goodniks

have we thought
of anything today that’s good
not
masked
rationalized
gold-plated but
good

the way we say of God via Aslan
not safe but
good

something good that might have to take a chance
even to risk rank in
the world
if not fragile
then
though who knows whom we care for
and
what might be the issues there
       the person
       the relationship

and
do we wish goodness in the world
and might we commit ourselves to the smallest
things
to do
to promulgate

in spite of rudeness
greed
whatever someone else might want
and should not want and someday
when the world is sound
with
provision to keep all alive and
on the way
could not want
anyway

someday it will be that way
while the good we do
ain’t there
and so takes chances
against
the bloating thing that wants it all
while the rest of us are
grist
or paper targets

so
how about that goodness
might we
speak polite
might we give way to someone else
through
the door or to the chair

by what
is
strong and what is
weak
how might we begin
or for some of us to carry on
the giving that is
small
then large
then changes everything

but
good
today enough
for
you and me
today

c l couch


“Who is Aslan?” asked Susan.
“Aslan?” said Mr. Beaver, “Why don’t you know? He’s the King. . . . It is he, not you, that will save Mr. Tumnus. . . .”
“Is—is he a man?” asked Lucy.
“Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. “Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion—the Lion, the great Lion.”
“Ooh!” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver, “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”
“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
“I’m longing to see him,” said Peter, “even if I do feel frightened when it comes to the point.”

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis


photo by Rob Potter on Unsplash