Those Eyes

A slender frame and curly hair,
A child’s laugh that fills the air,
Her family sees she hasn’t a care,
In her happy eyes,
Those bright dazzling eyes.

A changing stage the teenage years,
The shifting ground and unfounded fears,
At times is seen in welling of tears,
Within those young eyes,
Those marvelous eyes.

Then out with the girls; on a Saturday night,
Full figured at twenty and everything’s right,
A young man is looking; he’s captured the sight,
Of her lovely eyes,
Those magical eyes.

The months fly by and a marital kiss,
Then children grown; and their life pure bliss,
And each treasured moment, oh, ne'er would he miss,
The joy in her eyes,
Those fabulous eyes.

Through each age he loved her was steadfast and true,
As he sits by her holding her hand in his too,
“I adored you the moment you stepped into view’”
“With those gorgeous eyes”,
“Those beautiful eyes”.

Peter Lowell Paulson
December 31, 2011

Two Birds

Twitter, twitter, twit, twit, twit,

Chitter, chitter, chit, chit, chit,

Two birds up in that tree I see,

I wish that would not bother me,

As in my chair I sit, sit, sit,

I wish those birds would quit, quit, quit,

They give my head a fit, fit, fit.

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 28, 2011

Snow Fall

Mere specks of white,

Multitudes and hosts,

Continual and constant,

Filling the sky and falling, falling, falling,

Street lamp obscured by a blanket of snow,

A lazy, hazy fall,

Light dusting on everything below,

Defining winter in late December,

Helping us remember,

Letting us drift into childhood,

Once again.

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 27, 2011

The Young Doe

Soft her silhouette she slips upon the darkened lawn,
And, backlit, moonlit; stealthily no larger than a fawn,
And I am seated breathlessly in shadow so subdued,
Those inner fine-tuned senses say that she is now reviewed.

The bitter cold, the arctic air, the wintry wind just blows,

All frozen time; unmoving now the deer with iced repose,
Yet slowly now she turns her head, oh what a beauteous sight,
And I remain as still as stone for fear of causing fright.

More sure of safe surrounding now she steps toward barren trees,

Then quickly starts to pick away each springtime bud she sees,
And for dessert she paused awhile upon the cedar hedge,
And unafraid she promenades toward towering forest’s edge.

And all at once behind the hedge unseen before my eye,

The largest antlered buck creeps in; for he’d been standing nigh,
Through shadows deep he looked at me as if to say, “Now Sir,”
“The doe was never e’er alone for I protected her.”

And nonchalant he saunters toward his watched and waiting mate,

Together once again they move through Nemestrinus’ gate,
How wondrous natures offerings; oh may they never cease,
These dusky hues and moonlit views bring quiet inward peace.

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 25, 2011

Quiet, Silent

Quiet, silent,
Hushed,
Soundless bliss,
Alone,
Not lonely,
Thoughts flow,
Uninterrupted,
Sitting still,
Unmoving,
Yet, moved,
Calm,
Yet, captivated,
Not enough moments like these,
To be at peace,
Unadulterated peace,
Sh-sh-sh-sh,
I can’t hear the wind,
Come sit by me,
If only for a minute,
Make it two,
And, enjoy,
Quiet, silent,
Ah-h-h-h!

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 18, 2011

My Mother Saw a Christmas Elf

My mother saw a Christmas elf again outside our house,

She looked surprised she told us all, “Be quiet like a mouse,”

“Come quickly to the window now and look across the street,”

“Behind that bush he’s rather small, with green shoes on his feet.”

My brother looked and so did I; we searched so we might see,

My Dad said, “No, he’s over there, he ran behind that tree!”

My brother squealed, “I see him now he’s rather short and fat,”

I looked real hard and said to him, “I think that is a cat.”

My Dad said, “Yes, I see that cat; the elf is over there,”

“He’s run up to the neighbor’s house and hiding by the stair,”

“Well, Santa must be checking now on children for his list,”

“He’s very good at doing that so no one should be missed.”

“So boys be extra good today in case he peeks in here,”

“For Christmas day is coming soon; it’s really very near,”

My brother talked to me and said, “I think we should be kind,”

“We’ll put some cookies on the porch the elf is sure to find.”

My mother smiled and said to us, “That’s really rather sweet,”

“I’m sure the elf would love to find your special Christmas treat,”

The cookie plate was put outside so we could watch and wait,

To see if our good Christmas elf would come and take the bait.

While we were watching our front porch our mother she did shout,

“Come quickly to the kitchen now"; we ran and all looked out,

We heard the fading jingle bell that’s on the elfin shoe,

We ran back to our porch and saw our cookies were gone, too.

We missed the sighting of our elf this wondrous merry year,

But we were happy as could be for Christmas day was near,

And every night we’d dream again as in our beds we’d lay,

How mother saw the Christmas elf outside our house one day.

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 17, 2011

Layered Life - Sonnet XV

I comprehend my life in layers now,

Grandparents, parents, now my child’s child,

Though yet unborn; pure happiness defiled,
Oh, Death before this mystery I bow,
Your cold and icy offerings endow,
Sweet memories and vivid dreams run wild-
Bereft, I’m often wondering beguiled,
What upside of your nature you allow,
I turn around and all at once I see,
The purest joy on every living face,
Now sun breaks forth in brilliant sky above,
Below grandchildren run and laugh with glee,
My family and friends fill life with grace,
This heart; my soul is lifted high with love.

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 14, 2011

Every Christmas Light

Every Christmas light tonight it just reminds me of the star,

And the Wiseman who would search for Him in Bethlehem so far,

Gentle babe in Mary’s arms was blessed and sent from God above,

Who would capture the whole world that eve with pure and vibrant love.

The truth of the existence of this Christ we’ve come to know,

Is the church that does exist today on one’s he did bestow-

With salvation and true life when we would walk his simple way,

Have faith in Christ and God while we just live from day to day.

There are so many people, who will scoff and even jeer,

At believers who would follow the true Christ we hold so dear,

Sit down and read the Bible now, profound its words still show,

These men of doubt existed in that world so long ago.

Resolved they tried to kill our Christ; they’ll never understand,

Why He lives in hearts and minds and souls in each and every land,

When you look beyond the senses which can limit what you see,

You will find an utter knowledge of a life which sets you free.

Every Christian is a sinner; every Christian he will fall,

Appear the utter fool before deriders one and all,

“You"ll be with me in paradise,” our Christ said to the thief,

So no matter what your human flaw with Christ you’ll find relief.

What joy in every Christmas light I see that shines so bright?

Reminds us of the star and birth that ancient blessed night,

And He will come and change your life if you will do your part,

It’s you who must unlock the door and open up your heart.

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 1, 2011