ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

This is an unusual autumn for us Minnesotans. We’ve been known to have blizzards in October, which leave us helpless and isolated. We’ve also experienced tornados and thunderstorms. This year we’ve been enjoying unseasonably hot and humid temperatures. All of which sets my allergies on fire. I am grateful I have air conditioning in my car and home. I look forward to getting the flannel out of storage and warm cuddly sweaters. While I wait, I am always finding another painting which characterizes Paul’s talent as an artist for all seasons. This painting was done with his class of plein air painters. The intimate little group would always come up with amazing art, especially when God was actively adding His paintbrush to the green trees and underbrush. You can see Paul’s hand in this photo, putting some finishing touches on an acrylic painting on canvas within a pumpkin patch.

Pumpkins orange and trees of gold will soon be gone and done,

No longer will the crimson leaves lay carpets at our feet,

Greens turned to yellow, brown and rust, God’s timeline has outrun,

Harvest has been gathered and stored, and winter soon we’ll greet.

Now skeletal branches swaying, dancing with grace and style,

Reminders of our mortal lives, telling us to slow down,

Enjoy the ride where it may go, and take it mile by mile,

Each day is a gift so live it, soon you will wear a crown.

God breathes in life for a purpose, and we’re a part of that,

We live to share His gracious love, we die to life once more,

Like seasons we change our colors, we learn how to adapt,

But God remains in His heavens, opening up the door.

When life no longer sustains us, we shrivel and we die,

We shed our skin and turn to dust, our soul is still alive,

What God’s Son, Jesus did for us, will lift that soul on high,

Through heaven’s gate we’ll walk right in, and we will never die.