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Best Poems Written by Paul Arnold

Below are the all-time best Paul Arnold poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

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Reflections of a Summer Day

Here I sit on a summer day among the pine trees along a mountain side.
Looking out across the valley below.
I see the colors of summer landscape spread across the valley.
In all shapes and sizes, like a jigsaw puzzle of nature.
The rivers and roads cut across the landscape to places unknown to me.
In the far horizon I see mountains that fade into the blue sky,
with white clouds floating across the sky.
Like sailboats searching for the wind.
The sun filters across the valley floor playing hide and seek with the clouds.
Making the colors of nature into majestic summer day.
The heat of the day sends all seeking comfort of a summer breeze.
With butterflies dancing on the slopes and fields near me.
Overhead I observe falcons fly endlessly in the sky, catching hot summer up drafts from the heated valley floor.
While near me there are pine trees that stretch toward the sky.
Many tall and thin that give shelter from the sun and heat
The fallen pine needles provide me with a gentle soft pillow to sit on.
A front row seat to natures beauty that encompasses me and the valley below.
There is a distinctive sound of the wind which blows though the pine trees.
Like whispering to my soul.
It refreshes the mind and comforts the senses, with the scent of pine.
A time to relax and enjoy the beauty around me.
God’s gentle way to guide me though life's journey.
To find comfort in these minutes of solutude and of reflection on this summer day.

This poem was a memory of a day while I was in survival School for the USAF in Washington State in the 80’s.

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Moisture On a Mirror , Story of Ptsd

Moisture on a mirror
(A story of PTSD)
03/12/16
As I look back on my life.
I know there is a much sadness and a conflict that I did not understand.
Many hours searching for answers that affected my life.
Over a period of time this has destroyed one’s love of life, confidence and self esteem.
It’s similar of two gigantic geographical plates pulling at each under the surface of the earth.
Ready to erupt on a sudden notice like an earthquake.
Which destroys what few accomplishments I have experienced.
This causes me to travel down roads that never lead to final destination or repeating the same conflicts.
Always reaching a certain plateau in life then falling back in frustration and fear.
Some are caused by mistakes in judgment, fear of the unknown or the anger I felt out of fustration.
My desperation not wanting to fail has caused majority of issues in my life.
Never being content with success, or poor judgment due to sense of failure.
Failing at work, relationships, financially or in the eyes of friends and family.
Beating up on one’s self esteem over daily mistakes.
I understand now that this causes the inability see one’s self as a good positive person.
Never finding a way to like that reflection of your self in the bathroom mirror in the morning.
By leaving the moisture on the glass from the shower that hides or distorts the reality of yourself.
This causes the inability to be loved or share life.
Trying to find strength by being alone rather than being with others.
Hiding behind a wall within that protects you from rejection of others.
It’s not the fear of rejection by others that plagues me the most, but that of myself within.
How does one find that love and peace within.
It has as always amazed me how some people the roads of life are straight and narrow.
Always staying focus, peace within, and enjoyment of life and of success.
Finding love in relationships or faith in religion.
And yet others are constantly struggling to find that happiness and love of life.

I have always believed that everyday would be different believing that the solutions to my issues would be found.
As if a guardian Angel would place a hand on my head while sleeping and all would be resolved, by the next morning.
We live in a world that answers to life can be found about any subject in minutes, follow by instructions.
But this was not the case and answers were not to be found within a manual.

There was also a nagging reality that I lived with daily, that was I never was able to find love in relationships.
Never connecting with others, so my journey through life has been alone.
While excepting this negative perception by others as a reality.
This causes you to doubt your confidence even more of your appearance.
Which will lead you down avenues of desperation and quick answers that lead only to emptiness .
Desperation has a unique ability to find company of others that lead you on paths of self destruction or distraction.
So as of today I start a new journey in life.
Trying to find the love within.
And peace within my heart. That the anger and low self esteem will fade away with time and help of others.
That I can wipe way the moisture on the mirror and feel good about who I am.
One small step at a time to find the peace within my life.
And conquer the doubt and fear within.

NOTE:
In closing I was amazed that I never turned to drugs or alcohol and that my weaknesses never had the intent to hurt others intentionally.

