Heat

A soft ocean breeze blows across my face

A moment of comfort, mid-afternoon;

A brief reprieve from the hot sticky air

That has lasted past summer into fall.

Birds flying in formations high above

Sand and heat, high above the crashing waves

And footprints made by late season tourists

Sun-burned, sweaty, but in no rush to leave.

I watch the birds, envious of their flight

And the feeling of cool wind on their wings.

Caren E. Salas

Artwork

Sunset colors paint the sky

With hues that glow, and light up

The millions of waves dancing

On a darkening ocean.

Sunflower gold, to poppy

Orange, fuchsia, and purples...

God's brushstrokes command the clouds

So far beyond any dream

In my imagination;

More than any words I write

Or artwork once created.

It is a glimpse of heaven.

Caren E. Salas

photo: William Salas

At the Time

At the time, my heart drove auto-pilot
At the time, my mind knew what to do
At the time, my emotions put their guard up
Blocked the tears, and found the strength for you.

On and on, the waiting lasted hours
On and on, they'd only give us parts
On and on, I tried to smile and stay calm
Knowing you would be fine, in my heart.

At the time, your courage kept me hopeful
At the time, I knew you'd be okay
At the time, there was no time for worry
Holding on to a prayer for better days.

But after all, when I think of what you went through
And after all, when I realize my fears
After all, I'm so glad that it's over
Because now, I can't hold back the tears.


Caren E. Salas

A Question of Life or Death

What if I were dead? I mean,

Like I died and didn't know;

Moving through time unaware

Of my demise and "living"

In a strange purgatory

Of everyday existence.

What if that is all there is?

Oh, I believe the saints go

To heaven to relax by

God's swimming pool and party

With angels, but what happens

To the ordinary schmoes?

What happens to the sinners

Who tried to live a good life

But failed to do all the "right"

Things? Maybe they loved too much

Or too little, missed the light,

Or got lost along the way.

What if I were dead right now?

Would I know the difference?

Is my pain my lot in life,

Or the price I pay in death?

What is heaven? What is hell?

Will I know when I get there?

If there's anyone out there

Who's been there before, let me

Know. What's it like? Tell the truth.

Don't just tell me to believe

Because believing is hope,

But confidence? Sadly not.

Caren E. Salas