3 poems from books of hours



sorry bugs

bugs
I grieve when they’re not
where
they should be
say
in the ground
away in the water somewhere

flying
plant
to
plant and seeking shelter where it’s best
they hive

I mean bugs general
any kind
though my local infestation
around
the sink this morning was
small ants so small they might be something
else

and bugs
like reptiles
sometimes birds
have a surprise upon appearing
as
they do
most often without preamble
announcement of any kind
except
to know just after
they arrive

and
yes
the building’s old I rent part of and hardly
looked after
pristine

and the weather has collapsed upon itself from
cold to hot to cool to
I’m not sure what it is
right
now
for having campaigned ‘round the plumbling
over counterwork

sigh
what is that inutile line
why can’t we all get along

well
sometimes
in plague or in invasion
we can’t
do so much either side but endure

sigh



rites of spring

one things about spring
it seems
is many cultures have their special days
maybe not
or
perceived now
because to the north
at least
it seems that with the tilting of the Earth
the other way
with
warmer comes outside life for
those hibernated if in suburban ways
since
when
maybe October or November

as if there were a frame
beginning
lunar years
and
going through midsummer
when the festivals are prominent
Buddhist
Hindu
Jewish
Muslim
Christian
and those are the few I know something of
if not so much beyond
acquaintance

you may name your
own
to share
though this world is more knowing
universally
well
globally

we may take part
in action and respect
as
the observing part of loving
our neighbors
as I believe
all of our codes
apply

and
of course
there are three seasons’ worth to celebrate
in all our special
ways

and
yes
to the south
they have so much to teach by transmission as
we
have need to learn
to enjoy the spiritual rites and
faires along

and
yes
I leave out so many things in
presenting what’s forefront of and
between
such special times



Theodore Edward

and a final thought
to have
though you might have been wishing
I were done
before
but I’m wondering why
we
make cute stories and cute
toys
out of things we have to exploit
or even fear from time
to time
and
I guess it’s human
as is assigned
in
class
to anthropomorphize

to make human out of unhuman fauna
flora
entities and substances here
to wherever

and
who wouldn’t want the option of a teddy bear
except those
maybe
who live near fear of bears
all the time
and
maybe even then

the sun
snowflakes
flowers
mammals
reptiles
from all the batches of things or things
that
seem to go alone

and maybe we fear less with toys
and so
act more knowing when
it’s time

I don’t know

and what for an alternative
geometric
maybe
as in
don’t forget to bring your stuffed cube along
       or
       rhomboid
       or hexagon



c l couch



photo by michael podger on Unsplash