beauty

The boy

~ ~M ~ 14 Comments

The boy lived
With the hopes of wine
Something soothing
Something sublime

The boy hoped
For the love of her
Something different
Something sure

The boy loved
All the ease she brought
Something beautiful
Something sought

The boy eased
Into the life she rendered
Something exquisite
Something surrendered

The boy lived
Without the doubt he’d held
Something changed
Something expelled

The boy doubted
All the world would see
Something splendid
Something free

The boy whirled
With the joy he’d acquired
Something unexpected
Something required

© 2023 Michelle Cook

Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/nature-people-autumn-boy-couple-2941085/

Glum?

~ ~M ~ 28 Comments

Look out your window;
what do you see?

Certainly, birds must be chirping
so cheerily.

So why can’t you
do the very same?

Look up at the sky
and adjust your frame.

Focus on the view,
take it all in.

Find the joy
where it’s always been.

© 2022 Michelle Cook

Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/photoshop-young-woman-sky-field-4405807/

Midsummer’s day

~ ~M ~ 32 Comments

There’s magic to be found
on this midsummer day;
quiet reflections prevent it
from skittering away.

Gilded rays of light
affectionately dance;
it seems almost as if the sun
is looking for romance.

The rippling river responds,
flowing joyously round the bend,
sweeping along sparkling waters
which seem eager to descend.

Dainty green grasses dot
the edges of the stream,
always the perfect place
to curl up and dream.

Breath held deep,
eyes shut good and tight,
yet even behind closed lids,
the sun still shines so bright.

The larks seem unbothered,
flying straight overhead,
collecting more fluff
for their soft downy beds.

Cracking an eye
at the snap of a stick,
a pudgy little lizard
scurries away so quick.

Lifting to lean,
face cupped in hand,
fighting the obligation
to get up and stand.

Gaze suddenly caught
by unexpected delight,
endless rows of sunflowers
stretching towards the light.

Energized by excitement
as more wonders abound,
amazed by the brilliance
while looking around.

Every curiosity of nature,
free for all to share,
nothing else in this life
can ever compare.

© 2022 Michelle Cook

Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/trees-riverbank-summer-nature-6541315/

Sanctuary of love

~ ~M ~ 19 Comments

As the day drifts by,
I sit alone,
lost in the land
of blackened stone.

But the air is clear,
and the sky is blue,
and it’s the glory of this place
that sees me through.

If I’m stranded knee-deep,
stuck in regret,
this is my chosen place
to toss my net.

Then I sit and wait
for my mind to lift;
a gentle breeze
allows my thoughts to shift.

My quest for answers
consumes my brain,
but sitting here stills
what my body can’t tame.

Then I forget the years
and the people I know
and allow the earth
to choose where I go.

Whispers of peace
tickle my ears,
reminding me to let go
of all of my fears.

And the day carries on
as I jump to my feet,
seeing the good
in everyone I meet.

Blessed for the time
I’ve had in this place,
a sanctuary of love
filled with grace.

© 2022 Michelle Cook

Life, will I ever?

~ ~M ~ 25 Comments

Life,
it moves us along
at record speed.

I try to dangle
delicately,
occasionally letting
my feet scrape
against the ground.

And as I swing under
my beloved canopy,
I notice the poor old oak
has seen better days.

Brittle bark scatters
like tarnished snowflakes,
and the bough dips
against the weight
of my sways.

But do I stop?

No, I continue on
in careless destruction,
marring my protector
all while biding my time.

I’m still a child; after all,
I do not recognize
my mistakes;
will I ever?

© 2022 Michelle Cook

Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-swing-playground-trees-6722023/