Still Life

Walking upon the frozen lake
surrounded by silent woods
unseen wildlife's watchful eyes
crystal clear blue sky
crisp air attempts to caress
remnants of skin unclothed
water and ice tussle in delight
surface cracks unfold
footsteps linger---listening
as winter and spring rustle
a ping---a sing---unseen
beneath this frozen lake
nature creates this wonderland
for hearts and souls to rejoice
untouchable----protected
wrapped in powerful beauty
comforted by His sublime
mysterious hand that paints
the surface of this earth in ever
changing wonder which unfold
before our eyes


Pauline 2010

Autumn's Rebirth

Autumn the season

that says goodbye

leaves flutter an

autumnal dance and

rest upon earths floor

yet an unexpected

invitation surprisingly

arrives bringing me to

witness rebirth from

on high

baptismal water and lifted

hearts

choir fulfilling angelic sounds

autumn's goodbye is no longer

found

our spirits are stretched

passing through invisible bounds

©2008Pauline

gift of witnessing an adult baptismal ceremony

Dawn

The Lord plays with
color this morning
pink-orange blends
into yellow-cream
greeting a grey-blue
sky with dramatic flare
He has placed this color
pallet over rooftops
blanketed by fresh fallen
snow
roof colors purified dressed
in soft white robes

©2008 Pauline

Maiden of the Stars

Cepheus and Cassiopeia
bring forth a daughter
named Princess Andromeda
who rests upon a dardened
cobalt sky
yet at her side she tends
the pulse beat
of one hundred billion stars
silently blinking messages
seen many light years away
and we receive today this
message while standing here
on earth beneath a crisp
November sky

©2008 Pauline

Fireplace

Simplicity of warmth
rays of sunshine once
absorbed now returned
transformed through a
dance of ignited flames
that comfort and embrace
my heart
my mind
my face
as I sit before the hearth
enraptured by the fireplace
and its simplicity of warmth

©2008 Pauline

The Open Door

The open door stood

welcoming me into

the silence

into its peace

and so I chose

to linger there

softly stating my concerns

words unspoken now released

upon the silence

known as prayer

©2008 photo and verse Pauline

Flame of Love

Flame of love

flame of remembrance

you dance within

the unseen

movement of air

burning brightly

as you stretch

reaching for the home

of heaven

that you now share

©2008 Pauline photo and verse

Sticks and Stones

Upon a forest floor

a mixture of textures

can be found

the rustle of life heard

foraging, planning

for winter survival

upon a forest floor

lessons

can be found

lessons

can be learned

©2008 photo and verse by Pauline

Rebirth

Like my garden of flowers

we plant, we toil, we cut

our blooms of beauty

All too soon fall appears and

we watch the earth reclaim

but in hopefulness and faith

we believe and wait for spring

will come again!

Pauline©2008

Visiting Gaden Jangtse Monks

Words from the heavens interpreted
Sharing tea and sweet rice

Pauline, daughter, grandaughter
receive gifts both visible and invisible
from this amazing visit by Tibetan monks...

Serenity

Serenity in nature
medicinal steps
earth, tree, wind
silence at its best
power all embracing
from within
serenity in nature
God's gift of healing
just beyond our next
step
searching, longing, striving,
reaching toward the power
encircled by forest sounds
where stillness of the heart
abounds

