3 poems for new seasons, Christmastime and others


stopping by Frost

gray day
black branches
cold outside
in mid-afternoon
it’s already getting dark
meaning that
November plays it part
in the drama of the seasons
in these parts

what is it
of the woods
they’re
lovely
dark
and
deep
wonderful for liturgy
in recitation
as a legacy

we quote famous things
once more with greater feeling
now and then

look for inspiration
anywhere
and sometimes recall
to look
you know
inside ourselves

remembering that
we are
lovely
dark
and
deep as well


there is no peace on Earth unless

so here we go
it’s Christmastime
a holy season
some
might recall
that has become a cosmic
thing
on planet Earth

and I’m not sure
how much we should mind
since
maybe the Christmas values get through
anyway

something about the cheer in giving
as well as
the fun in receiving

remember that Peace on Earth
is a staple
quotation of the season
that could always turn into
rhetoric
and discourse
meaning we may talk about it
as a worldly thing
through and beyond
any one
sect or group

so we could take our chances
to be people of the season
wherever
whomever on Earth
we might be
believing
peace ultimately
to be
a practical consideration
in addition to
philosophy
and foundational pin
of faith
human faith
allied with God
and yet on our own
to own

Peace on Earth
why don’t’ we
and
we just might


an un-pretty plan
(poet’s agenda)

let the pretty verse be offered by
someone else

here there is a need
to be plain

keep Earth or don’t
have Earth or not

make up our minds
God is waiting

not saving us in this
‘til it’s too late for us

to move in with judgment
when we could have lived without

paradise imposed
but at our pleasure

being our design
and plan


c l couch


The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   
But I have promises to keep,   
And miles to go before I sleep,   
And miles to go before I sleep.

(from) “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost


photo by Dmytro Vynohradov on Unsplash