writing

Whimsy

~ ~M ~ 2 Comments

Oh, whimsy,
where have you gone?
It’s been ages since
you’ve played along.

Am I getting too old,
or are you just hiding?
You and me should be
rendezvousing nightly.

What do you say—
get back in the swing
of being quirky
and impractically keen?

Let’s make love in the margins
and let the world wonder,
while the adjectives you inspire
pull me under.

I want to be silly, impulsive,
and unrealistic—
maybe even a little queer,
but still artistic.

Come to me, please,
and be mine once more.
You’re the one word
I’ll forever adore.

© 2026 Michelle Cook

Photo generated with AI

Will I have done enough?

~ ~M ~ 18 Comments

I’m trying to be better about reaching out,
to be more intentional with my words,
but oh, how I fail miserably.
There is never enough time
for every person I love
and for every person who loves me.
I wrestle with being able to give enough of myself,
but at the same time,
I’m trying to save some of myself just for me.
Oh, what a predicament!
One day, I will be done trying;
my body will at last wear out,
and I’ll be lost to the wind,
scattered on some sorrowful breeze,
on some unexpected lonesome day.
Will I have done enough?
Maybe it won’t matter
because maybe in the grand scheme of things,
I am just me — a tiny particle of dust
who doesn’t stand a chance
of making any difference at all.

© 2025 Michelle Cook

Photo generated with AI

Disappointments

~ ~M ~ 6 Comments

We never expect that dreams will fade
but somehow, they always do.
And the only way to fix those dreams
is to eventually dream anew.

Disappointments are never fun
life is much more than just a game.
Yet sometimes hearts and minds disconnect
and things just aren’t the same.

We can feel empty, defeated, deflated
as time begins to wear us thin.
And as much as we don’t want the changes
we’re often forced to begin again.

We can’t always see all the positives
even though they’re not that far.
In the meantime, we might just have to sit alone
and be happy with who we are.

© 2025 Michelle Cook

Photo generated with AI

You just be you

~ ~M ~ 13 Comments

You just be you,
who cares what others do.

At the end of the day,
they’ll be gone anyway.

Then you’ll be left alone,
another day unknown.

Because none can ever tell
where you inwardly dwell.

That’s the fun of being you,
even if your secrets are few.

Just be happy you exist,
and go on and be remiss.

Your life is yours to live,
you don’t always have to give.

© 2025 Michelle Cook

Photo generated with AI

Little Leaf

~ ~M ~ 23 Comments

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Little leaf blowing
Near the roses in my yard
A thing of wonder
Though most disregard
I love to watch you
Scamper and prance
Free from your branches
You’re finally able to dance
I often wonder why the world
Seems to forget who you are
I suppose most are more interested
In all the bright shiny stars
But to me you’re a thing of beauty
As you bring life to my dreary day
And I’m so very grateful
That you are never far away

© 2017 Michelle Cook