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

Do you have a muse?

Do you have a muse,
someone who inspires;
do they always stand by you
no matter what transpires.
Do they turn your dull days
into momentous occasions;
do they motivate you
with very little persuasion.

Have you found your soulmate,
the one who anchors your feet;
are they the sort of person
who makes you feel complete.
Have you captured the one
who loves you as an equal;
do they bring purpose to your life
and not another boring sequel.

Do you belong to that someone
who always helps you grow;
are you with the one person
you always wanted to know.
Are you with that one love
you can’t live without,
or are you living your life
full of endless days of doubt.

© 2021 Michelle Cook


Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/fantasy-dream-cartoon-drawing-2521221/

Starry wishes

I sit here all alone
under a bright starry sky,
waiting for a meteor
to streak right by.

And in the twinkling darkness,
my thoughts carry me to you;
you always loved the nights
as much as I do.

I think back to the “us” times
under slivers of a sultry moon;
those moments spent together
always evaporated way too soon.

I remember sharing so much
as the hours lost their way,
never an awkward moment
as we always had so much to say.

The years have all passed by now,
but the memories are still so near;
and I think of you so often,
ever wishing you were here.

© 2021 Michelle Cook


Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/mountain-nights-moon-landscape-5366079/

Regarding life

Life can blow in gentle wisps
or suddenly seize the day
in consternation.
So whenever I sense a billowy riff,
I look to the sky for clarification.
Of course, I realize that many storms
pass without peril,
and there is often radiance
after the rain.
But when a particularly vile storm
causes all the flowers to sag,
I know each one understands me.

© 2021 Michelle Cook


Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/sunflower-flowers-plant-helianthus-4339701/

Meandering thoughts…

As spring bleeds into summer,
I know fall will soon usher in,
and the memories of you
will just become more vivid.
This was your season,
the one my dream foretold.

You were happiest here
amongst the acorns
and the cottonwood trees.
And you never missed a chance
to tell me how it was the song
of your heart.

As more memories flood me now,
I wrestle with the wind
as it disrupts my tears;
a cold hand for comfort
is all it can offer my soul.

The light of you
left my path long ago.
But I still see you
in every golden leaf
that glides my way.

© 2021 Michelle Cook


Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/tree-nature-grass-landscape-4339191/