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
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Overgrowth
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
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
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
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
Herald of Summer
Herald of Summer
Plump green-filled leaves
like thousands of Elm flags
branch into infinite sun collecting parts.
The spring.
The beginning.
Anew the glorious sun-activated chlorophyll,
designed with solid roots in the ground
massive trunk branching
smaller and smaller
delicately ending in the waiving tips of the leaves.
June 2009
like thousands of Elm flags
branch into infinite sun collecting parts.
The spring.
The beginning.
Anew the glorious sun-activated chlorophyll,
designed with solid roots in the ground
massive trunk branching
smaller and smaller
delicately ending in the waiving tips of the leaves.
June 2009
Short Rest
Short Rest
on tune
an old song,
but I cannot recall the words.
I stand to see who,
and that feels good.
I have been picking tomatoes
so long that my fingertips are black and green
with the residue of the pungent plant.
My strong brown hands rest at my sides.
I bask in the shade of a fluffy cloud
and stoop to work again.
Summer 2009
Lonely Stand of Trees
Lonely Stand of Trees
sprinkled with the green of early spring
stops the undulation
of the prairie's flow.
Clouds hang low
over clumps of red, tawny grass.
The protection of a hollow
or the nourishment of a stream
allows this small wood
to thrive against the wind.
Spring 2009
Tidal Wave
Tidal Wave
emotion and feeling
lay on my heart
on my conscience
and stabs at my mind
Was it right?
Was it right?
The question repeats
until I relent
I know
it was not
I must--
even if my heart is harder
on me than it should be---
I must
ask forgiveness
of me
of them
of the Lord.
Spring 2009
Modern Life
Modern Life
and get away
from the trials and distractions of civilization.
To increase his closeness
to nature and his productivity.
Henry David.
What would he think of American life today
with endless opportunities
and avenues for fun and distraction?
Spring 2009
Stillness Interrupted
Stillness Interrupted
scratches in my thoughts
its wind driven attention
flickers on the tree.
Gritty, grinding,
sandy thoughts
disturb the peace in waves.
Wing-borne contentment
forces back the tides—
the wind,
the sound.
Meditation.
Enchantment.
Still.
Then a rampaging thing
flopping onto the sand bank
covered all in dried grass
breaks up my mind.
Is it sanity I was seeking?
Or something stiller, Still?
the wind,
the sound.
Meditation.
Enchantment.
Still.
Then a rampaging thing
flopping onto the sand bank
covered all in dried grass
breaks up my mind.
Is it sanity I was seeking?
Or something stiller, Still?
Spring 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sorrowful
Peach trees bloom
At the same time each spring.
It is a matter of timing.
As the axis tilts,
the sun shines,
the air warms.
And the tree knows the time has come.
It is a wonder that peaches come to fruition.
A late frost
seems to often wipe out the crop,
freeze the blooms,
full of hope and life,
and they fail.
Each spring,
though,
the trees bloom,
hopeful to produce the fruit--
the progeny.
At the same time each spring.
It is a matter of timing.
As the axis tilts,
the sun shines,
the air warms.
And the tree knows the time has come.
It is a wonder that peaches come to fruition.
A late frost
seems to often wipe out the crop,
freeze the blooms,
full of hope and life,
and they fail.
Each spring,
though,
the trees bloom,
hopeful to produce the fruit--
the progeny.
Knowing, sorrowfully,
what may happen, and
unable to change Spring’s cruel course.
what may happen, and
unable to change Spring’s cruel course.
Spring 2009
Mourning Dove
Mourning Dove
the mourning dove calls
waiting for an answer
she calls again
Her coo is poignant—
at times it seems happy—
sometimes it seems hollow
or pained.
Idly, I wonder
about her mate,
afraid to find his gray feathers
strewn about and he will be gone.
To my relief, his call comes
distant, from the east
and she answers,
echoing certainly.
Spring 2009
afraid to find his gray feathers
strewn about and he will be gone.
To my relief, his call comes
distant, from the east
and she answers,
echoing certainly.
Spring 2009
Child
Child
You hold your hand against mine like a mirror image.
You put on my shoes.
You measure your height against mine.
I am your measure.
I hope I am large enough.
My life touches you in ways yet to be seen
as you watch my everyday actions and interactions.
I want to be worthy of your admiration.
I hope I am a good example
who will inspire you
and bring you no harm,
and help you to your best destiny.
You put on my shoes.
You measure your height against mine.
I am your measure.
I hope I am large enough.
My life touches you in ways yet to be seen
as you watch my everyday actions and interactions.
I want to be worthy of your admiration.
I hope I am a good example
who will inspire you
and bring you no harm,
and help you to your best destiny.
2009
An Elegant Terror
An Elegant Terror
and see her again
Deep, glossy black
with a faint pattern
barely discernible
on her luxurious coat.
This panther is not leaping
for my jugular
or pouncing on my child.
Instead, she lies dead in the dirt.
A fine dust
covering her body,
tongue protruding through her saber-like teeth.
Flies buzz around her,
their iridescent green bodies
match the former glossiness
of her beautiful fur
now shoddy and sad
in the bright, hot morning light.
