four more-or-less October poems (three poems narrative while one verse plaintive)


who takes the autumn time

fall
and I’m not ready
too cold too
fast
so
where were the colors
coming over weeks
as hot moved to cool
then to cold only at night
for
a while
yet
look at me
hear me
complaining
while
it was in the eighties well into
October with random
reason
or Earth turning
for all the heat returning
but frankly
the trees look like veterans
of the wasted early
season
green leaves with withered edges
an attempt at red now brown
meaning
late fall by climate change
and should we peak in wizened fall
from trees worn out by
normal waiting
for
the riotous return
and
it isn’t look
of course
alone
but touch the cooler wind
to smell the gradual passing
to
think on the mortality
but now breaking cycles
of the planetary model rest
to sleep under
into blade risings
with
spring
then who took the time of fall
MidAtlantic
everywhere and that would mean
south
what should be the verdant
growing time


ambassadorial

the orange cat
who
came to say hello then
walk right
in

to look for corners good for
rubbing faces
with new levels
chair
and stool
and bed
on which to leap
as if after
to plant a catly explorer’s
flag

to chirp and then
to cry a
little
signaling the visit done
and for us to go upstairs

to find
the unlocked door through
which
this pumpkin neighbor
had escaped and has come down
to call

a sibling face behind the door
of timider variety

now
waiting for the rascal-story


men’s Bible study

thought
I’d give a try

there were three plus
the proviso that
where
two or more are gathered

one
man I knew
the other not so much
but
we went on together through
the video
and readings
with
discussions on the way

and then
requests for prayer

and I asked for
my niece
and abashedly then
for
myself

and
by the way
we had gelato at the start
while
I heard tales of Italy
from two so much more traveled
than myself
so
I could learn
because they’re nothing like
well
like being there



to insurance companies

thanks
to your insurance
I’m suffering
treatments have been identified
by experts
you won’t let me have
the help

I know I’m just one person
whose numbers move through your
machine
so easy to ignore
while you gear your promotions
through yourselves

over my health

but
goodness
I wish I could feel better
from the summer’s infections
it being fall
now

and
you know
I could feel improved
but
you won’t let me


c l couch


photo by Mauro Lima on Unsplash