golden ruling

must one believe
in order to appreciate
even
to have
a sabbath

there have been laws to secure
weekends
and public mores
if eroded with
work
the busyness of virtue
and so we always have to prove we’re
at it
or are breathing only
for a moment

laws about that
too

the fullness of life
it seems
or as defined by someone we don’t know
must have hard edges
justified for
pay
and even neighborly acceptance

be seen to cut the grass or
not
to stay out late
too late
whenever that should mean

though we have work
and work is
paramount

live to work
the verse that we know
too
and yet eschew if with some longing

work to live

it’s a puzzle and a challenge and an expenditure
and could we really see and have
the thirds
of work
of sleep
of life that is neither work nor sleeping
	that we get
	to define
	and maybe have some say
	in all the rest

or is it safe to question and prioritize
shall we keep our jobs

I hope so
as in
twenty-four we get with
maybe threescore and ten and we think
it should be
longer

and it should

and so let life be good with all
the parts
with liking throughout
not
without challenges

and if
really possible
meaning worked out and on
we could let love
course through all
like
	if you’ve seen
gold currents in
kintsugi

c l couch


photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash