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Home Poetry Beauty

‘The People That Walked in Darkness’ by Paul Erlandson

December 22, 2021
in Beauty, Culture, Poetry
A A
17
poems 'The People That Walked in Darkness' by Paul Erlandson

.

The People That Walked in Darkness

The Christmas lights are out tonight,
__Early and fierce and brave.
The lawns of all suburbia,
__A parti-colored nave.

Their swollen ranks caused me to think
__How changed the world should be
If they could crowd the ballot-box
__And vote rather than we!

We might have godly governors:
__Seated and clothed and sane;
And Herod cast from Washington,
__And Christendom again.

.

.

Paul Erlandson resides in Royal Oak Michigan, and has recently retired from an automotive engineering career with Ford Motor Company.  He has had poetry published in “Dome” (a publication of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London) and “The Slumbering Host”, a volume of poetry collected by Clinton Collister and Daniel Rattelle.

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Comments 17

  1. Margaret Coats says:
    5 years ago

    “A parti-colored nave” is delightful. If the swollen ranks of Christmas light bulbs were actual graces to which we actually correspond, your prophecy could be true. Keep shining, Paul!

    Reply
    • Paul Erlandson says:
      5 years ago

      Thank you, Margaret!!

      Reply
  2. Tamara Beryl Latham says:
    5 years ago

    What a beautifully penned rhyming poem that rings so true, regarding the politics of today. Your words cast light on the darkness surrounding us. Oh, when will it end? 🙂

    Reply
    • Paul Erlandson says:
      5 years ago

      Thank you very much, Tamara!

      Reply
  3. Sally Cook says:
    5 years ago

    Paul
    Simple and clear, a lovel thought !
    I agree with Margaret.

    Hope lots of readers stop by.

    Reply
    • Paul Erlandson says:
      5 years ago

      Thank you, Sally. I do try to be simple and clear. I appreciate your comment!

      Reply
  4. Tlhopho says:
    5 years ago

    Nice one Paul

    Reply
    • Paul Erlandson says:
      5 years ago

      Thanks!

      Reply
  5. Jeff Eardley says:
    5 years ago

    A lovely Christmas thought to ponder. Thank you Paul and hope you have a good one.

    Reply
    • Paul Erlandson says:
      5 years ago

      Same to you, Jeff!

      Reply
  6. Peter Hartley says:
    5 years ago

    Paul – a wonderful thought, pithy, terse and very well written. If only…

    Reply
    • Paul Erlandson says:
      5 years ago

      Thanks, very much, Peter!

      Reply
  7. C.B. Anderson says:
    5 years ago

    I don’t do this kind of thing anymore, but I’m not unhappy that others still choose to carry on with gratuitous ornamentation.

    Reply
    • Paul Erlandson says:
      5 years ago

      Thanks, C. B. — That’s how I feel, also. I’m very happy to gaze on the ornamentation of my neighbor’s houses.

      Reply
      • C.B. Anderson says:
        5 years ago

        Exactimundo. That’s how I feel about dogs. I like dogs, but I am quite happy to like my neighbors’ dogs and not have to keep one myself.

        Reply
  8. Susan Jarvis Bryant says:
    5 years ago

    Paul, I love this bright idea and think you’re onto something here… as long as the dead and dud ones can vote too. You’ve lit up my Chrimbo with this brilliant flash of poetic inspiration… great stuff!

    Reply
    • Paul Erlandson says:
      5 years ago

      Thank you so much, Susan!

      Reply

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  1. Joseph S. Salemi on ‘The Council of Infinite Opinions’: A Poem by David LeeJune 30, 2026

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