Some Philosophers

Some Philosophers

So limited perspective man,

Upon the earth so as he claws,

To grasp within the mind of him,

What Heaven and its light it draws.

So lofty and so arrogant,

With logic; self-inflated laud,

A crippl'ng, saddened point of view,

Ensnares him from the mind of God!

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 31, 2015

A Manger and a Star

A Manger and a Star

A manger and a star one night in tiny Bethlehem,

Brought forth a weary couple, and a babe was born to them,

How could they know the babe was born for all; not just for some,

As prophets said in days of old into this world he'd come.

Amid the ordered chaos man would search with eyes and ears,

But, now God sent his only son to rend the veil of tears,

To rid us all from earthly woe; he would bear every scar,

Rejoined with us this very night; a manger and a star.

Oh now, Dear One, your life begins on lowly manger hay,

The star still guides all wise men on each Holy, Christmas day,

This joy for each and every one; in nation near and far,

All hope and love revealed within a manger and a star!

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 24, 2015

Hope of the World

Hope of the World

Hope of the world,

Born of God, and unto man,

But, why?

To die upon a cross to save us?

From whom?

What profit anyone to prophecy-

And, point to you…

Unless,

Unless,

You are the one they say you are.

Hope of the world,

Born of God, and unto men,

And, what of them?

To leave their nets,

And, walk with you,

With suffering and sacrifice,

What profit anyone to testify-

And, point to you…

Unless,

Unless,

You are the one they say you are.

Hope of the world,

Born of God, and unto us,

Is this not a newer day?

Where man has mastered mindful things,

Are there poor in spirit,

Meek and mournful,

Those who hunger still for righteousness,

We fail; we fall; we falter still,

We reach to One to pull us through,

What profit anyone to follow…

Unless,

Unless,

You are the One they say you are!

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 21, 2015

Light Up the World at Christmas Time

Light Up the World at Christmas Time

Light up the world at Christmas time,

As simple wonder starts to climb,

As ornaments once more are free,

To finely rest on glowing tree.

Light up the world at Christmas time,

And, fill the air with song and rhyme,

All children running to and fro,

With gifts which Santa will bestow.

Light up the world at Christmas time,

For out of darkness joy sublime-

Will fill each heart with warmth and peace,

And, offer souls their calm release.

Peter Lowell Paulson

December 13, 2015

David and Goliath

David and Goliath

This night before a battle drawn,

At dawn I meet my foe,

One Philistine; a beast of brawn,

Will tarry far below.

And, I a humble man of God,

From you I draw all grace,

Each day I give you praise and laud,

E'en in this terror I face.

I ask you Lord for strength to give,

For true and steady arm,

That Israel once more may live,

Away from ill and harm.

Now, as the sun begins to rise,

On Elah's grassy vale,

I stare into Goliath's eyes,

And, hear his fearsome wail!

For from my leather sling; a stone,

Has torn into his head,

And, on the field I stand alone,

Above the one who's dead.

And, now a kneeling shepherd boy,

Sends prayers and offerings,

All Israel raise shouts of joy,

Unto your King of Kings!

Peter Lowell Paulson

November 3, 2015

A Deep Inviting Wood

A Deep Inviting Wood

Still, still my heart,

I am called to a deep inviting wood,

The leaf blown path beckons,

And, I need only to step,

Yes, step inside,

Yet, until now unmoved,

I peer,

What is beyond the bend unseen?

A hill or vale,

Or glassy sea,

And, I decide to move,

To break the bonds,

Untie each tendril of a tethered world,

I step,

I walk,

I run…

Thrilled and enthralled,

Unfettered,

Forward,

Free!

Peter Lowell Paulson

November 24, 2015

Cold

Cold

Fingers freezing; frosty days,

Ice upon the window plays,

Autumn chills; with skill she hones,

Tapping shiv’ring shoulder bones.

Shirt and sweater; scarf and coat,

Warmer weather now remote,

Hearth and home; my full desire,

Think I’ll build a raging fire!

Peter Lowell Paulson

October 17, 2015

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks for all you've given,

Your bounteous beauty rife,

Thanks for all you’ve taken,

The trouble and the strife,

Thanks for all you’ve left me,

In thanks, I owe my life!

Peter Lowell Paulson

September 12, 2015

Beautiful Day

Beautiful Day

I spied a little hummingbird; its wings began to dip,

Upon a flowered basket long enough to take a sip,

And, on this gorgeous summer's day my heart is filled with bliss,

I can't imagine any day could be as fine as this!

Peter Lowell Paulson

August 25, 2015

Little Granddaughters

Little Granddaughters

Grandsons make me proud,

Pop my buttons proud,

Granddaughters take my breath away,

It's seen in simple things,

When they stoop to pick up a toy,

There is reflection of the thing,

Rather than power and control,

There is want of knowing it,

There is personification,

They will talk to a rubber ducky,

As if it were a baby duck,

I saw this in my daughter, too,

But, now again,

And, I have more time,

To enjoy the nuance,

When she runs in a little dress,

And, pretends to fall,

The dress opening as a flower as she sits, and exclaims,

"I am falling!"

