dedication

I’m ever happy with you

~ ~M ~ 15 Comments

This life…
It’s full of hardships
and battles we never see coming.

One minute, we’re going along
doing our thing
and the very next moment
we’re left perplexed by the audacity of others.

I like the little bubble I’m living in
but it periodically breaks
when the wills of others smash it to pieces.

I try to hold things together
and stay within the confines
of the happiest place I know.

Maybe others just want to get inside
and dwell in contentment too.

Sadly, there isn’t room for the whole world.

I let some people in
and some I hold captive for a while.

Others stay with me
because they don’t wanna be anywhere else,
and they can never imagine leaving.

Those are the ones I hold fast to with all my heart.

They’re the ones who keep me alive
and save me when the battles begin.

© 2024 Michelle Cook

Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/christmas-background-wedding-couple-7335258/

Memories of you…

~ ~M ~ 21 Comments

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/

The way love is…

~ ~M ~ 14 Comments

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We can love with all we’ve got
And we can give our hearts away
But that doesn’t necessarily mean
That the ones we love will stay

And sometimes there are people
Who just can’t love you back
No matter what we say or do
There’s something that they lack

And maybe it’s because
Some people just can’t see
The importance of a person
Who’d give everything like me

© 2019 Michelle Cook

Imperial units

~ ~M ~ 13 Comments

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Down the line
They made their way
Those imperial units
Marched all day

Duty called
And they were there
As the world slept
Most unaware

Tensions ran high
But they stood brave
Not a single soldier
Dared misbehave

They knew the drill
And worked as a team
Just like a well-oiled
Solid machine

Flinching not
Each straight and sturdy
Awaiting instructions
For their long journey

Always prepared
Formal and ready
Holding their heads
High and steady

Determined and fearless
For the mission ahead
Knowing that some
Would at last fall dead

This was their place
Each determined to strive
For this was the calling
Of their chivalrous lives

© 2018 Michelle Cook

Writing prompt: Imperial units

*Dedicated to my hubby who has given up so much of his life to protect our country.