Care Packages

What the Moon Thinks

2012-02-17T14:30:00.000-08:00

What the Moon Thinks

Shining down on a dark and lonely world

I seek the lovers and children below

Dreamers who reach up to capture my glow

Will find only empty night in their grasp

I light up the path home, guiding the lost

Secrets are hidden in shadows I cast

Even the tides must obey my command

In my honor, the mermaids sing sweet songs

Some think there's a man in me, you can know

When my love, the sun, reflects on my face.

Caren E. Salas

photo by Eugene Ireland

Wednesday Poetry Prompt by Robert Lee Brewer

The End

2012-02-09T17:01:00.000-08:00

No moving forward

No going back, or U-turns

No changing my mind

No right or left, up or down

No help in sight, just the dark.

Nothing but silence

No spark of inspiration

No questions allowed

No dreams left, within my reach.

No more options, a dead end.

Caren E. Salas

Photo: roadtrafficsigns.com

Robert Lee Brewer's Wednesday Poetry Prompt: a dead end poem

The Last Page

2012-02-04T23:11:00.000-08:00

The last blank page of my journal seemed so
Naked inside a book filled with scribbles
And stickers, magazine pictures pasted
Next to fortunes from cookies, random quotes,
A hospital bracelet, thrift store price tags,
A magic playing card: the King of Spades,
Stolen from my magician friend, my love,
Thoughts, frustrations, secrets, memories, words,
Mistakes made, dreams yet to be realized,
But with this poem...my journal's complete.

Caren E. Salas

Photo: http://uncomfortablemoments.blogspot.com/2011/01/dear-diary.html

The "Lawn"

2012-02-02T08:52:00.000-08:00

I'm okay, holding it in

Keeping myself together

Distracted by surroundings

A breeze blowing in the trees

Clouds in the sky, a bright sun

The green grass beneath my feet.

But then I see the faces

People I love, family

Friends, the tears, the memories

Start to flood into my mind

Finding escape through my eyes

Until I can cry no more.

Caren E. Salas

photo by http://laist.com

This Glass of Wine

2012-01-29T12:51:00.000-08:00

This glass of wine can't erase
The day I've had. It only
Makes my head a bit fuzzy
And my eyelids heavier.
This glass of wine can't make it
All go away or keep me

Together when I'm falling
To pieces. I sit alone
Feeling like life committed
A hit and run, leaving me
Hurt, bleeding, with nothing but
This half empty glass of wine.

This glass of wine can't erase
The day I've had.

Caren E. Salas

photo by http://inbalancemagazine.com/2011/05/

Unstoppable

2012-01-11T16:29:00.000-08:00

I'm a little behind in my posting. Last week was my birthday, I was out of time for a bit and then I caught a really lovely cold which has made me a little..fuzzy in the head. (oh, I know, what else is new, huh?) Anyway, last weeks prompt from Robert Lee Brewer was to write a poem about an unstoppable force. At first I thought of all the things in my life that seem to get me down, things that stop me...but then I thought: Really? I'm still here. Despite my desease, my crazy life, the drama of having teenagers, several literary rejections etc, etc. I'm still here. I'm unstoppable. Faltering is not stopping, as long as I keep trying, right? There's a great line in the movie "Soul Surfer": "I don't need easy, I need possible."

Unstoppable

Some things are unstoppable:
Time passing, growing older,
My desease taking over,
Taxes adding, always more,
Friends passing, life goes on.
Life goes on, and I'm still here.
Maybe I'm...unstoppable.

Caren E. Salas

Old Tricks

2011-12-31T14:21:00.000-08:00

Robert Lee Brewer's latest Wednesday prompt was to write a "new start" poem, and as I thought about the new year, my thoughts were drawn to the fact that "New Years' Resolutions" are really pretty futile. About the only thing I can hope for is to just close my eyes, take a deep breath, pray...and leap.

Old Tricks

I feel like the proverbial "old dog":

The one who can't learn a new trick, looking

At the new year expecting to find hope

And excitement, having no idea

How to actually make that happen.

My old tricks have proven unsuccessful,

And I scoff at the new philosophies

Designed to make me believe in myself,

When that's not the problem. I can believe

All I want, but my world has other plans.

I take a step forward, but I stumble,

I'm tripped, distracted, or derailed, often

All at the same time. My ambition aims

Higher than my energy lasts; my will

Constantly beaten down by a desease

Both exhausting and unpredictable.

So every day I start over, every

Year I dive in, not knowing if the pool

Is filled. Will I splash or crash? "Cannonball!"

I cry, an old trick, but still my best one.

Caren E. Salas

If Anything

2011-12-05T22:07:00.000-08:00

Day 30: The final challenge!! Write an "against all odds" poem.

If Anything

If I had said no,
If I hadn't been feeling
As well as I did
Had anything been different
I never would have met you.

Caren E. Salas

My Brother

2011-12-05T22:03:00.000-08:00

Day 29: Another 2 for Tuesday. Challenge for today: a day time or an evening poem. In my case, it's kind of both.

My Brother

My brother lives an ocean away
Measured in time, sixteen hours ahead
When I'm saying good night, he's starting his day
My brother lives an ocean away
He went to visit, but decided to stay
He had fallen in love, that's what he said
My brother lives an ocean away
Measured in time, sixteen hours ahead.

Caren E. Salas

A Moonlit Story

2011-12-05T21:55:00.000-08:00

Day 28: A _____ Story. Write a poem with this as the title. (ie: A Toy Story, A Love Story etc.)

A Moonlit Story

Starry night
You and I gazing
At the moon
Dreaming dreams
Sharing hopes for tomorrow
Praying love will last.

Caren E. Salas

Teddy

2011-12-05T21:40:00.000-08:00

Day 27: a Tribute poem. I couldn't really think of anyone I wanted to write a "tribute" about, not that I don't know some awesome people, but many of their stories are not easy to put into words, There was one..(okay, not really a "person") who meant a lot. So here is a fibonacci about a special bear.

Teddy

Her

Bear

Teddy

Everywhere

She went, he went too

Until she got the puppy.

Brown

Fur

Matted

Over years

Of hugs and kisses

Now cold and in the closet.

Caren E. Salas

A dream

2011-12-05T21:10:00.000-08:00

Day 26: Write a "good old days" poem. I wasn't quite sure what to do with this one, but I thought about what I would consider to be the "good old days" in my life and realized that when I was doing theater, I had so much fun and I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. (That's me in "A Chorus Line" 4th from the right.)

A Dream

A million years ago when I
Was younger and healthier
I sang songs and danced on stage.
I can still hear the applause
And feel the heat of the lights;
Almost feels like I dreampt it.

Caren E. Salas

Thanks to Robin Harrison for the photo.

Black Friday

2011-12-05T20:46:00.000-08:00

Day 25: a "consumption" poem, something having to do with consumers, consuming etc. Definitely a no brainer on this one. My personal experience here, sadly, haha.

Black Friday

My sleep is still not quite right, having stayed

Up until midnight to stand in a line

Only to find another line at least

Twice as long upstairs. Two hours later

Despite having made friends with the shoppers

In line with us, I was tired of it all.