When she laughs with delight,

And, turns her head to see if I am watching,

I can laugh, too,

With pure abandon,

With pure love,

With pure joy,

Knowing,

She is my granddaughter!

Peter Lowell Paulson

August 19, 2015

Paradiso

Paradiso

Glimpses of paradise,

Heaven held,

If only for a short time,

In an infant's smile,

A mother's tender touch,

A child's laughter,

A father's firm embrace,

Little of holes in heaven,

Through which we see,

God's love,

Every day!

Peter Lowell Paulson

August 11, 2015

Relentless Rain II

Relentless Rain II

Relentless rain,

Resolute,

Reminiscent,

Of days gone by,

Boyhood days,

Unencumbered,

Free to fancy,

Free to fascinate,

Free to fly,

Free,

Just free!

Peter Lowell Paulson

August 6, 2015

Stillness

Stillness

Stillness,

Just before the dawn,

Quiet rules the senses,

It envelopes my soul,

Enraptured by silence,

Worries asea,

I am able to be,

Fully me,

In stillness,

In stillness.

Peter Lowell Paulson

Always

Always

Across the great divide with simple loneliness; despair,

Across the great divide how could I find someone to care?

When days were dark in brightest sun and life was hard to bear,

I've found my life was filled with love for you were always there!

Peter Lowell Paulson

July 21, 2015

Hope

Hope

The heavy lids of dawn now ope',

Upon my everlasting hope,

That this fair day all filled with dew,

Each step I take; I'll take with You!

Peter Lowell Paulson

June 27, 2015

The Scolding Wren

The Scolding Wren

Forgive the wren his scolding song,

Except he does it all day long,

He taunts the birds both red and blue,

Derides a squirrel who's passing through.

He goads a crow that flies above,

Insults the peaceful Mourning Dove,

Today I laughed for in his plight,

He chased his shadow out of sight!

Peter Lowell Paulson

June 23, 2015

My God

My God

Soft mists above the water rise,

I see my God before my eyes,

When every bird and bee takes wing,

I see my God in everything.

Blue skies above; gold sun that soars,

Reminds me that my God restores-

My soul once more; this day will sing,

I see my God in everything.

Whatever trial for me betide,

My God is always by my side,

Some tears; some joys this life will bring,

I'll see my God in everything!

Peter Lowell Paulson

June 3, 2015

Cold Spring Morning

Cold Spring Morning

Cold Spring morning,

Cold Spring breeze,

I freeze,

The trees are flush with birds.

White flowers dot the hillside,

A mallard and mate saunter by,

They test each fallen seed,

The sun hides his face behind a cloud laden sky,

And, I,

With freezing fingers fumbling,

Furtively smile,

Alone, but not unwanted,

So happy,

To be alive!

Peter L. Paulson

May 20, 2015

Ray

Ray

Oh, fallen friend,

The battle fought,

With loving wife,

Unwavering devotion,

By your side,

Step by step,

Through life,

And, even death,

But, even death,

Will ne’er deter her love for you,

And, we remember,

(Though some tears must fall),

Your stalwart stance,

Strength and stamina,

Your ready smile,

Your hearty soul,

Your laugh,

I hear you laugh,

And, when I do,

I know you’re free,

In God’s great hands,

Forever!

Peter Lowell Paulson

May 11, 2015

Dedicated to a loving husband and father, Ray Day

Apple Blossoms

Apple Blossoms

Apple blossoms bloom,

Balustrades of beauty,

Plumes of fiery red and perfect pinks,

Amidst a blizzard of white,

A suspended snowfall,

Persephone reigns,

The dance of spring begins,

Earth’s youthful splendor revealed,

And, all nature sighs,

Once more!

Peter Lowell Paulson

April 30, 2015

Your Will

Your Will

It’s only God that holds me high,

When I feel hurt; about to die,

If I am faced with grief and pain,

Your will for me will e’re remain.

While man’s great intellect on earth-

May solve grand problems and have worth,

Is it the “ultimate”; my god?

Do I bow down and give it laud?

Or having riches, land or pow’r,

Are these my gods when life is dour?

I hate to say I’ve tried each one,

Until my life became undone.

And, now undone, and on my knees,

Yes, bent and broken I said, “Please,”

“Oh, take my life and make it thine,”

I want Your will; please make it mine!”

Peter Lowell Paulson

April 28, 2015

Inside Day

Inside Day

It’s an inside day,

 Drizzly, drippy, drowsy,

Lost to the outside,

Drifting on a dream,

Drawn inward to face outward,

Hugs and kisses are within reach,

Love rules every decision,

I love,

I crave,

Inside days!

Peter Lowell Paulson

April 25, 2015