Family Gathering in Dalton City

February 19, 2017

Family Gathering in Dalton City

After a family lunch with a combined birthday celebration of two grandkids (one in each family grouping) I decided to slip over to the couch to close my eyes while the grandkids played. Occasionally one, or another grandchild would ask me to “open this”, or “find that”, but mostly I (Grandpa) “rested with my eyes closed”. Finally my four year-old granddaughter McKenna said loudly, “Grandpa, it’s time for you to wake up and go home for a nap!” I smiled and asked her, “Was I snoring?” My four year-old grandson, Reid, who was standing looking at me on the other side of my lap (while smiling) reported, “No! You were boring!!”

Pacem, Pacem

Pacem, Pacem

Amid the roar, disquiet and din,

This rumbling world of war within,

Our civil union yearns to bear,

A solemn peace for all to share.

Oh, chasm wide and deeply cleft,

Has left the soul of peace bereft,

She seemingly has set to sea,

In search of calmer shores to be.

Oh, greater nation turn the cheek,

Seek out the least, the lame the meek,

Forgive to melt all inner frost,

And, lend a hand to those who’ve lost.

Amid the roar, disquiet and din,

This rumbling world of war within,

Our civil union yearns to soar,

With peace and love forevermore.

Peter Lowell Paulson

February 5, 2017

Only Love

Only Love

Where is love,

It is in God the source of it,

If love is expressed,

Then God is in us,

Love’s expression manifests itself,

In love to others,

To those who hate and despise,

Love is the only answer,

To evil,

To sin,

To despair,

It is in forgiving,

That we are forgiven,

Love is what cures,

Love is what remains,

Love is what endures,

A heart filled with love,

Is pleasing to God,

Only love,

Only love!

Peter Lowell Paulson

January 23, 2017

Rainy Winter Scene

Rainy Winter Scene

Confluence of light,

Gathered on puddled rain,

Dark shadows,

Absorbing as much as night will allow,

Its night’s morning time,

It holds every power,

Tenacious in capacity,

Unyielding,

Voracious,

Still fomenting light pursues its dark captor,

And, dances,

In rippled delight,

It holds me, too,

This light,

I love this time of night morning,

Especially in the rainy cold of winter,

It frees my soul,

Light will win the battle,

Darkness pervades,

But, it forgets,

It forgets that,

Light brings life,

Light brings laughter,

And,

Light brings love!

Peter Lowell Paulson

January 12, 2017

New Year's Day

New Year’s Day

Upon the New Year’s dawning day,

Afresh before the morning sun,

Afore the cusp of morning ray-

Descends; I face the New Year’s run.

Just now the morn’s all rosy bloom,

Diffuses through the leafless tree,

I see each bud’s potential loom,

In spring will burst in grandeur; Free!

And free I’ll run as God permits,

The course uncharted fore me now,

And, ask the Lord as heart commits,

To serve as inner strengths allow.

I thank you, Lord, for everything,

Each gift I’m undeserv-ed of,

And, on this New Year’s Day I sing,

All praise for Your enduring love!

Peter Lowell Paulson

January 1, 2017

Choirs

Chores

Life is fun; it never bores,
For it’s filled with countless chores,
Clean the cat box, vac the rugs,
Rid the basement of its bugs.

Laundry forces one to think,
Lest you turn her white blouse pink,
Lint drawer clean, and clothes so dry,
Folded piles up to the sky.

Grocery store; the endless run,
Mealtime work is never done,
Peel and chop and make the grub,
Rinse the plates, and scrub, scrub, scrub.

Polish, cleaner, rags a must,
Objects rid of dingy dust,
Tables, chairs look like they’re new,
Don’t forget the lampshades, too.

Windows are another thing,
Thoroughness in fall and spring,
We leave untouched; we ne’er disdain,
The grandkids’ prints on window pane!

Peter Lowell Paulson
December 22, 2016

Wedding Day

Wedding Day

We travel through the waves and wafts of white and shifting snow,
A wedding where we meet the groom and of the bride we know,
A group of friends, cathedral bound, will gather there to view,
Before our Christ and witnesses the words professed, “I do”.

Now parents tear remembering their little girl now,
Their babe in white and ribbon smiles is all grown up somehow,
The tall and handsome groom he takes his hands and gently holds-
Her hands in his; they’re facing now new life as it unfolds.

Peter Lowell Paulson
December 16, 2016
In dedication to a wedding of our dear friends’ daughter