Ever since…

A sliver of sunlight was all he had as he sat on the cold, stone floor. But the warmth of that thin ray was all he really needed to recall that last day with her. Cowering in the corner of the scanty room, he closed his eyes and allowed his mind to drift to her. She was the only comforting thought he had now, and his memory carried him to the last place they’d been before the world turned upside down.

They’d been sitting in a sunny field surrounded by wildflowers; she’d woven daisies into the shape of a crown and placed the arrangement atop his head. He could still remember the playful look she’d given him as she proudly crowned him king of her heart. Then, in turn, he’d reached down to pluck a dainty flower that was nearly in full bloom and tucked it gently behind her ear. The gesture caused her to giggle, and that sweet melody was a song he’d held onto ever since.

© 2022 Michelle Cook


Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/hand-daisy-flower-finger-302802/

Writing prompt: A sliver of sunlight

Redneck Rodeo and Pink posies

I’ve sat here all day,
racking my brain;
with a prompt like this,
I may go insane.

But this is what I’ve been given,
words that will never inspire,
and I’m feeling quite desperate,
might need to conspire.

© 2021 Michelle Cook


Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/wildflower-girl-meadow-pink-1031520/

Writing prompt: Redneck Rodeo and Pink posies

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

Creepy crud and Elmer Fudd

I just want to get lost
in words I can feel,
immerse myself in things
that are anything but real.

No more creepy crud
or boring Elmer Fudd,
I need to escape into a world
that isn’t such a dud.

I want swirling galaxies
to come sweep me off my feet
and imaginative stories
where I can actually feel the heat.

Bring me to exotic places
where anything can exist,
show me all the things
that you know I can’t resist.

Lead me to a world,
one I’ve never known;
let me see your universe
and make it all your own.

© 2021 Michelle Cook


Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/gothic-goth-fantasy-cosmos-galaxy-3623555/

Writing prompt: Creepy crud and Elmer Fudd

Salty succotash and pencil toppers

Pencil topper stew
just wouldn’t do,
but that was all she had
to feed her crew.

So she went to the store
to buy some beans,
but the brand she wanted
were all bursting at the seams.

So she thought for a minute
about what to do
because bursting beans
would need some sort of glue.

The corn looked good,
so she settled on that,
and then she went home
and put it all in a big vat.

By early that evening,
she had an amazing brew,
and even though a tad bit salty,
it was still a hearty stew.

Her kids were all grateful,
and with tummy’s filled to the brim,
they all settled down
to watch some Grimm.

It wasn’t very long
before the kiddies all crashed,
so she nestled them in their beds
while they dreamt of succotash.

Before long, it was her turn
to finally drift away,
catching the midnight train to dreamland;
she was at last gone on a holiday.

© 2021 Michelle Cook


Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/candle-extinguished-smoke-wick-2358276/

Writing prompt: Salty succotash and pencil toppers