Paul W Arnold

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Reality of Life

” Reality of Life"
5/2/16

As I have grown older, I have begun to reflect back on my life.
The” Reality of Life" begins to settle in.
And at the same time, there is some uncertainty or second guessing.
Understanding that total contentment is never possible.
Trying not to dwell on negatives and moving forward and staying positive.
Realizing that certain events were beyond my control by external forces.
And accepting the fact that many were of my own.
With mistakes and regrets along the way.
Understanding that my own ignorance can be fatal to one’s destiny in life.
So we move on hoping that our decisions are the right ones in the years to come.
And that we have learn from our mistakes from the past.
We also began to acknowledge that death or ending of our life is more reverent then ever before as we get older.
That once youthful view of immortality is slipping away with each day.
Spending most of our life not wanting to accept that reality of growing old when we were younger.
But life never stands still and neither does time.
Over time I see friends and family members pass on due to aging.
Memories of people places and events began to fade with time.
The aging process replacing our once youthful appearance.
We learn to enjoy our favorite experiences with a sense of urgency.
By waking up earlier with each day.
Understanding that those times ahead are fewer over the coming years.
And one day gone forever.
What seem impossible when we were young , now is reality.
That our time is short and life goes by rapidly.

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Nights With the Stars

I often wonder ?
How many nights have I laid awake looking out at the stars within the solitude of my room and with the sounds of the night.
Deep in reflection, of people, places and events.
Only God and the stars above will ever know the sorrow or Joy that have experience in my life during this time alone.
The stars have dim with my sorrow and sparkled with my joy.
But yet within this period of time, there are events in my life good and bad that will never be know to anyone. 
That are my secrets of the night.
Some are to painful, Like thunder or violent storms within my heart and others like sunny days.
And yet I often wonder why at times certain events large or small, we never forget.
While other events, places or people just fade away before the morning dawn.

My time with the stars are special  for me, a time of reflection.
A period of cleansing the soul.
Finding strength for the up coming day.
And closure for the day's events.
I know when all else fails, that the silence of my heart will be the consciences of my soul. 
During these minutes alone while under the stars.

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Winter Night With My Dog

Winter Night with my Dog.

Nestle in warmth with blankets abound on a late winter night.
With light from the flames of the fireplace flickering across the room.
Here with my dog cuddle by my side.
His eyes are closed with love and trust.
Outside my frosted window the wind blows gently in the cold night air.
The trees are bare and naked.
They stretch up into the dark gray sky, twisted, distorted strip bare of autumn leaves.
Replaced by a thin layer of snow. 
Birds seek shelter as does night’s creatures large and small. 
My focus soon turns to watching tiny snowflakes gently falling though the light that radiates from outside light fixture. 
Then fade into the darkness of night, like ballerinas on stage.
Each snowflake dances and sparkles within a brief period of time.

As the night passes and the minutes seem endless, I began to doze off.
I place my head on my pillow, leaning over and giving my little furry friend a goodnight kiss and a gentle pat.

Shortly I will close my eyes comforted, by the warmth of my blanket and fireplace.
Enjoying these finale minutes of this late winter night.
And yet within the recess of my mind,
I Know that our time in life is short.
As we go through the journey of life. Like the tiny snowflakes that fall though the light this winter night.

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Angel's Die Also

Angels die also!
3/5/2016

Where does one began to find the words to express a unique bond and love that has developed over many years
A bond that is different from love of country, family, music or the many passions of life.
A love of that has helped you overcome depression, loneliness, or when you are sick.
A loyalty and devotion that is given 24/ 7 and from the heart.
It’ called unconditional love and its from my little dog Mr Murphy.
Over 18 years we have been together, exploring life every day.
The walks on the beaches or the trails near our house.
He would always walk ahead of me, or at my side, occasionally looking back or up at me for approval, or reassurance.

