living

Stale bread

~ ~M ~ 34 Comments

There’s a trick to mending
stale bread
But not for the kind
that’s in your head

It takes more than moisture
to fix your noggin
Gotta get it out quick
might help to go bloggin

One dried out piece
can cause much strife
Might need to dig it out
with a wedge or a knife

The skull might crack
but the mind won’t fail
Tied to the heart
though it’s not as frail

Once the ration is plucked
you’ll feel much better
Traipsing through life
now unfettered

But a boy who clings
to stale bread
Well in his mind
he’s already dead

© 2026 Michelle Cook

Photo generated with AI

My philosophy

~ ~M ~ 21 Comments

I stopped chasing people long ago
and those who wanted to stay, still remain

I’ve learned that we can’t hold on
to those who need a new view

We can’t stifle the ones
who we thought would stay forever

Every person has one life to live

If we don’t allow others to grow and change
and make their own decisions
then they won’t be able to live
the way they choose

I would never want to hold someone back
from following their dreams and ambitions

In fact, I’d much rather be completely alone
for the rest of my life
than to cause anyone heartache

Fortunately, I’m surrounded every day
by people who have chosen to be near me
and I cherish every single person
who has stood by me through thick and thin

I believe I have the best life
anyone could possibly have
because I’ve let go of those
who weren’t meant for me

© 2026 Michelle Cook

 

Photo generated with AI

Leap

~ ~M ~ 24 Comments

We’re the ones
who didn’t stay,
just kinda wanted
to go our own way.

Those who stayed
are still mostly the same,
and nobody really knows
who we became.

Cause when you don’t stay,
they just don’t know,
and who you were
becomes a distant show.

We took a leap
and found an open door,
and what we discovered
couldn’t be more.

© 2021 Michelle Cook

Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/family-sunset-friendship-friends-2609528/

I once was…

~ ~M ~ 32 Comments

I once was a child
Left broken and battered
Mostly locked away
As if I never really mattered

I once was a small girl
Always searching for a way
To be free from the shackles
That plagued me every day

I once was a young lady
Just wanting to belong
Only realizing my efforts
We’re pointless all along

I once was a grown woman
Looking for a hand to hold
But after a long, futile search
I discovered I’d become too old

I once was an old lady
Holding onto deep regret
Wishing the good Lord
Would just make me forget

And now I’m a crushed spirit
Dreaming of the past
The life I once knew
Just went by way too fast

If only I’d accepted
The life I’d been given
But instead I just looked down
Never really livin

© 2020 Michelle Cook

Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/autumn-hand-leaves-red-puddle-2917472/

Monday musings

~ ~M ~ 8 Comments

lonely-3862214_1280

It’s easy to feel lost
In a world so grand
With thousands of people
Who cannot understand

We’re just one small speck
In a universe so vast
The memory of our lives
Will someday be left in the past

So be all that you can
In this brief life you’ve been given
And don’t ever forget
To spend each day truly livin

Always remember this
It’s never too late to start anew
And try to give everyone in your life
The very best of you

© 2018 Michelle Cook