©Pauline 2008

THE POWER WITHIN YOU

Life’s journey can at times feel like an endless winding road. We grow weary and uncertain of what event lies unseen just beyond that next bend. These concerns can be magnified by hurtful past experiences. Sadly we cling to memories that cast shadows from our yesterdays and they project a shadow land onto the gift of today and
the promise of each tomorrow. Each of us is here to experience life with its full range of emotions: pain and sorrow, anger and regret, joy and happiness as well as love and loss.Who among us could say the journey is without pain? Who among us would state we have never basked in the joyful presence of life itself? What is this shadow land I
mention? We each have our individual stories, our private sadness, and our hidden storage box of emotional hurts and disappointments. This article is not intended to name them, nor to label and definitely not to eliminate them. My hope is that in reading we will be willing for a moment to acknowledge our individual shadows and shine some light into the darkness thus permitting the freedom of release and administration of healing to take place. In this way we will be capable of erasing negative hurts and opening our heart and spirit to the freedom of forgiveness. Often it is forgiveness of another we struggle to overcome. Surprisingly we forget the need to forgive ourselves and we hold on to negative energies locked inside. The powerful gift of forgiveness delivers a weightlessness of mind, spirit, heart. It is a release of tension and an acceptance of our human imperfection. Give yourself and that certain someone you are holding in the shadow land forgiveness and experience the power within you to celebrate abundant freedom. Embrace the gift of happiness and openness of your heart, mind, soul, and spirit for the power is truly within you! Enjoy the wings of freedom as your shadows are released into the universe and you are once again set free to live fully the gift of joy and happiness found in the offering of today. Gone are all your captive shadows of yesterdays! You are restored to celebrate life offered in this new day! I am extending an invitation for you to experience a day without shadows. Offering to you an experience of forgiveness and the joy of a peaceful heart. You choose to hold the chamber locked or set it free. For the power is within you to forgive and with that forgiveness we can each fully embrace a new day.

©2008 Pauline

Dona Nobis Pacem

Lovely Lady dressed in Blue,

Teach me how to pray!

God was just your little Boy,

Tell me what to say!

Did you lift Him up, sometimes,

Gently, on your knee?

Did you sing to Him the way

Mother does to me?

Did you hold His hand at night?

Did you ever try

Telling stories of the world?

O! And did He cry?

Do you really think He cares

If I tell Him things---

Little things that happen?

And Do the Angels' wings

Make noise? And can He hear

Me if I speak low?

Does He understand me now?

Tell me--for you know?

Lovely Lady dressed in blue,

Teach me how to pray!

God was just your little Boy.

And you know the way.

author unknown

The Temple Visit

The unlocked door

welcomed me to

a visit in this temple

where carpeted floor

announced to me that

shoes must be removed

sitting barefoot silently

I offered my prayers

Buddha sat observing me

hushed tears came forth

to cleanse my face

a worker passing by glanced

over with a nod and with this

silent gesture he acknowledged

all my prayers

does it matter how or where

people offer up their prayers

does it matter if the rituals are

not similar to yours

in this place of meditation

was devotion to some power

acknowledgement of strength

a spirit of gratitude for its

presence

©2008Pauline

Treaures Unseen

Our ocean
rich with plankton
green and sustaining
this gift of sea brings
whales that feast upon
its menu such treasures
lie unseen beneath the
surface of this green
thank you lord for
calling me to turn my
eyes upon your sea
where bountiful treasures
wait hidden
not yet visible to me

written by Pauline©2008

Such Folly

The Lord spoke
you heard only
thunder
the angels cried
you perceive it
as rain
such folly of our
childish wonder
we hear but do
not comprehend
we see yet permit
named logic to
override
the lord speaks
we must strive to
listen
the angels guide
we must set aside
our human vision

written by Pauline©2008

February Bliss

Small Angels

Angels disguised
as children came
to my door today
their hands
exposed to the cold
with shovels they
displayed
I lent them gloves
and warmed
them both with
steaming cups
of cocoa
just as
frustration's grip
was reaching
deep inside
God rang the
doorbell of the
house
presenting these
small angels
glove-less hands
earnest eyes
tender hearts
they offered help
somethings we
should not
analyze
somethings we
cannot understand

written by Pauline©2008

Orion

In my smallness
I stand before you
Orion
clear and visible this night
pressed upon a black
felt sky your
seven stars capture
me with wonder
mythical stories fill
my head of books
so long ago now read
Orion
clear and bright
you hold my
attention this moment
this night
captured
by your light
your statement of
strength and beauty
that fills my mind this
treasured night

written by Pauline©2008

New Beginnings

Fresh fallen snow covers
the ground
blanketing yesterday
bells, fireworks, parades
welcome new beginnings
as we close the door to
yesterday silently with
some regret
we watch the new year
unfurl the gifts of hope
joy and expectation
may we each be blessed by
His guiding hand
to help us grow and understand
lessons hidden in our tribulations
the fire of hope for desired salvation

written by Pauline©2008