And then the final blow: a mere ten feet

From the cashier, a sales person announced:

"If you're waiting in line for the lap top,

We're all out." Really?? I tried not to cry.

Caren E. Salas

Photo: http://myblack-friday.com

Thoughts of Love

2011-12-05T20:33:00.000-08:00

Day 24: A "gathering" poem. When I started thinking about this one I thought about all the thing that could be "gathered" like thoughts, leaves, people...so many random things. It only seemed natural to write a "blitz" poem. It's a fun form of poetry that's really like a train of thoughts. I just hope I remembered all the rules. :)

Thoughts of Love

Gathering leaves
Gathering thoughts
Thoughts of you
Thoughts of yesterday
Yesterday's hope
Yesterday's dreams
Dreams in the dark
Dreams and visions
Visions of sugarplums
Visions of tomorrow
Tomorrow we start again
Tomorrow we decorate
Decorate for Christmas
Decorate for the holidays
Holidays of old
Holidays with family
Family gatherings
Family makes us crazy
Crazy in the head
Crazy people shopping
Shopping til we're dropping
Shopping for Christmas gifts
Gifts of the Magi
Gifts that are homemade
Homemade chicken soup
Homemade cookies
Cookies with milk
Cookies to share
Share with others
Share your love
Love yourself
Love your neighbors
Neighbors at the door step
Neighbors having parties
Parties for the holidays
Parties to celebrate
Celebrate the day
Celebrate with friends
Friends and family
Friends forever
Forever in our memories
Forever in love
Memories
Love

Caren E. Salas

Day Trip

2011-11-27T20:34:00.000-08:00

Day 23: a "travel" poem. Like they sometimes say: the journey is half the fun, or even all of it. The writing is sometimes most of the fun too. This is a challenging form, a pantouin.

Day Trip

It took the whole day for that two hour trip
The morning was bright; we were ready for fun
We stopped at a drive-through for something to sip
With miles to go, we had only begun.

The morning was bright; we were ready for fun
We saw fields of flowers and picked out a bunch
With miles to go, we had only begun
Near a California mission, we looked for some lunch.

We saw fields of flowers and picked out a bunch
A rainbow of colors so lovely to see
Near a California mission, we looked for some lunch
We wandered through shops and he held hands with me.

A rainbow of colors so lovely to see
There were blankets and hats and ponchos to buy
We wandered through shops and he held hands with me
At a cafe we shared a small slice of pie.

There were blankets and hats and ponchos to buy
We considered staying and watching a show
At a cafe we shared a small slice of pie
The hour grew late, and we had to go.

We considered staying and watching a show
But our bodies were tired and our wallets were thin
The hour grew late, and we had to go
Looking forward to being back home once again.

Caren E. Salas

photo: californiadaytrips.blogspot.com

My Lovely Zucchini

2011-11-23T14:32:00.000-08:00

Day 22: Another 2 for Tuesday - my choices: a poem about a fruit, or a poem about a vegetable...what to do, what to do... Since I'm playing with forms, this one is a monotetra.

My Lovely Zucchini

Sometimes you're big, sometimes you're teeny;
I think you're delicious, even though you're quite greeny.
I love you alone, or with some linguine
My lovely zucchini, my lovely zucchini.

Caren E. Salas

Photo: http://stephanielessmueller.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/zucchini-bread-americas-test-kitchen-style/

Your Smiling Face

2011-11-23T14:15:00.000-08:00

Day 21: Start with the phrase "Whenever _____", fill in the blank. Decided to try a different form for today's poem. It's called a Triolet.

Your Smiling Face

Whenever I see your smiling face

My troubles fade; my heart is light.

You send me to a happy place

Whenever I see your smiling face.

It's like I'm flying in outer space,

And everything will be all right.

Whenever I see your smiling face,

My troubles fade, my heart is light.

Caren E. Salas

I Dreamed...

2011-11-21T10:28:00.000-08:00

Day 20: Write a "best ever" poem. I decided not to write in any particular form. In fact, the whole thing is like one long run-on sentence, but it's about a dream, and isn't that what they are like? Believe it or not, some of what's in this poem are from actual dreams I've had...well maybe not the monkeys (in case you were worried about my sanity).

I Dreamed...

I dreamed of you...

And then I flew like I was swimming
And all my friends were there
And the sky was filled with purple clouds

And everyone had ice cream.

Then I started doing jumping jacks
Completely in the nude
But no one really noticed me
They all went on their way.

And the monkeys on the swing-set

Screeched, and clapped their hands
As if to say,
"Yeah, you're okay."

Then I was backstage for a play
But I didn't know my lines
And I had to find a basket ball
For the second scene.

And I started quoting "Juliet"
But they were doing "Mame."
But no one seemed to realize
The blunder I had made.

And the monkeys in the audience
Screeched, and clapped their hands
As if to say,
"You'll be okay"

And I saw you

And then I flew and you were with me,
And we were there
And the clouds were cotton candy
It was the best dream...
It was the best dream.

Caren E. Salas

Photo: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/photos/monkeys/#/spider-monkey_719_600x450.jpg

Lies

2011-11-21T09:58:00.000-08:00

Day 19: Inspired by Elvis, Robert Lee Brewer's prompt for the day is "suspicious minds"...all righty then.

Lies

Lies make me question
Every word you say to me
Every time you say
You're somehwhere and you're not there
Makes me wonder who you are.

Lies make me doubtful
That I've done all that I can
And I lose my faith
In myself as much as you
And that's a sad place to be.

Caren E. Salas

Ya' Snooze, Ya' Lose

2011-11-21T09:47:00.000-08:00

Day 18: Write an "It's Too Late" poem. This one is for my kids. I love you, but you better get out of bed on time! :)

Ya' Snooze, Ya' Lose

He wakes up and shuffles to the kitchen

Pajama bottoms, shirtless, eyes half closed.

He yawns and scratches his shoulder, opens

The fridge. He looks up, "What's for breakfast mom?"

I smile and put the last of the dishes

Into the dishwasher and wipe my hands

"Well," I respond, "there was bacon and eggs,

But that was two hours ago and now...

Sorry, but all that's left is cereal.

It's like I always say: Ya snooze, ya' lose."

Caren E. Salas

Photo: en.wikipedia.org

Never Heart

2011-11-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

Day 17: A "revealing" poem; something about revealing or being revealed.

Never Heart

Hidden in the dark;
Locked up tight, distant, soundless.
My heart beats secrets
Which can never be revealed,
And must never be betrayed.

Caren E. Salas

Once Upon a Sleepless Night...

2011-11-16T16:34:00.000-08:00

Day 16: prompt - Start with "Once Upon a ______", fill in the blank and make that your title. Go from there. All righty then...

Once Upon a Sleepless Night

Once upon a sleepless night
I turned on the TV,
But info-mercials were
The only shows that I could see.

I stumbled to the kitchen,
To the fridge to get a bite;
Sadly not much food inside,
So I just turned off the light.

Back in bed, I tossed and turned
And prayed the night might bring

A minute or two of sleep before

My alarm began to ring.

Caren E. Salas

Photo by Caren E. Salas

Love Hurts

2011-11-16T08:42:00.000-08:00

Day 15: Two for Tuesday - a Love or Anti-love poem. I'm not sure which this is...sometimes (not all the time, thank God) it's just the truth.

