Stand Tall

Always stand tall
Whatever you do
With a heart burning brave
And a life that shines true.

Don't ever have doubts
Let your dreams take you far,
Why reach for the sky
When your soul owns the stars?

But if on your journey
It feels lonely, or rough,
If your will and your strength
Ever don't seem enough;

Just keep standing tall
Keeping this thought in mind:
Those who love and support you
Are not far behind.


Caren E. Salas


This is for Nate, my unofficially adopted son, and for Sharon, his real mother, who has a brave heart too.

Abby

Throw
The ball!
I'll get it,
Wherever it goes.
I'll even try not to slobber.
Into the pool, the bushes, across the yard, throw it!
Throw the ball! Throw the ball! Okay...I'll wait patiently until you do. Okay maybe not.
Throw the ball!


Caren E. Salas

 

photos by Chrissy Cassidy

For Me

The ocean seems tired somehow;

Waves lapping softly on the sand

Half hearted and lethargic,

As though it hadn't the will

Or the energy to try harder.

Stepping out, the water surrounds me

Embracing me like an old friend,

Assuring me that, at least for now,

The tides will wait, patiently...for me.

Caren E. Salas 

the Sea

The sea blows kisses

As I walk along the shore

Like a lost lover.

Caren E. Salas

Mermaid

The only sound is the sound
Of my breath and strange echoes
That travel from the surface
Into my cool bluish world.
Weightless, I feel so at home
As though I were meant to swim.

Maybe in another life,
I was a mermaid under
The sea, hair flowing, long fins,
Living without gravity,
Flying through a liquid space
Where the stars are all alive.


Caren E. Salas



photo: weeklyworldnews.com

Boredom

Remember boredom?

When having nothing to do

Was a death sentence

Now I pray for days like that

Enjoying every moment.

Caren E. Salas

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

The Murder

Twilight's quiet interrupted, pierced by

Screams and cries of countless distant creatures

Gathering together out of sight, yet

With undulating waves of sound announce

Their ominous presence in the valley

The rustling of leaves and wings in restless

Wait, the cacophony growing as each

Moment passes, in anticipation

Until suddenly the sky turns to black

The feathered flight of a murder...of crows

Caren E. Salas

Photo by William Salas

(taken moments after the one from the previous post)

Fading

Fading

Hours wander listlessly

Like dandelions gone to seed

Delicate umbrellas

Floating on an updraft

                                                      .........

                                 ...Climbing...

                ....Lunging...     

Spinning....

Toward the glow of clouds

Still singing with the setting sun

A melody of dreams

And visions forced to wait

Until another morning comes.

Darkness settles heavily

And wakes the leafy katydids

While one by one the stars

Like faded memories

Return to light the way

To Never Never Land

And things forgotten, lost

When childhood faded....

                                         Into time.

Caren E. Salas

Photo by William Salas

Guilty!

Absolutely, one hundred percent,

No doubt about it, I'm guilty!

Why, just look into my eyes;

It's all over my face.

I can't deny it;

Can't escape, I'm

Guilty of

Loving 

You.

Caren E. Salas

Robert Lee Brewer's Wednesday prompt was to do a "plea" poem.  Decided to try another in Nonet form. :)

For Just One Day

Christmas comes around just once a year
When carols play in every store
And tree lots start to appear
A time to dream and pray
For a better world
A better life
Even for
Just one
Day.


Caren E. Salas

I know what you're thinking "Caren, really? Christmas in July? Sorry, but I recently started working for The Living Christmas Company so I have Christmas on the brain. This poem is for a special "form challenge" and the form is called "Nonet". It has descending syllables from nine to one. Thought I'd try it out. How'd I do?

The Box

On my night stand sits a wooden box
Inside it are just little things like
Paper clips and rings and pop rocks
From a party I attended,
Fortune cookie fortunes, chapstick
Several pennies and a dime,
But most of all it holds the memories
Of the one who pieced it all
Together from the scraps of wood
Left from the boat he built himself,
Each seam precisely joined together
A flawless surface sanded smooth,
A work of patience, and of love
Selflessly given me long ago,
But I remember. I do remember.

