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

Autumn revelations

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Stretch out your hand
Pull me in
Feel the measure of my love
From where it begins

Set deep in the backdrop
Of a brisk autumn day
My love awaits
And it’s there to stay

Once you grasp hold
Never let go
The boughs may break
But I want you to know

That in this life
You can reach me on a breeze
Always there to comfort
And put you at ease

So don’t ever forget
This promise I give
Now take hold of my hand
And begin to live

© 2018 Michelle Cook