Red Leaf

Red Leaf

I found the scarlet leaf in
My neighbor's yard
Underneath the maple tree.

So early, I thought,
so surprising on
the mat of deep, dark green.

I picked it up as the
Sun beat down on my hair
Making it warm and bright.

The red leaf is an epistle
From Autumn
Warning me of her arrival,
Always too soon for me.

Marsha Salerno
2020

Fleeting

Fleeting

A tap in the
corner of my brain
causes my head
to swivel.
Gotta jot that down.
It is elusive
I grab my pencil
find some paper
run to my typewriter
But it escaped
Next time I will catch it
I hope.

The Wait

The Wait

Is my waiting seen?
Is my waiting appreciated?
Is my waiting pain?
Is my waiting healing?
Is my waiting fracture"
Is my waiting patient?
Is my waiting tolerable?
Is my waiting foolish?
Is my waiting good?

Road Trip

Road Trip

I have been driving
for hours
Stuck in this seat 
wanting to be there. 
I must pay attention,
concentrate on the road,
see where I am going.
And wonder
how it will be 
When I get there?
The horizon does not
advance, but changes.
Clouds so low they
are mountainous--
trees, roadside flowers, crops.
I should be interested, entertained--
but I have seen it, 
passed it again and again.
Even the beauty bores me.

Continuance

Continuance

Others drop out of  Love
because of anger or
the inability to go past
disappointment
they can not let love overcome the
resonate intensity
but love can be 
so deep
and wide
that the imagination
cannot accept
the barrenness
of its absence

Marsha Salerno
2020

I Understand

I Understand

I understand the need
to shut away those thoughts
I understand the why
of balancing my traits
I understand the impulse to
show only my good side since
parts of me should remain
in darkness so
I can be a better person.

I try to keep my secrets
Then I feel such guilt
I don't know if you want it all--
my envy for ambition, beauty, creativity
rampant thoughts from my radiant imagination
the desire for all your attention
shame when I fail
I do not want it.

But even when
buried they
sprout roots and leaves
The things I'm trying to
keep unto myself
may grow
uncontrollably.

by Marsha Salerno
2020

OK

OK

It's going to be ok

It is one of those things we say

Reassurance.

We need it.

What it's going to be ok

does not tell us 

is that it still

might be really hard

it still might be a lot of work

I still may make mistakes

And the way time passes, it really may be ok in a few minutes

because I apologized and

you forgave

It may take time

Ok might not be what is hoped

But

Everything will be ok.

I believe it.

by Marsha Salerno

Oct 2, 2020

Breakage

Breakage

I do not remember

What was broken,

But the reaction.

Was unexpected.

Awaiting anger, scolding and rejection.

Anticipation caused 

hours of anguish while

waiting to confess.

It is just a thing, I was told

With kindness and patience 

And I felt redeemed

And loved.

9-12-2020

Marsha Salerno

Noble

Noble

See actions, know who

They are. Hear what they say, know

What they want to be.

September 2015

Marsha Salerno

Gain

Gain

Sometimes you must be

Willing to give up every

Thing to get something

          Marsha Salerno

          January 2019

Give Me Some Amazing Grace

Give Me Some Amazing Grace

I have asked,

In my way, 

But I will not ask again,

I do not think

I can.

But really,

I will not

Survive without it.

Marsha Salerno

August 2020