Words
I’ve used a million
And that’s quite enough
In my opinion
Yet impulse clings
Urging me on
Even when desire
Has all but gone
Motivation
Just won’t relent
Keeps reminding me
I’m not done yet
And so I get up
And off I go
Waiting for inspiration
To commence the flow
Then wretched time
Steps right in
Stalling the words
Just as they begin
I start to wonder
Will I ever finish
Before my words
Do finally diminish
© 2018 Michelle Cook
The stars stood on standby
Each one wordlessly waiting for a sign
To move their fixed positions
And finally realign
Yet the gesture never came
And so they kept their rooted stances
Waiting in anticipation
For a word from the far expanses
Cynicism made them grow dim
And caused some to fall from the heavens
And those are the few
Who have left considerable impressions
The remainder still wait
In a state of restless apprehension
Biding their time
In the hopes of a fourth dimension
© 2018 Michelle Cook
For a full month of writing prompts, click here! The stars stood on standby
I grew up believing
That poems needed to rhyme
Without rhythm and stanzas
I was perhaps committing a crime
Then one unexpected day
I began not to care
Looking through the window
I was lost in an intent stare
And I realized in that moment
That the rules didn’t have to exist
Even though scholarly persons
Did often persist
I began feeling the pull
To write whatever I wanted
No matter the amount of lines
I couldn’t allow myself to be stunted
So without losing another moment
I began this journey of writing
I gathered my pen and paper
And decided to write something exciting
Each day I became more eager
Than the day that came before
Because now I was participating
In something I truly adored
Nobody could tell me
I was doing it all wrong
For the words flooded my soul
Like an old forgotten song
And I finally remembered
Who I was deep inside
The girl who no longer needed
To be completely qualified
I just needed to express
Everything I’d buried in my heart
And I wish I had done this
From the very start
No longer letting others
Tell me what to do
I followed my passion
And then I finally grew
I learned to stop letting others
Continually hold me back
To take charge of my own life
Even through many attacks
And now I’m happily
Living out my dream
An amazing realization
I could have never foreseen
© 2018 Michelle Cook
Originally written, October 2016
I’ve pondered happiness a million times
And questioned my future all too often.
I’ve wished for a change to bring about fulfillment
And sought greener gardens which are apparently non-existent.
I’ve hoped for a chance to make my life better
And dreamt of a love that could fulfill my wildest dreams.
I’ve waited for contentment in the midst of my tears
And so often I’ve wilted and faded from the effects of my sadness.
I’ve looked for opportunities in the most likely places
And have yet to find what I’ve been looking for.
I’ve been stabbed with daggers of disappointment
And felt the heart-wrenching sensation of a million dreams being ripped from my soul.
I’ve felt jolts of uncertainty hit me on a regular basis
And time has never changed the emptiness felt in my heart.
I’ve spent years dragging my feet on a path that has led to nowhere
And yet I still continue on this journey because I haven’t figured out what else to do.
I’ve lost inspiration and ambition along the way
And found discouragement to be my only true and trusted friend.
I’ve struggled to find meaning throughout the trials of my life
And bitterness still resides within the creases of my heart.
I’ve been unable to look beyond the confines of my shattered existence
And yet somehow I still believe in the life I’m living and have hope for the future.
© 2018 Michelle Cook
Originally Written, December 2016
The swirling veil of waking mist
Was swept aside as morning kissed
The sleeping world that lay below
And waking winds began to blow
She felt it in her heart that morn
A sense of smallness so forlorn
And even as the breeze danced round
The life in her could make no sound
With silent scream and wordless needs
On paper blood red ink she bleeds
And heart and soul she bares to all
Each page a brick in hearts cruel wall
And on the world she leaves her mark
As shadows creep in somber dark
Her poignant words all that remain
Evidence of the life she lived in vain
This is another collaborative poem, and this time I had the pleasure of working with Michael from Afterwards. All of his words are italicized. Thanks so much Michael, for working on this with me. I really love how it turned out. 😉
Her Writing Haven 