Caren E. Salas

Two and a Half Hours

The two and a half hour car trip seemed like
An epic journey when I was seven.
The mountain roads weaving around each curve
Made my stomach dizzy. The only lights
Were the headlights of the few passing cars
Brave enough to be on these roads at night.
I tried not to cry. I tried not to think.
I just held onto my special pillow
And prayed as hard as I could, staring out
Into the black and wishing I could fly.


Caren E. Salas

(for Grandma Bustos)

The Ugly Bones

She hated this part:

Cleaning up the left-overs

Ripping the meat off

Trying not to get the fat

Leaving no morsel behind.

She licked her fingers

Staring at her reflection

Staring back at her

From the large kitchen window;

Finished, she turned off the light.

Caren E. Salas

Robert Lee Brewer's Wednesday prompt this week: Take the title of a book, change one word and make that the title of your poem. I choose "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold, and changed it to "The Ugly Bones." Without getting creepy or morbid, I wrote this...

Photo: http://www.sloopin.com/2010/07/chicken-bone-problem.html

Relax

Stop
Breath
Relax
Be silent
Eyes closed, calm your mind.
Rest; tension will give way to peace.
Paradise awaits inside your imagination.

Caren E. Salas

photo by William Salas

After It's Over

After weeks of rehearsal, long days, late

Nights, learning lines, music, dance steps, blocking,

Opening night arrives with lights, applause,

And dreams come true. Yet before we knew it,

We were making our final bows, curtain

Falling; fade to black.  We held each other,

Hoping the moment would last, but knowing

The next day, there'd be a void, an empty 

Space, restless energy with no release...

While we waited for the next audition.

Caren E. Salas 

Robert Lee Brewer's Wednesday Prompt: vacuum: however you want to interpret that.  I thought of a void, black hole kind of thing, and I remembered what it felt like every time a show I was in closed. We all got "post play blues" until the next one came along. This is dedicated to all my crazy theater friends! (Special thanks to my friend Robin Harrison for finding this picture from "A Chorus Line". - I'm second from the end on the right side.)

Fading Away...

Memories that once were

So clear, and so colorful,

Now seem fuzzy, and grey;

Little by little, drifting

Away, 'til they fade...to black.

Caren E. Salas

Day 30 of April's Poem a Day Challenge: a "fading" poem 

photo by William Salas

I Can See it on Your Face

The news can't be good. I can

See it on your face, that look

Of pity, sympathy, dread.

Just don't say everything will

Be okay, 'cause I can tell,

Things will never be the same.

Caren E. Salas

Day 29 of April Poem a Day. Prompt: Take a phrase or theme from a previous poem this month and write a poem based on that. "I can see it on your face" from the poem "Condescension"  (Day 22).

The Problem is Love...

The problem is, love is easy to give,

Yet much more easy to take,

The stronger the love, the weaker the heart

And the more likely that it will break.

The problem is, love is always a risk

Like a trapeze we swing when we dare;

Will someone catch us, or will we fall down?

We wonder, as we fly through the air.

Caren E. Salas

Day 28 of April Poem a Day Challenge: a "problem" poem. 

Photo: pastoricardosilva.blogspot.com

The Trouble with Teen-agers

The trouble is sometimes you wish you could hate them
You just want to say, "If you don't like it? Get out!"
You wish that you didn't care where life would take them,
You wish they could understand what life's about.

The trouble is most times they think you are crazy
And that clearly you don't have the least slightest clue.
Each day is a battle, but you can't give up even
When to love them's the only thing you can do.

Caren E. Salas


Day 27 of April PAD - prompt: "The trouble is..."

Octopus

If I were an octopus under the sea,

I'd wrap myself 'round you with my eight long arms.

I'd ink up the water to protect you from harm,

And invite you to live in a garden with me.

I'd flash you bright colors, impress you with smarts;

Together we'd go out for lobster and more!

We'd go to my favorite spots on the sea floor,

And I'd love you, my dear, with all three of my hearts!