Love Hurts

Love
Hurts
Sometimes;
Killing dreams
And happy endings,
And breaking hearts along the way.

Caren E. Salas

Horror Movie

2011-11-16T08:17:00.000-08:00

Day 14: A "deadly" or "dangerous" poem. Oooooh, fun. In thinking of all things scary, I started to think of today's average horror movie. Most people that know me, know I'm a fan of the classic monster movies: "Dracula" with Bela Lugosi, "Frankenstien" with Boris Karloff and all those early black and white films. I know a lot of people like today's slasher movies, and hey, whatever floats your boat, but really, the victims are not the brightest light bulbs in the box. So with that thought....a narrative, in tanka form.

Horror Movie

Late night, home alone

A howling sound, heard outside

The storm is raging

And bad news! The phone is dead!

No one will hear if you scream.

And then, a pounding

At the door makes your heart stop.

You slowly get up

And walk over to the door.

Opening it, you look out.

Seeing no one there,

You step out into the rain...

Where a big monster

Eats you up alive, because

YOU ARE TOO STUPID TO LIVE!!

Caren E. Salas

photo: (Blair Witch Project) moviemaker.com

Small Kindnesses

2011-11-15T14:50:00.000-08:00

Day 13: Write a poem about kindness. This was hard actually without being too cliche, but here's my try.

Small Kindnesses

The room is grey. There is no
Day or night. Time just passes
With no beginning or end.
His eyes peer out from behind
Folds of skin, worn and wrinkled,
Waiting for someone to care.

A cold metal tray holds mashed
Unrecognizable food.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, doesn't

Matter which; it's all the same.

All freedoms and joy are gone,

Except for small kindnesses.

For a while, every Wednesday

She came, a girl dressed in white.

Her gentle voice calmed him some;

Her patience and compassion,

And especially her smile.

Kindnesses... from an angel.

Caren E. Salas

photo http://www.ncadvocates.com/pa-nursing.htm

The Black Hole (part 2)

2011-11-14T07:53:00.000-08:00

Day 12: a poem about "excess". Whenever I think of excess, I think about our garage which has been an ongoing project since...forever. Every time I think I'm getting ahead of the junk, it seems to multiply. Maybe I should have used this for Day 11's poem about math. I know somewhere in this blog is another poem about the Black Hole that is my garage, hense: "part 2". Maybe some of you can relate.

The Black Hole (part 2)

My garage,
Just like a black hole,
Sucks things in.
None comes out.
If only I could launch it
Into outer space.

Caren E. Salas

Internet Arithmatic

2011-11-13T12:59:00.000-08:00

Day 11: A poem about numbers or math.

Internet Arithmatic

If Joe has thirty-six friends
And twelve go on a road trip
To destinations unknown;
Then five more move to Europe,
How many friends does Joe have
Left? All of them. Facebook - Duh!

Caren E. Salas

I am NOT Your Chew Toy

2011-11-10T16:28:00.000-08:00

Day 10: A different perspective poem. The challenge today was to write a poem from the perspective of someone or something else. I couldn't resist being Whiskey for the day. I often wonder what he thinks, because he seems to think he's a tough guy. He'll get right in the face of the big dogs as if to say "Yeah! Whataya gonna' do about it? Huh? You wanna piece a me??" He's so fierce. (Only he's Christian Siriano "fierce", I'm afraid.)

I am NOT Your Chew Toy

A little respect, friend

If you don't mind

While you're back there sniffing

Around my behind.

I may be smallish
And my teeth might be bad
But I can still - um, bark
So buddy, don't make me mad!

Age before beauty

Isn't that what they say?
Well, I'm old but I'm feisty
Don't believe me? Let's play!

I'll run circles around you,

You lumbering brute!

And on top of it all

I'm pretty darn cute!

I'm not your new chew toy,

And I'm not a big rat.

So show some respect,

Or else I'll call the cat.

Caren E. Salas

Wrong or Right

2011-11-10T09:11:00.000-08:00

Day 9: Today's prompt "____or____". Fill in the blanks.

Wrong or Right

Is love a matter
Of black or white, wrong or right?
Can you help yourself
When deciding who to love,
Or are we all hopeless fools?

Caren E. Salas

Paralysed

2011-11-10T09:04:00.000-08:00

Day 8 of Robert Lee Brewer's Poem a Day Challenge (Two for Tuesday) Paranormal or Normal. Are you kidding? Like I would pick "Normal"?? I'm a Ghost Adventures fan, for cryin' out loud. I want to be locked up with Zac Bagans!! Clearly, my choice is....

Paralysed

Awoken from a nightmare
My surrounding eerie, still,
Too quiet for a full house.
I hardly breathe, my heart pounds
And my hands are trembling.
Was that shadow there before?

As I check the locks, a chill
Crawls up my back and across
My face; my eyes grow larger.
Alert to every subtle
Sound, I'm frozen in the dark,
Paralysed by my own fear.

Caren E. Salas

Photo http://ghosthuntersofamerica.com/links/index.htm

Can't Wait

2011-11-09T11:32:00.000-08:00

Day 7: prompt - a "what won't wait poem. I started thinking about waiting. What do I hear "I can't wait" about most lately? Christmas. Some of us never really grow up when it comes to Christmas.

Can't Wait

Can't

Wait

Christmas

Is Coming

Children are counting

Every moment, every hour.

Each

Night

Dreaming

Santa Claus

Bringing them presents

And leaving them under the tree.

Caren E. Salas

Lost

2011-11-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

Day 6: An addict/addiction poem

Lost

Lost without the high
He wandered the streets alone,
Family, home, all gone.
I'd rather be dead, he'd said.
Be careful what you wish for.

Caren E. Salas

The Glue

2011-11-07T10:13:00.000-08:00

Day 5: A "broken" poem. Something or someone that's broken.

The Glue

Tiny crystal ornament
In the shape of a scallop's
Open shell, broke right before
My eyes.Memories of past
Christmas trees I hung it on
Faded, but we looked for glue.

I cleaned the dust of seasons
Stored, and propped it carefully,
Dabbing it with adhesive.
It's back together now, but
What I want to know is where
Is the glue that will fix me?

Caren E. Salas

News

2011-11-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

Day 4: Write a poem about finding something unexpected. I decided that finding out something unexpected would work too. Have you ever wished you'd never picked up the phone?

News

I stood, holding the telephone, speechless
And numb, your words cutting, chipping away
At my heart, crushing it into rubble
Like rocks in a quarry; my hopes falling
Away in an avalanche of debris
And tears, unable to respond, or breath.
The silence between us, suffocating.
I stare out the window at overcast
Skies, and wonder if the sun will come out,
Or if the stars will forget how to shine.

Caren E. Salas

Sort of a Dog

2011-11-05T20:25:00.000-07:00

Day 3: Write a poem using "sort of_______" filling in the blank. When I started to write this I looked down at my little dog and thought "You're sort of a dork!" The problem is I'm not sure he knows he's a dog.

Sort of a Dog

He's sort of a dog

But more like a friend

Sometimes forgetful

But true to the end.

He thinks he's a puppy

Loves to play ball

Runs with the big dogs

Barks at the small.