I return with a shovel,
unable to tolerate the thought
of the encroaching ravens and buzzards
ripping through hair and flesh.
My shovel scrapes with a satisfying rhythm
as the hole deepens
to bury this elegant terror.
Fall 2008
Burrowed—
Burrowed--
near the roots of a buck-brush bush,
with tightly wrapped buds
waiting to bring forth gray green leaves
and deep red, tasteless berries—
Burrowed—
in dark, dry grass and a down lined funnel—
No moves
No sounds
No smells—
Burrowed—
lie baby bunnies
waiting to grow
into their given place
on the cycle of life
some will be eaten by hungry, growing predators—
who also must take their place—
others go forth to multiply
as the way of Nature dictates.
Spring 2009
The Twilight of My Mind
The Twilight of My Mind
as I climb the stairs to seek rest,
my body is tired
but I see my pen
and I think just one, one line
and then he will let me sleep.
But the twilight fuels my hand
as my fingers grip the pen
and my mind frees with a fatigue
which leadens my lids.
My mind leaps for the darkness
And as the moon climbs,
my muse stirs in his sleep.
His dreams arouse my desire
to create a perfect image;
my hand races to record the ethereal thoughts
before he fully turns to embrace me
and I fall into his sleep.
2008
Bright Day
Bright Day
A certain earthy smell.
The fragrance of grass,
damp soil,
leaves ready to fall.
The cleanest light
beams onto this
as
it glistens
upon a pond
and
the newness of autumn
brightens my soul
and
polishes it for winter.
Autumn 2008
Loss
Loss
In the funeral stillness of the chapel
We wait.
Together we begin to sing
How Great Thou Art?
Our finish brings silence as
We wait.
The preacher's somber voice
brings words of solace, faith and forgiveness.
Prayer is quiet
and we wait
in the silence
as grief permeates the walls
and we soak in the enormity
of our loss.
Faith and salvation are the theme
as we learn that her
name is written
in the palm of God's hand
as He comes to take her home.
We sing Rock of Ages
The piano's final chords ring melancholy
in the impending silence.
The walls of the chapel
shudder with our realization.
We wait no more
and grief shines on our faces
as we rise to meet our
life without her.
Marsha Salerno September 2007
In the funeral stillness of the chapel
We wait.
Together we begin to sing
How Great Thou Art?
Our finish brings silence as
We wait.
The preacher's somber voice
brings words of solace, faith and forgiveness.
Prayer is quiet
and we wait
in the silence
as grief permeates the walls
and we soak in the enormity
of our loss.
Faith and salvation are the theme
as we learn that her
name is written
in the palm of God's hand
as He comes to take her home.
We sing Rock of Ages
The piano's final chords ring melancholy
in the impending silence.
The walls of the chapel
shudder with our realization.
We wait no more
and grief shines on our faces
as we rise to meet our
life without her.
Marsha Salerno September 2007
Autumn Angst
Autumn Angst
Insects sing
louder,
desperately.
Cooler
days are welcome
but the price
will be
death for all.
Beauty shines brightest
and most rare
cloaked in
russet browns
of autumn's
golden
last rays.
Autumn 2007
The Moon on the Prairie
The Moon on the Prairie
It is hot
but I open the window
and turn off the air.
The crickets and frogs
are ever-present
as I tune out the city traffic.
and hear the leaves whisper on the trees
as they whoosh and sigh.
A far-off train
vibrates the air with its lonely,
off tune whistle.
The evening breeze
is alive and cool;
refreshing to my air-conditioned soul.
I close my eyes and
I know the moon shines on the prairie.
Marsha Salerno
It is hot
but I open the window
and turn off the air.
The crickets and frogs
are ever-present
as I tune out the city traffic.
and hear the leaves whisper on the trees
as they whoosh and sigh.
A far-off train
vibrates the air with its lonely,
off tune whistle.
The evening breeze
is alive and cool;
refreshing to my air-conditioned soul.
I close my eyes and
I know the moon shines on the prairie.
Marsha Salerno
Long Life (For My Grandfather)
Long Life (For My Grandfather)
I lament the fact
that my work-worn body
has betrayed me
at the last of my life
which has been so
full, so beautiful
with its frights
and pleasures and
every day’s forgotten moments.
I hope they see beyond this
worn-out shell and into
the depths—
deep into my past—
our past—
when all was sharp and clear
without weakness.
Will I stay in this state so
long that they cannot
remember me
in my strength?
Will they remember dependence—
my reliance instead of my power?
Such a fleeting time
I stay in this state.
does it remake my life
only because it occurs at the end?
Marsha Salerno
has betrayed me
at the last of my life
which has been so
full, so beautiful
with its frights
and pleasures and
every day’s forgotten moments.
I hope they see beyond this
worn-out shell and into
the depths—
deep into my past—
our past—
when all was sharp and clear
without weakness.
Will I stay in this state so
long that they cannot
remember me
in my strength?
Will they remember dependence—
my reliance instead of my power?
Such a fleeting time
I stay in this state.
does it remake my life
only because it occurs at the end?
Marsha Salerno
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