Caren E. Salas

Day 26 of April Poem a Day Challenge. Prompt: an animal poem.  Octopi are my favorite sea creatures! As a mom, I envy the eight arms, three hearts, big brain and the ability to get out of tight situations. On top of all that, they are beautiful, and amazingly graceful in movement. In honor of the Octopus, I decided to try a poetry form called a "brace octave".  I hope I did it right. :)

photo:  science.howstuffworks.com


For more information about octopi check out:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/the-octopus-show/a-legend-of-the-deep/2014/

Ballet

Ballet

Peeling sweat-soaked leotards

And tights off after practice;

The pink leather slippers tossed

To the side, everything ached.

I wouldn't have traded it

For anything in the world.

Caren E. Salas

Day 25 of April's Poem a Day Challenge: prompt - a "sport".  Really? 

"If ballet were easy, they'd call it football"... (from "The Game Plan")

Summer Love

Palm trees, sunset glow

Sea, sand and warm summer nights

You and I dreaming

Caren E. Salas

Day 24 of April PAD : a poem about love.

Morning Whispers

The moon has begun to fade

But the sun's not quite awake

The morning fog leaves kisses

On leaves of trees; blades of grass

And as birds sing in the dawn,

My dreams whisper their good-byes.

Caren E. Salas

Day 23 (can you believe it? I'm caught up...for the moment.) April Poem a Day challenge prompt: a "morning" poem.

Condescension

You don't have to say a word;
I can see it on your face.
I can hear it in your voice.
Even your body language
Relays your condescension.
I've two words for you: Bite me.


Caren E. Salas

Day 22 of April PAD: Write a "judging" poem.  I'm pretty sure that says it.

Studied...

Studied...

How many parts of me have been studied, 

X-rayed, put under a microscope? Brain,

Spinal fluid, blood, urine, bones, lungs, skin,

Tendons, cartilage, eyes, ears, teeth, hormones

Top to bottom, hands and feet, front to back

Even my thoughts and feelings analyzed,

Countless hours waiting, testing, waiting 

Again, for results that may or may not

Result in answers. We're ruling it out,

They say, but I say, they don't have a clue.

Caren E. Salas

Day 21 of April PAD prompt: "under a microscope".
photo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microscope

Let's Dream

Let's
Dream
About
What could be
If the universe
Revolved around the two of us.


Caren E. Salas



April PAD prompt: "Let's_____"
A fibonacci.

Please

Please don't dress me up and put
Make-up on my face and lay
Me out on satin cushions
For all the world to see, just
Cremate what is left of me
And remember who I was.

Caren E. Salas


Day 19 of AprPAD: a poem about a "life event", which in this case is my death (hopefully a long time in the future). Please don't take offense if you have other thoughts on this kind of matter, this is just the way I want to have it done.

Tacos

Tacos! So delicioso!

Crispy crust, with a choice of meat:

Carne asada, chicken or fish,

So many ways for me to eat!

Want some lettuce? Maybe cheese?

Some chili sauce or sour cream?

Tomatoes? Olives? Wait! There's more!

Add jalapenos til you scream!

Or just some salsa, maybe mild,

And don't forget the guacamole,

Frijoles in or on the side,

But leave some room for hot pozole!

Caren E. Salas

Day 18 of Robert Lee Brewer's Poem a Day challenge, prompt: your favorite regional food. I immediately thought: TACOS! Really. I love Mexican food. Don't pay attention to my name, I'm basically a gringo, but I am married to a Mexican :) and my mom was half Mexican, so between my mom and his (and thankfully they taught me a few things) there's some seriously good food around.
P.S. Pozole is a type of spicy soup, also pretty dang good.

photo: family.go.com

Sci-Fi

Funny little men

With large black almond-shaped eyes

Came from outer space

Caren E. Salas


Day 17 of April PAD, prompt: a science-fiction/fantasy poem. Normally this would be a no brainer, but lately my "brainer" has been pre-occupied with being, well, sick :(  So I kept it simple, and went with a haiku.

Headache

Walk into the kitchen.

   Hey mom, can I have an apple?
Sure.
   Wait, why did I come in here?
Walk back to the bedroom.
   Oh yeah, I needed some aspirin.
Right.
    Back to the kitchen.
Honey, have you seen my briefcase?
   It's right by the front door.
Thanks.
    Wait, why did I come in here?
Walk back to the bedroom.
     I slap my forehead...aspirin.
Damn.
     Back to the kitchen, again.
Mom, sorry I spilled!
     Let's clean it up then.
(sigh)
     Back to the bedroom.
Geez, I really have a headache.