Many times traveling in the car “ sucking air together” with his head out the window or sitting in my lap, watching the world around us.
He especially enjoyed chasing a ball, and running up and down hills.
At times he loved doing the “Bichon Blitz when he got excited and made us all laugh.
At night he would sleep on the bed and rest his head on my neck or just by my side.
This was his reward and he felt so safe.
He enjoyed so many experiences with me and being content as my soul mate.
Mr Murphy was a small dog but his spirit and love of life was much greater then his size.
I sensed he understood my loyalty and love to him.
I could never ask more from my little friend.
In returned I was given loyalty and devotion from him, that was our unique bond.
We always were there for each other everyday.
Now that he is older, I know that our time is limited.
I see the changes in him and it breaks my heart.
I wish I had the power to keep him young and healthy.
But of course I do not.
We have grown older together over the years, each in our separate unique ways.
It’s so hard realizing that we will go separate ways one day.
But that bond and love will always be with me.
Especially his spirit that will always be in my heart.
I do hope and pray that when he closes his eyes for the last time, that it's a peaceful death.
Then I will know an Angel has died also.

Note: Mr Murphy was almost 19 years, but died this morning on 09/27/2016

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Season 1st Snow

The cold winds have begun to blow, evidence of winter’s arrival.
The trees are nearly bare of autumn leaves while stretching toward the late fall sky.
Brilliant colors of autumn have begun to fade away to muted colors of winter grays.
As each day passes by, the days begin to get shorter while nights get colder.
Early mornings awaken with a coating of frost across the landscape and a chill in the air.
My excitements builds as each day passes, for the arrival of winter's first snow.
Looking forward to hearing the gentle crackling sounds of the snow falling on crisp fallen autumn leaves.
Sounds that are so unique for this time of year.
The autumn colors within a short period of time will be replace by a white winter mantel of freshly fallen snow.
A sign of seasonal transition from Autumn to Winter.

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Summer Evenings

Summer Evenings
_______________

I always enjoy summer evenings.
When the heat of the day is replaced with late afternoon shore breeze or with a thunder storm that rolls across the evening sky.

Especially when the day light sky transforms from a bright blue to a rainbow of colors with the fading sunlight on the evening horizon.
A time when daily life begins to slow down, and summer evening events take priority.

A period of time away from the stress of the day events.
To grill on the deck or play baseball or work in the yard.
Or to sit out on the deck and observe our surroundings.
Spending time with our family and friends.

Realizing that within a few hours the shadows of night will spread over the landscape.
Along with the unique sounds of the evening.
When crickets began chirping, and nocturnal creatures awaken.
While lighting bugs and dragonflies dance across the yard and among the flower beds.
With a unique show of miniature lights flashing and dancing .
Remembering back as a, adolescent catching them in a jar, just to release them prior to bedtime.
One of many great adventures as a child during summer evenings.
Soon our evening routine will come to a end as the night passes on.
Finding our favorite chair and a cold beverage.
While exhaustion sets in, leading us to falling a sleep.
A wonderful way to end a summer evening.
 O9/12: 15
Paul W Arnold

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Eye's That Never Hello

Eye’s that never say hello

I often wonder why the people we see daily will walk past you and never say hello.
Never making eye contact or words never spoken.
Their eyes look in opposite direction
Not even a casual hello, a glance or nod.
I fear sometimes that my presence might be that insignificant to them.
By doing so many great opportunities are missed.
With the sound of silence.
Not realizing how a simple hello would make a difference to many people.
Conversations missed, smiles  that never existed. 
Walls built within that prevent a gesture of kindness.

02/15/2016  PAUL ARNOLD. CT, USA

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Winter's Last Snowfall

Winters last Snowfall
3/25/2016
The seasons of the year come and go.
Each so unique from the other.
I have always regretted the end of winter along with the seasons last snowfall.
Which brings a feeling of sorrow, with Spring’s arrival.
I observe the sun rise higher over the landscape with each passing day. 
Watching the winter snow melting as the days get longer and warmer.
Causing the snow to melt from the top of the trees to the ground within days and weeks. 
While Patches of snow are desperately hiding in shadows of day light and persisting though another cold spring nights.
Knowing that in a short time the snow will be totally gone.
Along with the excitement of winter.
Leaving only the memories of winter and cold gray sky's with falling snow. 
Remembering cold winter nights  that are aglow by a winter solstice moon shinning on a snow covered landscape. 
The glow from the snow reflecting back toward the winter night sky with stars so bright.
For me it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
While counting the days till winter’s arrival and seasons first snowfall for the coming year.