In my crazy life

He's so much a part

My sort of a dog

Owns all of my heart.

Caren E. Salas

This Wasn't It

2011-11-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

Day 2 - an epigraph poem. This is a poem inspired by a specific quote, shown under the title but before the body. Gotta' love Groucho.

This Wasn't It

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it." - Groucho Marx

The place was a dump, the service was bad

The food was the absolute worst that I've had.

The company, boring, and so was the show

At last I got up and said "I have to go!"

"I have an appointment, or maybe a date,
Or was it a manicure? Whatever! I'm late!"
I ran out the door, but the valet was gone.
It appeared that my car would be pinned in 'til dawn.

I got on my cell to call for a ride,
Debating if I should go wait back inside.
But the thought of returning was too much to bear.
I knew that I just had to get out of there!

I've had many evenings with friends, having fun,
But sadly, I'd have to say, this wasn't one.

Caren E. Salas

Photo: chicagotribune.com

Making Time

2011-11-02T14:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the official start of Robert Lee Brewer's November Poem a Day Challenge. In theory, I'll be posting a poem everyday this month in response to prompts provided on his website. Usually it's not the writing part that's hard (I carry a notebook everywhere!) it's the posting that I get behind on. So, here I go. Be sure to check back now and then and see what's new!

Day 1: A Procrastination or Pro-active poem - Don't you love when people say "you have to make the time" like it's something you can just whip up in your spare time?

Making Time

Take an hour, here and there
A half a dozen minutes
A dash and splash of seconds
Combine together and stir.
Use it immediately
Because you know...it won't last.

Caren E. Salas

Teresa

2011-10-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

When we first moved into the house we live now, there was an older lady who lived across the street. She had suffered with polio as a child and was confined to a wheelchair, but that didn't stop her from living. One warm day, my kids and I were outside eating Popsicles and she was out watering her garden. We took a Popsicle over to her and you'd have thought it was made of gold. I don't think she cared about the pop as much as the company. After that we spent more and more time getting to know her and she became our adopted "Grammy." She even signed birthday cards that way. When she passed away, we knew a member of our family had died. Shortly after there was an estate sale, and as much as the trend these days is not to keep "stuff", sometimes items do have a meaning beyond their material value.

TERESA

The cut crystal jar that was always filled

With a never-ending supply of mints,

You know, those red and white disc-shaped candies...

It was empty now, and I picked it up

Knowing the crowds of pickers had no clue

Of its real value, to me anyway.

The candy was gone, as gone as she was.

Standing in the midst of it all, I cried

Remembering the taste of peppermint

But only tasting the salt from my tears.

Caren E. Salas

What Counts...

2011-10-12T11:21:00.000-07:00

Seven pills every morning,

Not including pain control
Four more pills to take at night,
Every week: three injections,
And two patches. Therapy,
Doctor visits, tests and labs.

Twenty-four hours, seven days,
A man who loves me, four kids

Call me "Mom". Two turtles, fish,

And my little dog, Whiskey.

If you ask, "Is it all worth it?"

I answer in one heartbeat.

Yes.

Caren E. Salas

photo by William Salas

Anemone

2011-10-06T08:08:00.000-07:00

Weightless fingers reach,

Touch, taste, beautiful and yet
Dangerous, clinging
To the rocks; it lives between
Salty sea and jagged shore.

A gentle slow dance
Swaying with the tide's constant
Ebbs and flows, living
Its life in the shallow pools
Unaware of my presence.

Caren E. Salas

Late

2011-10-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

Missed again.
One phone call too short
And a few
Minutes late.
Opportunities vanish
Til some other day.

Caren E. Salas

Moments

2011-09-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

There have been moments,

When everything was perfect;

The planets aligned,

And the worries of the world

Evaporated away.

Those moments in time,
I'll remember forever,
Like yesterday's dream
Or my hopes for tomorrow,
Kept safely inside my heart.

Caren E. Salas

Waiting

2011-09-07T13:26:00.000-07:00

I'm always waiting;

Waiting for a better day,

Waiting for more time,

Waiting for more energy,

Waiting for a miracle.

Hoping I'll wake up

One bright morning feeling good
And feeling rested
And the planets will align

And everything will be fine.

I have to believe

In my heart, to keep going

Hoping and waiting,

Dreaming I will dance again

And the wait, will be worth it.

Caren E. Salas

(Salvador Dali - The Persistance of Memory)

Why am I?

2011-08-26T12:52:00.000-07:00

Eyes
Wide
Open,
Why am I
Awake at this hour
Lying alone in the darkness?

Caren E. Salas

The Magic

2011-08-17T10:58:00.000-07:00

Show me the magic,

Give me reasons to believe

In the illusions.

Tip the hat and wave the wand;

Maybe make me disappear.

Show me the magic,

And say "Abracadabra!"

I'll pretend it's real.

Please don't tell me your secrets;

I really don't want to know.

Show me the magic

Let glitter float in the air.

Take me far away

From this ordinary life,

And into an endless dream.

Caren E. Salas

*Robert Lee Brewer's prompt: an "escape" poem

For my friend, Eugene Ireland (Magic Castle)

The Fight

2011-08-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

Thoughts spinning,

Twisting, choking me,

Attempting

To spill out

Like blood, draining my body

Until I can't breathe.

Sanity

Waning as each word

Struggles out

Of my soul,

No matter how hard I try

To keep it inside.

Caren E. Salas

Photo: http://www.aug.edu/

Empty

2011-07-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

Empty

Tequila
One shot, two, then three
Drowning stress;
Troubles blur
And fade until my head hurts
And my stomach aches.

Just one more
Hoping for comfort
Finding none;
All I have
Are empty bottles and dreams
I never reached for.

Caren E. Salas

Note: This was inspired by a prompt from Robert Lee Brewer's website "Poetic Asides". The prompt was to write a poem having to do with something being empty. Don't worry friends, it's not autobiographical. Well, the bottles are ours, but it took a long time and lots of salt and ah...I better quit while I'm ahead. Suffice it to say, I haven't given up and don't ever plan to. If any of you do relate, talk to me. Really. No, really.

Giants

2011-07-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

I've been struggling a bit lately, but thanks to Robert Lee Brewer and his website, I was inspired to write this. It helps of course that we recently took a trip to Yosemite National Park (one of the most beautiful places in the world). The prompt was to write a poem from the prospective of a "group", people, animals, organisms, inanimate objects etc. I immediately thought of the giant redwoods in the Mariposa Grove. So here it is.

Giants

Only the wind knows
The secrets we have hidden
Deep within our cores.
Whispering to the breeze, we reach
To the sky and scrape the clouds

Until tears begin
To fall down. Down to the ground
Seeping into roots,
They are drawn up through our souls
Quenching every last needle,

Delivering life
As we spread our branches wide
And embrace the sun,
Watching over the world with
Eagles and angels alike.

Caren E. Salas

Don't

2011-06-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

Don't make me feel beautiful,

I just might get used to it

And then there'd be no living

With me. I might actually

Start believing it myself

Dreaming the thing I can't know.

Don't make me feel beautiful,

Because then I might expect

To feel that way again and

You may not be able to

Deliver, and I will wait,

Hoping for what I can't have.