I need some aspirin.


Caren E. Salas


Day 16 of April PAD: A "mixed up" poem. Story of my life.

Photo:   http://www.yourbalance.com.au/i%E2%80%99m-going-nuts/

Ill Fated Balloon

The jagged rock slashed fabric and wicker
As the balloon crashed into the mountain.
We clung to the ballast straps, the pilot
Doing all he could to mask his terror
In the face of embarrassing failure.
Our lives in his hands, we looked for guidance;
His blank expression gave us no comfort.
Yielding to gravity, we plummeted,
And though he searched, the pilot couldn't find
An "easy" button to help him through this.

Caren E. Salas


photo: examiner.com

Trust Me

In the name of all that's quite insane
I come to you today,
To say the planet's final hours
Are only days away!

But don't be worried, I've a plan
To keep you safe and whole.
I guarantee that you'll be fine;
You're welfare is my goal.

There's just a little detail first
To secure your life to be;
Just gather up your valuables,
And ship them all to me.

I know you're thinking, "What a scam!"
But trust me, I know best!
Do you really want to take a chance,
And be lost with all the rest?

Just close your eyes and sit right down,
There's nothing more to see,
And while you wait for your new life,
Tahiti waits for me!


Caren E. Salas



Day 14 of April PAD: a "doomsday poem"


photo: lostinidaho.me

A Gift

I tripped on a black cat and started to fall

Knocked over a mirror that hung in the hall

It broke into pieces as it fell off the wall

This is no good at all! This is no good at all!

Stepped under a ladder and on every crack

Opened an umbrella, now I'm under attack

Since I lost my rabbit's foot, my life's out of whack

How do I get back? How do I get back?

I broke a champagne glass while making a toast

I hit "delete all" while typing this post

If having bad luck was a gift I could boast

Yes, I have the most. Yes, I have the most.

Caren E. Salas

photo: randomness-of-me-blog.blogspot.com

Day 13 of April PAD; an "unlucky" poem

Something...in the Water

Two notes, like a single heart beat, a glimpse,

A shadow, that uneasy feeling creeps

Into your stomach, the beat increases

Something brushes past bare legs and startles,

Too far from shore; just try to keep afloat.

The beat again, a tug, a gasp, shock, fear

Screaming will do no good, it's too late now.

No real comprehension of the nightmare

Unfolding beneath the surface, gasp, splash!

Then silence. Relax, it's just a movie.

Caren E. Salas

April PAD prompt: "Something ____"  After running the possibilities through my head Something Wild, Something Boring... Something in the Dark... I remembered we had just watched "Jaws" recently, and found my inspiration.

photo: en.wikipedia.org

Tourist Season

We'd straighten and stack up the souvenirs:

Stuffed killer whales, keychains, and sailor hats.

We'd brace ourselves, breathe, and prepare to deal

With the camera crowd and the spoiled brats.

The school groups had already started to wane

Replaced by people from points all around;

Tourists who seems to know no respect

Carelessly leaving their trash on the ground.

"I want it! I want it!" the children would scream

And their parents would say "Oh, all right,"

Buying some cheap toy to shut them up quick

That would end up in pieces that night.

I'd smile and say "Thank you," as they handed me cash

Good luck with those kids, I was thinking;

Knowing those tourists would reach their hotel

Get the kids into bed and start drinking.

But at the end of the day we did realize

That those people who drove us insane,

Were the reason we all got a paycheck each week

And for that, we couldn't complain.

We collectively sighed when the days grew long

And summer had come to an end;

We'd clean up the mess and stock up the shelves

For the locals and school kids again.

Caren E. Salas

Day 11 April PAD prompt: a poem about a season, ie: spring, summer...wabbit...
When I was in college I worked at Marineland, in Palos Verdes, CA. It is long since gone, but while it lasted it was a great place to work, and a really fun place to visit. It was crazy in the summer, but we all survived. This is dedicated to all my friends and fellow Marinelanders.

