Poetry

Than Any Dreams

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Today I recalled a song that I loved as a teen-ager by Joni Mitchell called, “Both Sides” There was something hauntingly beautiful about her lyrics (and her voice!) singing about the other side of clouds and dreams. But at the time that was another side that was unknown to me. I was so sure of right and wrong and completely rejected any kind of made up religion. Then life happened and my concepts, my hopes and my own dreams broke down, and got mired in a mud pit. That is where Jesus found me and I am so glad He did. This simple contemplative glance back shares a little of my journey and I pray it may be a blessing to you as well. 

Than Any Dreams Could Be

The future was so far away
And I had dreams and hopes so true
I hadn’t time for growing old
There was so much to do

Till aches and pains became my friends
That stumbled on my way
And loss and grief showed up to greet
My heart from day to day

Then weaknesses and failures came
To teach Christ’s way for me
And show His cross was precious more
Than any dreams could be!

Than Any Dreams Could Be -by Peter Caligiuri
copyright 2021 All Rights reserved

It occurred to me today that some of my younger generation readers have no idea of who Joni Mitchell is (I get it..my Mom liked The Tommy Dorsey Band but I never heard of him from anyone else!) So here is a link to her live performance of that song, though the audio recording is poor, it actually shows Joni in concert.

Poetry in Motion

/ pastorpete51 / 8 Comments

I have been at work on my Winter/ Spring now turned Summer writing project of a book of children’s poetry. Beyond the writing part I am not too sure of what I am doing but have been blessed to have several friends jump on board to help with everything from illustrations to some graphic design advice. Hopefully “All Creatures Mostly Small” will be out by early July. If like me you feel bogged down by a writing goal, don’t give up, resort to imitation of others or settle for less than your very best. The toughest part of course is that often our very best gets knocked down, ignored or rejected along the way. But if we are called to write, then doing our best in the way we are gifted is pleasing to the author and editor of our faith. I am not sure why God has given me a fascination for tiny things. No matter where I turn it seems He is talking to me through the smallest members of His creation and so I give you my smallest for HIs highest. If you would like a sneak peak here is a little sample from the introduction. I hope it brightens your weekend. Blessings to you all. 

Hummingbirds and Eagles


Of hummingbirds and eagles
And ears and eyes and nose
Of Ibises and flower seeds
And how God’s garden grows
These pages are all filled for you
With creatures mostly small
That God made God’s to show to us
His amazing loving plan!


Hummingbirds and Eagles by Peter Caligiuri copyright 2021 all rights reserved.

Rainy Days

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

Did you ever have one of those days of constant rain? We get them a lot in Florida, in fact they call it, “Rainy season!” On those long wet and dreary days, I often have wondered where the birds go and what they could be doing while thunder rumbles and lightening is crashing down. I hope you enjoy my little answer in verse to that question. Have a blessed day everyone, even if it is raining again!

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. 
Psalm 57:1 ESV


Some days the hawk sits silently
While the thunder crashes round
And the sparrows flit into the barn
Where the chickens huddle down

The cranes stand in the rushes
In her house the blue bird sleeps
While the chickadees are twittering
In the thickets dark and deep

But eagle flies up to her nest
When she hears her children cry
And shelters them with wings so strong
While the rain is passing by

Can you and I do less than birds
Who know the place to hide
And fly to God our refuge strong
To rest safely by His side

Rainy Days by Peter Caligiuri © 2021 All rights reserved
Photo by Jou00e3o Cabral on Pexels.com