god of what’s next

there is a
temple
toward which
all temples point
all
temples belong

there is a myth
toward which
all myths
belong
and have a share
in truth

there is a story
of all earth
we do not know
because the earth is wide
and old
and layered
with one chapter
on which
another pressed

open
the lore of earth
to find that
we’re all there

heroes
and villains
as we choose
or were conditioned
or those
who load the guns
or apply the salves and bandages
after

who plant
who dance
who seek approval
for good food
in a harvest
and safe water
for
the seeds
of plants
and also of the children
all of earth

someday
perhaps
to be children of mars
or proxima
where our myths
will go with us
and be transformed
toward
the temple
and the truth
we’ll need to take with us
as us

sorry
no need to reinvent the lord
more than we have
though we might find
a thoroughness of mind
and heart
to keep
a civil altar
and a loving congregation
of humanity
with whom we meet
we hope
to accept us
and new names
for one
in the lord

it gets
confusing
and confused
we guess
but we will have to learn the points
of truth
with light
the meaning
and the words
before
all of us
may and
shall
sing together

c l couch


photo by Mitch Gaiser on Unsplash