Photo: palosverdesdailyphoto.blogspot.com

Palms

Reaching to the sky

Fronds waving in the breezes

California palms

Caren E. Salas

Day 10 of April PAD, prompt: a poem about a tree or forest. I decided to go "haiku" on this one.  :)

My Shady Oasis

The desert heat suffocates
Constant oven setting of
One hundred and ten degrees
Broiling the sand and my skin
Save one spot, under the one
Tree: my shady oasis.

Caren E. Salas

Accept - Reject

Cell phone buzzes, vibrates, incoming call;

Screen lights. Accept. Reject. The choice is mine.

Split second flash of thought, weighing whether

To answer or ignore, to forgive or

Forget; the name appearing reminds me...

Of my heart still stinging from betrayal;

My ears still ringing from words left unsaid;

My eyes still burning from tears yet falling;

Accept? Reject? Mind racing, must respond.

I won't accept the pain, or the caller.

Reject.

Caren E. Salas

Day 8 of Robert Lee Brewer's PAD challenge: a "rejected" poem.

photo:  ehow.co.uk

The Drawer

She tiptoes into the room
Careful not to wake him from
His dreams. He twitches and stirs;
She freezes, then quietly
Opens the drawer. CLINK! The leash.
Arf! Arf! Arf!  He runs to her.


Caren E. Salas

Day 7. Prompt: write a poem describing a scene where two people interact without speaking. I took a little licence using my dog as one of the "people" but he thinks he's a person, so that should count.

Hide and Shine

Hide

Your

Feelings

Close your eyes

To the crowd that wants

To hurt you just to feel better

About themselves, ignore them, don't let them see you cry.

Just be yourself and keep dreaming

Push on toward the goal

Open up

Your heart

And 

Shine.

Caren E. Salas

April PAD: Robert Lee Brewer's prompt: a poem about "hiding".

Two Crazy People (The Love Song of Enrique and Francisca)

On the way to the fair, he had spotted a girl
She was so beautiful, should he take a chance?
He mustered his courage, took a deep breath,
He stopped her and asked "Would you like to dance?"

She laughed with her friend, walking away.
Hands in his pockets, he quietly sighed;
But he knew in his heart there was something about her
Was he just being crazy, or was it his pride?

At the risk of her thinking that he was a creep,
He followed her all the way home that same night.
He hoped if he just had a moment to talk,
He'd convince her that he could be her "Mr. Right".

He knocked at the door, she answered and smiled.
Stepping out, she pretended that no one was there.
For a brief point in time, his heart leapt with joy,
Til her mother grabbed the girl by the hair.

"What the heck are you doing?" her mother had screamed,
And seeing him there, slammed the door in his face.
His heart fell with sadness as he turned to go,
And dejected, he hung down his head in disgrace.

Day after day he returned to her house,
In hopes he could see his dream girl again.
He had no idea, she was not allowed out.
He just knew that hers was the heart he must win.

A full month had passed until New Year's Eve night,
And his vigilant wait was rewarded at last.
She emerged from her home and he knew right away
That the time he'd spent waiting, was all in the past.

At a big celebration, with everyone there,
To him one thing mattered: just one thing was true.
He must finally dance with her, talk with her, laugh;
And they'd fall in love, by the time night was through.

Not long after, her mother answered the door.
To an uncle and family representing the boy.
"My nephew" his uncle said, smiling but firm,
"Wants to marry your daughter. She brings him such joy."

"Is this what you want?" her mother then asked.
"Yes, mama," was answered without even a breath.
"Then all right," her mother said, sealing the deal,
And in just a few days they were joined until death.

Now, many years later, more than sixty in fact,
Those two crazy people are still crazy in love.
And I'm thinking that they will continue to be,
Even after death takes them to heaven above.

Caren E. Salas

60th Anniversary Celebration

Day 5 of April's PAD. Robert Lee Brewer's prompt: a poem about something "before your time".
I normally don't write such long poems, but this was a story that I really wanted to get right. This is the true story about how my mother and father-in-law met, as told to my daughter only recently. My husband said he hadn't even heard the story before. I took a little poetic licence, and probably left out a few details here and there, but this is pretty much the story. Hope you enjoy it.
A lot of people complain about their in-laws, but I have to say, I'm pretty blessed.  (Aren't they cute?)
Care.

