ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

The art of Paul Boecher often included beautiful landscapes, water and boats, rocks and mountains and waterfalls. For the most part, when painting with his plein air friends, they would choose a popular location at which to set their easels and lay some paint. This particular one was done at Fort Snelling in St. Paul, MN. The fort was built in 1805 and has been restored over the years to become a historical place to visit in Minnesota. Seth Eastman was one of the early artists who studied the native Dakota people who were the first settlers in the area. He painted many scenes including them. The location was ideal for a military fort because it’s a place where two rivers come together. Paul was able to combine his love for history, with the early 1800s, the bluffs that surround the river and the buildings with so much character.

When human lives invade the land, it’s bound to take its toll,

Like sin corrupts and sucks out life, investing in our soul,

These precious remnants of our land must not be overrun,

By those who care so little for what God has once begun.

The hand of God is evident, His finger formed the seas,

The mountain ranges still stand tall, the forests full of trees,

The waters raging over rocks, the splendid waterfalls,

The valleys green, the tepid springs, outshine man’s greedy calls.

Will all these places die some day, destroyed by man’s own hand,

Will animals that once flourished soon vanish from the land.

These places are not permanent, in time they too will fall,

But our God’s love never changes, He’s with us through it all.

Though our sin will still run rampant, infecting all our land,

Our God remains in charge of things, the world’s at His command,

But in the meantime may we try to keep our secure

So they will fill the hearts of those who follow and endure.