Don't make me feel beautiful,

Because feeling's addiction

And withdrawels will kill me.

It's temporary madness

Certain to destroy my heart,

Reaching for what I can't be.

Caren E. Salas

I am Fine

2011-06-20T10:29:00.000-07:00

The sun shines

The days are passing

I am fine.

No, really

But the shadows never fade

They linger on me.

I am fine

No, really I am.

Life goes on,

So will I

But the memories take my sleep

And turn it to tears.

Life goes on

For everyone else

Every day,

Not for me

Waking up to an echo

Instead of his arms.

Every day,

One day at a time

Is too much.

Be patient

While I pick up the pieces

Of my broken heart.

Caren E. Salas

For my friend, Kessa. I can't imagine how you feel, only how I would. Love you.

Homecoming

2011-06-16T20:03:00.000-07:00

You walk to me
I hardly breathe
I try not to let it show.

You've been so missed
We hug and kiss
I don't want to let you go.

We stare a while
Was that a smile?
I know it must feel odd.

But I'm relieved
You're back with me
One more reason to thank God.

Caren E. Salas

(This was written in response to Robert Lee Brewer's prompt: "a welcome poem". This is dedicated to those who wait at home for those who serve our country.)

Photo: abcnews.go.com

Jupiter

2011-05-25T10:19:00.000-07:00

JUPITER

Violent red and orange storms

Skies on fire

Endless winds.

Nightmare poison atmosphere

Surface void

Lifeless world.

Europa's heart beats frozen hard

Stone cold rock

Empty moon.

Violent storms.

Lifeless world.

Empty heart.

Jupiter.

Caren E. Salas

photo: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap990718.html

Heavy

2011-05-17T14:21:00.000-07:00

My body feels heavy like

The weight of the world's crushing

Down on my chest, like my eyes

Have to close and give in to

The sleep that wants to embrace

Me, and lead me to my dreams.

Caren E. Salas

Flying

2011-05-09T09:41:00.000-07:00

Wind biting my face

Lion roaring in my ear
Heels locked, heart racing
Hanging on tight, butterflies
Fluttering in my stomach.

I have no choice but

To put all my trust in you,

To lean when you do

Close my eyes, and hold my breath

And believe that we're flying.

Caren E. Salas

(for Michael McCabe - Thanks for showing me I could still fly. I know you're really flying now. Heaven had no idea what they were in for...)

No Regrets (Day 30 - a "after leaving here" poem)

2011-05-01T20:31:00.000-07:00

No Regrets

If I should ever have to go
Before I say good-bye
Please always know my love for you
Will truly never die.

Don't worry if the last thing said

Was harsh or insincere
Sometime the words you didn't say
Were those I chose to hear.

Don't think about the gifts forgotten
For various holidays
Your hugs and love and happiness
Were what mattered anyway.

Though I've no plan for leaving soon
When I do, have no regrets
That I love you and know you love me
Is what you must not forget.

Caren E. Salas

photo by William Salas

Ode to Cheerios (Day 29 - an Ode)

2011-04-29T17:17:00.000-07:00

Ode to Cheerios

Oh Cheerios! My bowl of Cheerios!

You're a crispy taste delight!

You make my mouth so happy,

Each time I take a bite.

Oh Cheerios! My bowl of Cheerios!

You're so healthy and they say

You're beneficial to my heart,

So I'll eat you every day!

Caren E. Salas

photo: cheerios.ca

The World Without... (Day 28 - The world without _____)

2011-04-29T16:12:00.000-07:00

The World Without...

One more bad attitude
One more harsh word
Too much lost patience
Emotions not heard.

We could live without it
Take a breath, count to ten
Forgive and forget
Try and smile once again.

One more good outlook
One more kind touch
A little more patience
Might just mean so much.

Caren E. Salas

In the Center of the Universe (Day 27 "In the _of the _")

2011-04-28T22:54:00.000-07:00

In the Center of the Universe

In the center of the universe

The stars have all aligned.

The galaxies have all agreed

To sparkle in my mind.

The meteors and comets

Are showering ice and stone,

And exploding supernovas

Send me to the "Twilight Zone".

But amidst this space I realize

Something I already knew,

That the center of the universe

Is after all, not you.

Caren E. Salas

(We all know someone don't we?)

photo: jpl.nasa.gov

My Turn (Day 26 a poem about following/leading)

2011-04-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

My Turn

I've spent my life giving in,

Following, the last in line.

My needs yielding to others;

My desires being ignored.

So when will it be my turn?

It's time that I take the lead.

Caren. E. Salas

Moon Fall (Day 25 - a "falling" poem)

2011-04-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

Moon Fall

The moonlight drips like liquid silver

Settling first on the dark ocean's surface

And then exploding into sparks of light

That float down to the bottom of the sea

And become...sand dollars.

Caren E. Salas

Photo: http://www.arkinspace.com/

I Wonder (Day 24 - a prayer poem)

2011-04-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

I Wonder

Are You still out there?
I wonder...
Where has my faith gone?

Caren E. Salas

Love Me (Day 23 - a "stop doing what you're doing" poem

2011-04-25T12:20:00.000-07:00

Love Me

Stop talking.
Hold me in your arms
And listen
To my heart.
Stop trying to fix what's wrong
And just love me more.

Caren E. Salas

Perfect Day (Day 22 - a "only one of its kind" poem)

2011-04-25T11:33:00.000-07:00

Perfect Day

A perfect August day
Everything went wrong
The limousine broke down
I panicked at the song.

The flowers weren't quite right
Your pants had to be hemmed
The time was running late
Would everyone attend?

But when the music started
I saw your face and knew
That what made this day perfect
Was that I was marrying you.

Caren E. Salas

Zak (Day 21 - a "second thoughts" poem)

2011-04-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

Zak

Locked up tight

In a haunted house

Living ghost

Adventures

Filming shadows, recording

Voices in the dark.

Picking fights

With Satan himself,

Shows no fear

I wonder

If he has second thoughts now

As he waits for dawn.

Caren E. Salas

Inspired by Zak Bagans and the crew of Ghost Adventures.

(Call me crazy but I love that show.)

I'm Still Here! (Day 20 - "Message in a Bottle" Poem)

2011-04-20T16:50:00.000-07:00

I'm Still Here!

Dear Family,
Have you missed me? I'm still here, in my room.
True, I'm buried by blankets, covered in
facial tissue, and surrounded by cold
Medications. Just listen for the sounds
Of sniffles and coughing. Send the dog in
To find me, but don't worry, I'm still here.
By the way, you're on your own for dinner.
You wouldn't want me to spread my cooties,
Of course not. And make sure you clean your rooms.
I may have to take tomorrow off too.

Caren E. Salas

Tin Man (Day 19 - Love or Anti-love)

2011-04-20T10:11:00.000-07:00

Tin Man

Cold, hard, metal shell

Hollow, heartless, dreamless man

Living in the fear

Of losing at love again

He would rather feel nothing.

Caren E. Salas

Like Waking from a Dream (Day 18 Like_____)

2011-04-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

Like Waking from a Dream

There are moments in our lives...

