My Name Is Paula: A Portal of Projects

Poetry

Poetry and songwriting are two major creative outlets for me.

I contributed to DailyHaiku.org during one of the site's six-month cycles. That work is featured in the site's first print collection.

Much of my work has an inspirational theme. Have a read . . .

One

Listen to the wind,
so soft as it whispers
and embraces our beings
as One.
So gentle it coaxes,
so graceful it flies,
lacing us together
if only for a moment,
with calming peace
that fills the air
and is breathed, into
One Heart,
One Mind,
One World.

Published in Pocket Prayers: 36 Praises & Graces For All Faiths, Chronicle Books, October 2006.

Rainforest Life

In the trees
Far above,
Live the creatures
Of this forest.
Fragile canopies protect them,
Natural growth feeds them.
Life sustains life
In this tropical wilderness.

May the forces of civilization,
with its fire and
Machines of destruction
Be still,
So the chirping,
And swinging,
Crawling, and singing,
Last forever.
Amen.

Published in Animal Blessings: Prayers and Poems Celebrating Our Pets, Harper Collins San Francisco, October 2000.

On Passover, We Remember

Around this table
We celebrate the
Survival, Perseverance,
And Faith
Of those wandering spirits
Who escaped from their shackles,
Emerging towards freedom
To bring forth a
Nation from which
We grow, and for our
Future generations
To continue in
Freedom and Peace,
To always draw
Strength from those who
Went before.

Published in Family Celebrations: Prayers, Poems, and Toasts for Every Occasion: Andrews McMeel Publishing, March 1999, p. 153.

A Lonely Rose

A lonely rose
Lay upon the sidewalk.
Barely bruised,
Not trod upon,
I picked it up,
Placed it to my lips.
Silky softness
Wrapped in a wet
Kerchief, I carried
It off from the
Place of desertment.
It has a new
Home now.

The Sidewalk

Two boys fell onto the sidewalk;
One of them rose
Quickly raising his arm
As the other ran away.

The sun shone onto the sidewalk;
Its shadow fell,
But did not burn concrete,
Subtly did it leave its mark.

A lover walked upon the sidewalk,
Surprised to be alone.
Determined to find a remedy,
He turned, and crossed the street.

Volume I, Number 3 (July-August-September 1998) issue of electronic publication New Works Review.

Inside Out

Falling inside
Looking upwards
Out, to flowing breezes;
Tall trees
Blowing in and out, in and
Out.
Clutch a handful
Of their leaves-
Caress them,
They are precious.
     Climb the tree;
The top brings
Release.  Looking downwards:
Before there was violence 
Now there is calm;
Below there was silence
You held in your palm.
Let go
And feel the cool breeze move you;
Climb back down-
Slowly move away;
Heading inside
Where your dreams lie,
Where your thoughts fly
Outwards, and back again.

Tide

Like a sailor, The idea floats upon Seas of mind and soul Flowing, knowing, growing Leading Then ending In a port of questions About the journey About the struggle About the sea, How the dock seems Less secure Without the anchor Without the captain Without the harbor. Seamless shoreline Deceiving the shallow shore Washed clean by the tide; No waves crash No ships launch No thunder claps When it rolls.

To the dreamers

That it happens doesn't matter,
It's the willingness of all
Who go forward after stumbling,
Picking up after a fall.

A miracle of wonder
Keeps the motion of the mind;
The thoughts that hide in memory,
The actions of the kind.

The hand that isn't forced
Is the bravest one to rise;
It's not that hard to tell the truth
While shedding a disguise.

If wishes were like diamonds
They would likely be as rare,
But nevertheless as precious
To the ones who dare.

Morning

Nature's power has undone
The startling beauty of the Sun
That shone on Earth with much delight;
But now she hides away with fright.

The terror of the raging wind
Removes all calm, again to sin.
Thunder roars, and in the rain
The lonely man, he feels no pain.

A gripping touch of dawn then breaks,
Ashes from the soul it takes.
The wet ground shimmers with new light;
The shadows vanished with the night.

Absolutes

I'll never be a pilot,
Dancing in the sky.
The ground would be too far away;
I fear I will not fly.

I'll never be a sailor,
Living on the sea.
The waves would rock me to and fro;
That life is not for me.

I'll never be doctor,
Healing those in need.
I crumple at the sight of pain;
Of this, I must concede.

I'll never be a soldier,
Fighting in a war.
The chance would be too great I'd die,
And never know what for.

If these words appear to you
As stubborn or absurd,
Find solace in your perfect ways,
So you can rest assured.