Red Leaf P

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 P

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 P

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 P

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 P

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 P

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 P

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 P

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 P

Noble

See actions, know who

They are. Hear what they say, know

What they want to be.

September 2015

Marsha Salerno

Give Me Some Amazing Grace P

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

Gain P

Gain

Sometimes you must be

Willing to give up every

Thing to get something

          Marsha Salerno

          January 2019

For My King P

For My King

The Lion, lithe and regal…
I’ve heard it said his
steel claws lie in a bed of velvet,
ready to spring forth as needed.
I wouldn’t know of the necessity
for the closest I have gotten
to his majesty of the Savannah is you,
with your own tawny sleekness and a grace
in All things, more Royal than the cat.
A Strength to match with power proven
to be of intellect, kindness and gentility,
with a fine raw edge whose
Charisma draws me forth unbearably.
The Lion’s beauty is undeniable but cannot
Compare to yours among that long list of attributes
…so much to my liking.

Marsha Salerno
Valentine’s Day 2012

Waiting Room P

Waiting Room

This is a place of equality
a place of expectation
where all who enter
hope for a quick and easy resolution.
Waiting on--
it could be anything--
innocuous reasons
or life and death.
But the waiting room
remains a place of expectation
where the result is unknown,
the future untold.
Resignation,
boredom,
protocol,
grief,
excitement
quiet whispering,
arguing siblings,
helpless bureaucrats following endless rules.
Overheard parts of conversation
are tantalizing and mysterious.
Guessing background and stories
can ease boredom and tension.
The longer the wait
the more impossible it seems
that an answer will be brought forth.
But all are eventually released
from the waiting room.

 Marsha Salerno 9-09

Overdrive P

Overdrive

Driving at night

black road black night

headlights attempt illumination.

Is it enough light?

Drive on -- blindly.

My body feels frozen --disembodied—

I am alone, trying

to trust the other souls

driving this night-shrouded route.

My legs are gone.

Only the pressure of the pedal

and my hands on the wheel exist.

My companion stirs

"Are you ok?" I laugh,

paranoia ebbs. 

Daddy Sang That Song P

Daddy Sang That Song

It is bittersweet
to have a memory
powerful and complete
that brings with it a strong emotion,
a good memory
that a smell or song evokes
but seeing it now
with the loved one gone
brings a deep sadness
which cannot be quenched with reason.
A reason which says
--Hey--
it's good to remember good times
and pleasant things.
But the sadness
oozes out with tears
even though it is a smile
that should come
and a thankfulness for the memory
not this overwhelming melancholy.

 Marsha Salerno

Introvert P

Introvert

Don't worry about me
I am content to observe
I am peaceful
until you disturb me
with your efforts
of inclusion.
Persistence will not pay you this time--
you are pushing me away.
What you offer as a carrot
is a stick to me.
It does not bring me peace
or lead me to a good place.
Increasing my patience,
I wait you out
and gain freedom from anxiety.

July 2007

What is Real? P

What is Real?

My perception is what I have.
Personal experience and worldly outlook
cause me to see a certain way.
I must live in myself
and activate my empathy
through observation,
conversation, and service.
If my reality is real,
I must strive to use
my own judgment
and see past
the affliction of television,
popular culture,
and envy.
I can not base my strength on
what I think
others love.
The answer lies
within me.

July 2009

Stimulation P

Stimulation

I clear a blank area
in the room
with the intention
of workspace.
 It is restful-- empty
of things
a place to fill and create
sterile
no pictures
no clutter
no nothing
 Leaving it awhile
I return to find it
filled with my children
who have moved in
with their toy castles, soldiers, kings princesses, and trains.
 The space created for imagination and ideas
filled just right.

May 2009

Overgrowth P

Overgrowth

The modern farmer
attempts the work of the Buffalos--
of lightning.
He clears the land
and keeps the prairie free
of extraneous growth
where he cultivates
his crops and allows his herds to graze.
But the plain misses the pound of bison hooves--
aches for the heat of the flame.
For the plow is not as discriminating as fire.

June 2009

Barked Shin P

Barked Shin

Sudden Jolt
sparks through my shin
the electric intensity
of the pain disables.
I mute my obscenities--
expletive deleted.
Like in the comics,
I see stars.
I hobble
because it feels strangely better
to walk on the leg.
I examine my bruise,
poke at it
satisfied with the pain,
I return to my task,
a martyr.

June 2009