100% Pure Optimism

My numbers might be the right ones this time
And maybe my kids will have cleaned their rooms.
I think I left some money in my coat
In the right pocket; it could still be there.
Gas prices really might go back down soon...
I'm sure a publisher will simply
Fall in love with the novel I've written.
I am going tomorrow to the gym
And I'm going to work-out and diet.
And the sun will come out tomorrow.  Yup.


Caren E. Salas

Robert Lee Brewers PAD prompt: !00%_____
If only...well a girl can hope, right?



Photo: scpr.org

Sorry...

You may have noticed, maybe not;
I've been distracted, lost in thought.
No, that's not right, 'cause let's be frank,
When I try and think, the page is blank.
I've been going in circles, running in place,
And frequently, I've been lost in space.
You see, there's something I can't find:
I'm sorry to say, but I've lost my mind.


Caren E. Salas


Day 3 April PAD prompt: an "apologetic" poem
(Some say I lost it long ago.)

Stranger

A stranger's eyes, dark, staring

At mine from across the room

Curious, asking questions 

Without words, without even

Blinking, I glare in defiance

Until the eyes turn away.

Caren E. Salas

Day 2 of April PAD: a "visitor" poem (wanted or unwanted)

Silence

Silence is not golden, but black
Black as a moonless night
A cold and empty room
Echoing a lonely heartbeat
In the absence of comfort
Understanding, compassion
A disease that infects those
Once open and alive
Who broke the silence
Once too many times
And like a mirror, given
Many years bad luck.
A self imposed affliction
That guards the heart and soul
When words do more to harm
Than heal.

Caren E. Salas


Day 1 of Robert Lee Brewer's April Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month.
Prompt:  a "communication" poem.
So here we go...

The Last Straw

One day I'll hit the wall, feel that last straw
Crushing the camel, fists clenched, hair on end
I'll try and maintain composure only
To fail miserably, screaming out loud
Furniture flying, and small animals
Running for cover away from my wrath.
That one day, all bets are off, I can't be
Responsible for my actions against
A universe bent on seeing me fall.
Fire in my eyes, I'll stand and face my foe.


                                         Caren E. Salas


Robert Lee Brewer's Wednesday Poetry Prompt: "One last thing..."

Hold on to the Love

There are people that you meet in life
And right away you know
That although you've only barely met
You will never let them go.

Though you've known her just a while
It feels like so much more
She makes you feel so welcomed in
Like you never did before.

Though time goes by so fast sometimes
And it's hard to make a call,
Once you get to talking
It's like no time's passed at all.

Like the friendships in those classic films
You never thought were real
The lightning bolt, the instant click
The lottery, the deal.

And you know no matter what life brings
You always will be friends
But the thing you can't anticipate
Is how the story ends.

'Cause sometimes friends grow old together
On a porch in rocking chairs
But sometimes life has other plans
And it doesn't seem quite fair.

There's no way you can change things
Despite how hard you try
So you just hold on to the memories
    And the love,
                         then say good-bye.


Caren E. Salas

Dedicated to my friend Lori Eget...Good bye my sweet friend. We only knew you for a little while, but you touched my entire family with your love and light. We will remember and love you always.

Mandalay Beach, Oxnard CA - Where our family met hers.

Photo by William Salas

When You're Here

I don't want to hope too much
Afraid my dreams won't come true;
Worrying I might jinx it
Somehow, and my wait will be
Longer still. Still I will wait
Believing, not believing.

You say you'll see me soon;
Nothing could keep you away,
But yet so much can happen
Over time. So forgive me
My fears, anticipating;
I'll believe it when you're here.

Caren E. Salas

Robert Lee Brewer's Wednesday Poetry Prompt: "I'll believe it when..."
Dedicated to those with loved ones in the military, overseas and elsewhere.
Photo: nctimes.com

Bird on Fire

Born of the earth, slender and tall

She dreams of wings, but cannot fly

She reaches for clouds, the birds seem to call

Born of the earth, slender and tall

With a heart on fire, she continues to try

Born of the earth, slender and tall

She dreams of wings, but cannot fly.

Caren E. Salas

Photo by Caren E Salas