Sunday, April 29, 2012

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..."

Friday, April 27, 2012

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/

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

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")

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

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.

Monday, April 23, 2012

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.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

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

Friday, April 20, 2012

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.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

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

Monday, April 16, 2012

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


Saturday, April 14, 2012

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

Friday, April 13, 2012

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.  :)

Thursday, April 12, 2012

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

Sunday, April 8, 2012

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.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

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".

Friday, April 6, 2012

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.



Thursday, April 5, 2012

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

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

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)

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

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...