You Take My Breath Away

Whenever I begin to think of you I smile,
This heart of mine just sails away there’s no denial,
You have captured everything
Oh, you take my breath away.

And when I hear you talk the clouds just roll away,
The beauty in your walk the sun comes out to play,
You have captured everything,
Yes, you take my breath away.

I have done some things that have made you cry,
Don’t you know I’d give anything?
Promise you my love if you let me try,
My very life to you I bring.

The stars are out tonight above the golden sea,
The moon is full we walk the sand it’s you and me,
You put your hand in mine,
Oh, you take my breath away.

Now slowly you just turn to me and start to sway,
We dance and hold each other ‘til the start of day,
As you have your hand in mine,
Oh, you take my breath away,
Yes, you take my breath away.

And as morning comes you fly away,
Into our world you now are carrying-
This very dawning of our brightest day,
You’ve put on our wedding ring.

The world is brighter now than it has ever been,
Can hardly wait to see your smiling face again,
You have captured everything,
Oh, you take my breath away.

At end of day you run to me with open arms,
I hold you close enveloped in your loving charms,
Then you put your hand in mine,
Oh, you take my breath away,
Yes, you take my breath away,
Yes, you take my breath away,
Yes, you take my breath away!

Peter Lowell Paulson
December 31, 2010

The Last Candy Cane

The Last Candy Cane

The last candy cane,

On our Christmas tree,

As holidays wane,

It holds every key.

Of reverie keen,

From every grandchild,

To the manger scene,

The Christ child so mild.

As Christmas songs play,

I take down the star,

The lights on the way,

Unwinding thus far.

And ornaments sure,

Each one skillfully,

Protected and pure,

This done willfully.

The tree now removed,

We sweep where it trains,

It’s check and reproved,

For keeping remains.

Yet one could allow,

An occupant free,

A candy cane now,

Is hanging with glee.

It says to us all,

To everyone here,

Christmas will call

"A joyous new year!"

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 30, 2010

Snow

Beautiful bountiful white,

Eternal, ethereal rest,

Internal emotional sight,

Snow covered earth at its best.

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 25, 2010

Grandma's Christmas

Grandma’s Christmas

The flickering fiery fairy lights upon the tree just glow,

The colors seem so vibrant on the sled with big red bow,

And every Christmas cookie with aroma fills the air,

You taught us well your spirit in our heart your presence there.

Each bough each branch on evergreen is blanketed in white,

A cardinal blasts the snow from one as up in air takes flight,

We know how much you loved these birds as they would come to feed.

And rifle through the millet for the blackened sunflower seed.

You’d watch your Christmas with a cup from windowed breakfast nook,

From many paneled panes of glass this where you sat to look,

Now years have gone you’ve passed the torch and giv'n unto us,

The joy of Christmas gatherings the loving and the fuss.

The short potbellied Santa statuette is standing near,

To keep a watchful eye on preparations this is clear,

To draw the big fine turkey from oven on the run,

And quickly make your gravy perfectly as you have done.

And now that all are seated contemplating all the while,

How you would stand beside the table with a broadened smile,

Elation felt as you would know to have your family,

To gather all the ones you can at Christmas happily.

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 24, 2010

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

All alone

By the sea

Hardly free

Hands upraised

People phased

Masses walk

Hardly talk

Baskets hold

Goods are sold

Those who give

Hardly live

Men have used

Women abused

Children run

Hardly fun

A place on earth

Tremendous dearth

Justice lean

Hardly seen

People fear

Shed no tear

Help around

Hardly found

In God’s belief

Constant relief

In life turmoil

Toward heaven toil.

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 7, 2010