Moments, when all those offers too good to be true,

Become transparent;

Moments, when the prize you have grasped in your hands

Seems to evaporate;

Moments, when everything you've believed in all your life

Starts to fade away;

Moments when you find yourself lingering between real and surreal,

But you can't tell the difference;

Moments that feel like you're waking from a wonderful dream,

And you can't go back to sleep.

Caren E. Salas

Progress (Day 17 a "Big Picture" poem)

2011-04-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

Progress

Will books someday be obsolete; relics

From the past just like the Ford Model T?

Will kids stop learning to speak to others,

And electronic communication

Instead, replace human conversation?

Will travel become a thing of the past,

And virtual vacations, the new norm?

Will the technology meant to connect

Us all, be the tool that destroys contact

Leaving us desensitized and hollow

Shells? This may be the "progress" that's coming.

Caren E. Salas

You and I (Day 16 - a "moment in time" poem)

2011-04-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

You and I

Morning fog
The cry of seagulls
Crashing waves
You and I
Walk down the beach together
And talk of nothing.

Caren E. Salas

Me - In a Nutshell (Day 15 - a profile poem)

2011-04-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

The prompt for the day, via Robert Lee Brewer's website, was to write a profile of yourself or someone else. I chose myself since, well, I'm around me everyday. I chose the title because it only made sense: I'm a nut.

Me - In a Nutshell

Completely mental, impossibly hormonal,

Partially Irish, chemically blondish,

Beach bumming body boarder,

Bike rider, book hoarder,

Family loving, dog walking,

Turtle hugging, crazy woman.

Taxi driver, housekeeper,
Homework teacher, coffee drinker,

Loves crepes, and creme brulee,

Hates peas and medications,
Writer, poet, dreamer, artist.
Loving, caring, passionate heart.

Caren E. Salas

You're Our Child (Day 14 - a "ain't none of your business" poem)

2011-04-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

When I first read this prompt my inclination was to go with something silly, like: "What's in the bag? Nachos. Nachos? Yeah, nacho business!" Then when I really thought about it, I wanted to make it more personal. I mean, hey, I have teenagers, need I say more?

You're Our Child

Where were you? Where did you go?

Who were those friends you were with?

What did you spend time doing?

Why are you avoiding us?

Don't say it's not our business.

You're our child, and we love you.

Caren E. Salas

Say Good-Bye (Day 13 - poem about a past relationship)

2011-04-14T09:14:00.000-07:00

Say Good-Bye

I think I heard you left a note.

I never read the words you wrote.

I didn't need the reasons why,

But you didn't even say good-bye.

Maybe had you looked at me,

You might have never broken free.

Maybe had you seen me cry,

You might have known you shouldn't die.

Or maybe the darkness was too much

To overcome with just a touch.

What's left for me to do, but try

To find a way, to say good-bye?

Caren E. Salas

Without You (Day 12 - a form poem, or not)

2011-04-13T09:54:00.000-07:00

Without You

I've

Tried

But can't

Imagine

My life without you.

You're my heart and inspiration.

Caren E. Salas

(fibonacci)

One More (Day 11 - a "maybe" poem)

2011-04-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

One more, just maybe

One more leap of faith and trust

Then no more chances.

Caren E. Salas

Absolutes (Day 10 - a never/never again poem)

2011-04-11T11:29:00.000-07:00

Absolutes

Never is a state of mind
In a world of absolutes
But I don't believe in black and white
Without the shades and hues.

Caren E. Salas

7:53 PM (Day 9 - a time of day poem, post #2)

2011-04-11T11:10:00.000-07:00

7:53 PM

The sunset breeze subsides

And a melancholy fog

Reflects the beach town lights in pinkish grey.

Random stars blink through

Like eyes straining to see

Past the mist, to a sleepy world below.

The bonfire pops and crackles,

Ribbons of light wrap tightly

Around bits of pine and paper cups.

The cold air bites, embracing

The heat of dancing flames,

And the two make awkward love in smokey bliss.

In the distance crashing waves

Softly strum the shoreline

Like an endless ocean harp-song meant for none.

The moon's night-light glow

Calls to tide and twighlight skies

As the fire gives in, and smolders in the dark.

Caren E. Salas

(photo by William Salas)

Five O'Clock (Day 9 - a time of day poem)

2011-04-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

What a day!
And it's only noon.
Break time yet?
Oh, come on!
But it's five o'clock somewhere!
Let's start the party!

Caren E. Salas
(a somewhat slobbering shadorma)

A Waiting Toast (Day 8 - a ready to celebrate poem)

2011-04-09T17:41:00.000-07:00

A Waiting Toast

There's a bottle of champagne

In the refridgerator

Chilling, ready, and waiting

For any excuse to toast

Everyday celebrations

Of family and friendship.

Caren E. Salas

Photo by bonneimages.photoshelter.com

Mr. Kent (Day 7 a "what if" poem)

2011-04-07T23:09:00.000-07:00

Mr. Kent

What if Mr. Kent had smashed his fingers

In the phone booth door as it closed?

And what if his tie had knotted

As he pulled it over his head?

And what if there was broken glass

That snagged his bright red cape?

Would he have still seen me standing there

Smiling, and holding the kryptonite?

Caren E. Salas

Don't Rest, Dance! (Day 6 - Don't , _)

2011-04-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

Don't Rest, Dance!

We used to call her dance class

Pain and torture 101.

If you could walk afterwards,

You were not doing it right.

But nothing would ever stop

All of us from signing up.

Every day, she'd smile and lie

"Just one more time," and we'd laugh

Even though we wanted to

Moan, and complain "We're so tired!"

We'd do anything for her

And each day come back for more.

There were no breaks, no stopping

To rest. There was time enough

For that later. No one asked.

We just wanted to dance, and

She wanted for us to be

The best dancers we could be.

Caren E. Salas

dedicated to Dorothy Laspina Turner, who won't be resting in heaven, but dancing

The Mer-Duck (Day 5: Twofer Tues: a Goofy or a Serious Poem)

2011-04-05T14:39:00.000-07:00

The Mer-Duck

There once was a mer-duck

Living under the sea.

She didn't have much luck

Serving afternoon tea.

The seahorse was rude

And galloped in late.

The manatee moo-ed

And spilled tea on her plate.

The octopus burped

And got ink on the floor.
The parrot fish chirped

And kept asking for more.

The mussells were fighting.

The crabs were upset.

The eels wanted lighting.

The shark lost a bet.

The mer-Duck just sighed,

And thought Fiddle dee dee,
By the way, why the heck am I
Under the sea??

Caren E. Salas

Sorry, couldn't find a picture of a Mer-Duck, anyone have one??

The Suit (Day 4 - a poem about a type of person)

2011-04-04T14:09:00.000-07:00

The Suit

Every morning, crack of dawn

He puts it on: the jacket,

The slacks, the tie neatly tied;

His armor against the fires
And backstabbing, a disguise
To hide his super-hero cape.

All day long he dodges shots,

Trying to keep his chin up.

Photos of family smiling

Framed on his desk, reminding

Him why he goes through this

Day after day, years and years.

Every night he fights traffic,

Feels unappreciated,

But love leads him home again.

No hero's welcome waits there,

Just a hug, kiss and dinner...

And rest, until the next day.

