully, a shift
will come my way.

Clearing the dust,
looking for new views,
now’s the perfect time
for me to choose.

© 2022 Michelle Cook

*The drawing is my own attempt at creating a mixed bag of emotions.  Fingers crossed that none of my emotions spill out over the coming year. 🙂 ~M xo

Christmastime blessings

~ ~M ~ 29 Comments

Christmastime blessings

Magic is oft found
Neath blankets in firelit rooms
Christmastime blessings

© 2022 Michelle Cook

*The drawing was done by yours truly. I think the practice is helping. Merry Christmas everyone! ~M xo

Christmastime

~ ~M ~ 41 Comments

Christmastime

Strings of white lights
Strung all around
Soft petaled snowflakes
Falling to the ground
Joyous carolers
Spreading musical cheer
Everyone reminiscing
About another great year
Wide-eyed children
Gathered round each tree
Meeting with Santa
And sitting on his knee
Secret mistletoe kisses
In candlelit rooms
Red poinsettias
Never failing to bloom
Warm eggnog cocktails
And bobble-filled wreaths
Celebrating a season
Full of many beliefs
Garland draped windows
With snowy white scenes
These are the memories
From our childhood dreams

© 2022 Michelle Cook

*I’ve decided to start doing more drawings to go with my poems.  I don’t draw nearly enough and I feel like my skills need improving.  So… I am going to do a weekly drawing and write a poem to go with each one.  I guess by deciding this, I’m sort of starting my New Years resolutions early,  What do y’all think?  Any other ideas for how I can improve my drawing skills while still keeping up with my poetry? ~M