A Slow Burn

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

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

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

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..

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____

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"

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.

Day 25: an Animal poem

Lucas

Tiny little lion cub

You shiver in the cold;

You're meant to be in Africa

To grow up big and bold.

Instead you shake and look at me
I hold you in my arms;
I wish that I could take you home
And keep you safe from harm.

If only you would stay this size

So cuddly and so cute
And grow up vegetarian
Enjoying bread and fruit.

But alas, you will grow large
So in the zoo you stay

But I'll remember all my life

That I met you today.

Caren E. Salas

Day 24: Spaces

Where You Used to Be


An empty space
Where you used to be
A gaping hole
left in my life

An empty chair
Where you used to sit
A painful wound
Left in my heart

An empty dream
That we once believed
An anguished tear
Left in my soul.


Caren E. Salas

Day 23: A "form" poem

 Thought I'd try a "Kelly Lune"


The sky weeps with rain
Tears of pain
My heart cries with it


Caren E. Salas

Day 21: A Permission Poem (Giving or Refusing)

Just a little Fibonucci inspired by a sign I saw in New York City. It said "Don't even think about parking here."


No Parking!

Hey!
You!
Yeah you!
Don't park there!
I really mean it,
And don't even think about it!

Caren E. Salas

Day 20: What's wrong/What's right?

I told you I'd get back to Day 20 and 21, so here it goes, (I know, it's a sad excuse...)

What's Wrong?

I just can't do it
I can't make it work
I've got no ideas
I'm going bizerk

So this little poem
I'm hoping just might
Fit today's NOV-PAD challenge
"What's wrong - What's Right"

Caren E. Salas

Day 22: Take a Stand

Have you ever read something you wrote a week ago and suddenly it's just...not working for you anymore? Well, that's what happened to Day 20 and 21.  In the interest of time, I've decided to set those two aside for the moment and skip to Day 22.


Taking a Stand

I wanted to take a stand,
But the guy said I had
To buy a Christmas tree first.
I pointed out the sign:
"Free Stand!"
He pointed out:
"With Purchase".
So here I am.
I just can't take a stand.

Caren E. Salas

Day 19: A Poem with a "Hole" in it...

The Hole in the Wall

It's just a little hole in the wall place

But everyone is greeted with a smile.

The food's great even if it's not gourmet

And served on paper plates with plastic forks.

It's crowded and sometimes the service is slow,

And the black velvet paintings are tacky,

But anyone who's been there can't help but

Go back there, 'cause being there feels like home.

Caren E. Salas

Day 18: Lost and Found

Found, but Lost

Once, just an empty space
Hollow and dark
No warmth or love inside.

But then one day things changed
The seasons turned
And chased the clouds away.

My heart had found a love
A dream to believe
Someone to care about.

Yet in the very finding
Was a calm release
Finding love, I lost my heart.

To you.



Caren E. Salas