Caren E. Salas

Four Reasons (Day 3 - It's a Wonderful Life!)

2011-04-04T09:30:00.000-07:00

For today's prompt, Robert Lee Brewer challenged us to imagine a world where we'd never been born. He compared it to one of his favorite classic movies "It's a Wonderful Life" (a favorite of mine also). Right off the bat I knew of the four best reasons that I was born.

Four Reasons

There are these two girls I know.
The older is beautiful and smart
She's always singing and dancing and such,
Likes Marine Biology, and Art.

The other girl is quite different.
She's cute and funny and sweet
Convinced she can save the earth somehow,
Starting now by cleaning the beach.

I know two boys; one has dreams
To start a band, singing the lead.
He composes the music and lyrics and all
And has such a strong will to succeed.

The other is fast and athletic;
Learns instruments quick, and with ease.
His charm sometimes gets him in trouble and yet,
His heart always sets him free.

So when I'm feeling a bit worthless;
When I'm tired of it all or depressed,
I look at these four and know without these
The world would be so much less.

Caren E. Salas

(dedicated to my four beautiful children, my reasons for writing, living and loving.)

Greetings from California (Day 2 - a Postcard Poem)

2011-04-02T16:41:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Califiornia

Greetings from California, but please allow me to whine,

'Cause this morning the temperature was below sixty nine!

Why, only last month, I was down at the shore,

Had my toes in the sand. It was about eighty four.

The water was chilly, but the waves were sa-weet!

My friends and I went out for ice cream to eat.
I don't mean to brag. Now, don't be all glum
But when you're tired of snow, you know where to come!

XOXO

Caren

The Thing I Most Love (Day 1 - What got you here?)

2011-04-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

When I first read Robert Lee Brewer's prompt this morning, "What got you here?" all that came to mind was that 80s "Talking Heads" song: Once in a Lifetime ("You may ask yourself, well...how did I get here?") but then I started thinking about how I started writing....

The Thing I Most Love

When I was only a little girl

I loved to play and pretend

I took my mom's umbrella once

Convinced I could fly in the wind.

I made up silly songs to sing

And performed them in the dark

Imagining I was a famous star

Doing live concerts in the park.

Then I was at school one day

And my teacher stood up and said

Today's assignment is to write a poem!

My friends all groaned with dread.

I sat at my desk without a sound

Looked out the window and smiled

My #2 pencil twitched in my hand

And my imagination went wild.

Since then I've tried other things

Music, Drama, Ballet,

Paleontology (yes really) and Art

But I always had something to say.

So journals got filled and boxes got full

With sheets of the stuff I would write:

Essays and stories, poems and plays

As I scribbled them all day and night.

Years later it seems kind of funny to me

All my life what I'd never thought of

Was maybe I should be a writer because

Writing's the thing I most love.

Caren E. Salas

Door Bell

2011-03-31T11:11:00.000-07:00

Rararararararf rarf!!

*Ding dong* the door bell rings late.

My four legged alarm beats

The bell by a nose. He smells

Stangers, and can hear foot falls

Tap-tap-ing up the front steps.

Caren E. Salas

Whiskey, my fierce watch dog.

Thank you once again to Robert Lee Brewer for the prompt: "sound".

Nameless

2011-03-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

Across the room I felt it:
The stare of one who could no
Longer see, empty sockets,
a weathered face, discolored
and blistered by time. No name
labeled his likeness, simply

"Bust of a Man" but I knew
Him, somehow, some way. His stare
Drew me back like a magnet:;
Hearing the echoes of past
Wisdom and lost love as though
The memories were my own.

Caren E. Salas

(an ekphrastic poem inspired by "Bust of a Man"
found at the Getty Villa in Malibu, CA)

Spring's Delay

2011-03-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

Spring's Delay

The sky is grey

there's an icy breeze

and it seems

to go right through my head.

It's spring they say

but that's not how it feels

because to me

I'm here alone instead.

The winter's frost

is slow to go away

and I'm afraid
it's moved into my heart.

The spring has lost

this battle for today

and so it keeps

the sun and me apart.

The sky is grey

and I wait for clouds to pass

but still I know

I'll make it through the cold.

In Spring's delay

the very blades of grass

grow seeds of hope

to come and rest within my soul.

Caren E. Salas

Train of Thought

2011-03-18T16:05:00.000-07:00

Gold earrings
Denim jeans
New mascara
Grab the keys

Grab a burger

Maybe a shake
Shake? Shaking
The earth quakes
Cracks, breaking...

Stop...thinking.

Home-made cookies

Sunny days

Swimming pools
Lemonade
A morning drive
Day at the beach
The rising tide
Keeps rising
Destroying lives...
Stop...thinking.

Beautiful day
No clouds in the sky
Go outside
Kids playing
Toy trucks
Toy trains
Missing train
Missing people
People lost
Stop...thinking.

Clean the house
Wiping counters
Washing, drying
Dishes, dusting
Sweeping, vacume
Making dinner
Cooking, burning
Burning buildings
Explosions raging
Stop...thinking.

Another morning
Cup of coffee
Driving school kids
Years passing
Passing? Failing?
Failing system
Overheated
Smoking leaking
Radioactive
Stop...thinking.

Waiting watching
Facebook stalking
Family posting
Checking hopeful
News conflicting
What's the truth now?
So many questions
One that matters
Are you still okay?
Can't stop...thinking.

Caren E. Salas

Sometimes you just can't stop your train of thought. My brother and his family are in Japan. Please pray for them and all those who have lost lives and loved ones, and are still struggling to survive.

My peace

2011-03-09T08:50:00.000-08:00

When my world is filled with the clouds of doubt

And inadequacy; when I'm feeling

Like I can't face one more problem without

Crashing like an airplane out of control;

When I've reached the lowest and most desperate

Moments; I know that somewhere you are there,

Thinking of me, and believing in me,

Willing me to make it through the darkness.

You help me smile in the midst of the storm.

You are my peace. You are my happy place.

Caren E. Salas

Better off Asleep

2011-03-04T08:36:00.000-08:00

Well, Robert Lee Brewer has provided some inspiration once again. The prompt this week is "Better off ____" (fill in the blank). When I originally read it I was especially tired and thought "I'm better off back in bed." Then my train of thoughts went on to the land of fairy tales and derailed with Sleeping Beauty. What if, when she awoke, she didn't live happily ever after? Maybe she would have been....

Better Off Asleep

For a hundred years the princess slept

In fantasy and bliss,

Until the day that fate would bring
A prince's true love kiss.

Finally the day arrived
She woke in his embrace,
And leapt into his waiting arms

A smile upon her face.

They rode away together then
To his castle far away,
They swore their love in marriage vows
Forever, that same day.

But as years passed the story changed
The prince grew old and fat,
The princess had a couple of kids
Who turned out to be brats.

She cleaned the castle day and night;

She woke each day with dread,

And often thought amidst it all

"I should have stayed in bed."

The moral of this story friends,

Is look before you leap.

The kiss that woke you just might mean

You're better off asleep.

Caren E. Salas

Isolation

2011-02-17T12:44:00.000-08:00

This poem is in response to another one of Robert Lee Brewer's Wednesday prompts: Isolation. On thinking about the subject I realized that the times I feel the most isolated are sometimes when there are the most people around me...

