Lonely

Every now and then
I feel this word
even though I know
it sounds absurd

But lonely appears
so very often to me
think I might have
a chronic sensitivity

I often feel it’s power
like a magnet from within
the teardrops collecting
underneath my skin

I try to hold them back
But the pull is so strong
and what I know now
I’ve known all along

I let go of all my promises
seems I’m doing it again
this heart can’t help
but let loneliness win

Most think I’m doing great
I can smile like the rest
but if you look beneath
there’s trouble in my chest

The weight of sadness
suffocates my will
keeping me from everything
standing so still

I know I’m not the only one
so the tears I wipe away
burying them inside me
to live another day

© 2024 Michelle Cook


Photo generated by AI.

I still believe

I see God every day;
He’s always there
to brighten my way.

He made all the wonders
of the world,
even down to the tiniest
buds unfurled.

He gave me my life,
and He gave you yours;
He lets us decide our paths
and yet suggests detours.

It’s up to us to find our path
and go our own way,
and like a good father,
there are some things
He doesn’t say.

He lets us choose
whether we go left or go right,
but gives us our inner strength
when a battle arises
that we must fight.

He never promised us
a world without strife,
and He’s shown us plenty
of examples of pain
in His own life.

I think back to when
His most trusted angel turned away,
which reminds me of when
our own children chose not to stay.

The pain and sorrows
are never very far,
but just as a mother,
He still loves us wherever we are.

I can’t begin to understand
all that He is;
I just know that He loves me,
and I am His.

And one day, I’m sure,
I’ll understand more than I do now;
His wisdom will find me
just like the faith He has endowed.

Until then, I just keep trusting
and believing with my whole heart,
and I know He’ll be holding onto me
when at last, I do depart.

We mustn’t lose hope,
even in a world that seems so dim,
so I’m putting all my hope
in the One who’s always been.

© 2022 Michelle Cook


Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/rose-rose-blossom-bud-blossom-5255938/

Shelved hopes

Silent shelved hopes
and bitter tears;
lifeless and disfigured
by mascara smears.

With gloom-wrapped shoulders,
she reaches out a hand,
but the majority pass by her,
and few can understand.

So she sits in stilled anguish,
waiting for a promising sign,
but the world is relentless
and only seeks to undermine.

She realizes she’s a burden,
another rift in society.
And so she sits and languishes
for all she’ll never be.

© 2021 Michelle Cook


Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/homeless-beggar-woman-poverty-cry-3584319/

Writing prompt: A bottle of hope sat on the shelf

I miss my America

I miss my America,
the land of the free
and the home of the brave.
Every day I see sadness,
war beaten faces
from battlefields,
found in my own backyard.
We used to be one nation
united under God.
We were indivisible with liberty
and practiced justice for all.
But how many people
even remember
our nation’s promised pledge.
The allegiance we swore
to the flag of our forefathers,
is a promise we failed to keep.
The roots of our republic
have somehow been forgotten
and the turmoil caused
from present day happenings
has torn the unity
straight from our hearts.
It’s a dishonor to our nation,
but even more so
a disgrace to our God.
Freedom of speech
never gave us the right to ruin
what our brave forefathers
fought to defend.

© 2020 Michelle Cook


Photo credit: Pixabay.com

Wednesday

grass-354737_1280

The clock
Was restless
In anticipation
Of another day

The girl
Was helpless
To keep procrastination
At bay

The work
Was senseless
And wouldn’t
Go away

The day
Was useless
Windy
And gray

The outlook
Was pointless
But she’d promised
To stay

The desire
Was reckless
To find
Another way

The afternoon
Was zealous
Beseeching her
To play

The schoolbook
Was jealous
Begging her
Not to sway

The convincing
Was endless
And she became
Its prey

The pendulum
Was voiceless
With nothing else
To say

© 2019 Michelle Cook