Running

Wake up running
Here I go
Can't get it done
If I move too slow

Gotta hurry
I'm out the door
Running around
So I can do more

Work all day
I cook and clean
Running errands
When I can in between

Night-time comes
I'm tired and beat
But no one is running
To take care of me.

Caren E. Salas

Hope

2011-02-10T11:15:00.000-08:00

Swirls of color paint the delicate skin

of a tiny orb dancing on a breeze.

Fragile as the kiss of air that brought it

To life, its fate is determined before

Its release; abandoning all tethers

For that one glorious moment of flight.

Caren E. Salas

A Slow Burn

2011-01-31T14:54:00.000-08:00

Just when I'd started to be optimistic,

And let my emotional guard down a bit

Believing in dreams I'd almost forgotten

Believing that I could achieve something more.

That's when life throws me a fast ball, a curve ball,

And next thing I know, it's three strikes: I'm out.

I brush off the dust and head back to the dugout

I'm through for the season, gotta' wait for next year.

It's not like my life is all over, not really.
There's no drama, or trauma or tears to be seen.
No ones hurting me, and there won't be a scar.
It's just a slow burn...
that's killing me.

Just when I started to think I'd be moving
Away from the sidelines and onto the field
My shoelaces trip me; I fall on my knees.
I'm tired of pretending I can fail with grace.

But what can I do but keep trying to make it
Put the show on, and go on, is what I must do

I refuse to give up, gonna' fight for my life

Can't let the slow burn...
keep killing me.

Caren E. Salas

Perfect

2011-01-25T21:33:00.000-08:00

Another of Robert Lee Brewer's Wednesday prompts. I'm getting it in just under the wire, but better late than never, right?

Perfect

The right place
The perfect moment
I saw you
You saw me
I knew almost instantly
We'd be friends for life.

Caren E. Salas

Today

2011-01-13T11:18:00.000-08:00

Today I'm going to take one step:

One step forward, solid, standing;

No two steps back, no thoughts forgotten,

Just one clean step, a perfect landing.

Today I'm going to face one day:

One day only, no future or past;
No regrets of failures, no grudges holding,
Just one new day, like it's the last.

Today I'm going to make one plan:
One plan for something never tried;
Not four or five impossible projects,
But one simple plan that I decide.

Today I'm going to pick one dream

One dream to believe with all my heart

One step, one day, one plan for dreaming

That today is when my life will start.

Caren E. Salas

Meatloaf Tonight

2011-01-12T14:52:00.000-08:00

When everythings wrong and nothing seems right,
When I'm frustrated, tired, upset and uptight,
Just three little words make my world bright,
It's meatloaf tonight! It's meatloaf tonight!

No other food makes me salivate more,
When I get home from work and come through the door,
I'm willing to do any task, any chore,
For the dish I adore, for the dish I adore.

No, speghetti and garlic bread really won't do it
Don't offer me steak, I don't want to chew it.
Like I said before, I thought we'd been through it,
I thought that you knew it, I thought that you knew it.

So show me your love, make me high as a kite,
I can just about taste that first perfect bite,
Other than you, there's no better sight,
Than meatloaf tonight, Than meatloaf tonight.

Caren E. Salas

dedicated to Robert Lee Brewer, my inspiration. :)

Day 28: What REALLY happened..

2010-12-09T16:48:00.000-08:00

Wasn't Me!

Wasn't me!
I didn't take them
The cookies
Just vanished
I think it was aliens
Yes, that's what happened.

Wasn't me!
I didn't do it
The milk jug
Fell over
I think our house is haunted
And a ghost spilled it.

Wasn't me!
It really wasn't!
It looks bad,
well, okay.
Pretend it didn't happen
And I'll clean it up.

Caren E. Salas
(Form: Shadorma)

Day 27: Blame the____

2010-12-09T16:28:00.000-08:00

Apparently, I'm in "mom" mode lately.

Blame the Kids

I'm convinced that mothers lose

A portion of their brain-cells

During child birth. Therefore I,

Having had four kids, have lost

Most of my mind. So blame them,

If I seem a bit insane.

Caren E. Salas

Day 26: "on the run"

2010-12-09T16:25:00.000-08:00

Always On the Run

I used to be able to stay up late
And party til the dawn
Left my house at ten at night
Dressed up and dancin' shoes on.

Work and school and rehersals
Always on the run
And still had time to be crazy with friends
Before the day was done.

But lately things are slowing down
And I'm in bed by ten
The days of wild parties are gone
And won't be back again.

Work and school and practices
I'm still on the run
But now I'm dropping off children
How long til I am done??

Caren E. Salas

Note: Okay, I was kidding about the parties being over, lol.

Care Packages

What the Moon Thinks

The End

The Last Page

The "Lawn"

This Glass of Wine

Unstoppable

Old Tricks

If Anything

My Brother

A Moonlit Story

Teddy

A dream

Black Friday

Thoughts of Love

Day Trip

My Lovely Zucchini

Your Smiling Face

I Dreamed...

Lies

Ya' Snooze, Ya' Lose

Never Heart

Once Upon a Sleepless Night...

Love Hurts

Horror Movie

Small Kindnesses

The Black Hole (part 2)

Internet Arithmatic

I am NOT Your Chew Toy

Wrong or Right

Paralysed

Can't Wait

Lost

The Glue

News

Sort of a Dog

This Wasn't It

Making Time

Teresa

What Counts...

Anemone

Late

Moments

Waiting

Why am I?

The Magic

The Fight

Empty

Giants

Don't

I am Fine

Homecoming

Jupiter

Heavy

Flying

No Regrets (Day 30 - a "after leaving here" poem)

Ode to Cheerios (Day 29 - an Ode)

The World Without... (Day 28 - The world without _____)

In the Center of the Universe (Day 27 "In the _____of the _____")

My Turn (Day 26 a poem about following/leading)

Moon Fall (Day 25 - a "falling" poem)

I Wonder (Day 24 - a prayer poem)

Love Me (Day 23 - a "stop doing what you're doing" poem

Perfect Day (Day 22 - a "only one of its kind" poem)

Zak (Day 21 - a "second thoughts" poem)

I'm Still Here! (Day 20 - "Message in a Bottle" Poem)

Tin Man (Day 19 - Love or Anti-love)

Like Waking from a Dream (Day 18 Like_____)

Progress (Day 17 a "Big Picture" poem)

You and I (Day 16 - a "moment in time" poem)

Me - In a Nutshell (Day 15 - a profile poem)

You're Our Child (Day 14 - a "ain't none of your business" poem)

Say Good-Bye (Day 13 - poem about a past relationship)

Without You (Day 12 - a form poem, or not)

One More (Day 11 - a "maybe" poem)

Absolutes (Day 10 - a never/never again poem)

7:53 PM (Day 9 - a time of day poem, post #2)

Five O'Clock (Day 9 - a time of day poem)

A Waiting Toast (Day 8 - a ready to celebrate poem)

Mr. Kent (Day 7 a "what if" poem)

In the Center of the Universe (Day 27 "In the _of the _")

Don't Rest, Dance! (Day 6 - Don't , _)