keep looking up
though for safety-sake look down and out as well
it’s a cold cloudy day
whose clarity
is in
for me
my fondness of such days
the sun came out
so we had
that
and will return and I would miss
it
after a while
after
how many days
don’t want things clammy
and
humidity is risky
for inhalers
though
when there’s wind
we
get some help in breathing in
if only of adventure in
the sky
call Pegasus
or build a steampunk thing
for us
and our group
or let strangers be uncalled yet
flung together and
we journey to
wherever
and everything unfolds because no expectations
are
allowed
c l couch
(the title’s not so original, but I used to hear it as the last words called out by Jack Horkheimer who hosted what for me was a late-evening show on PBS)
photo by Museums Victoria on Unsplash
(x = space)
x
x
The Tower Treasure
x
I live on the second floor,
No great height
Up from me is Tower Hill,
A name from history
Since there is no tower
That I know of
x
Wouldn’t it be romantic,
An adventure?
And for the Hardy Boys
And Nancy Drew,
Cherry Ames
And the Bobbsey Twins
(maybe somewhat
grown up
maybe)
Robbers hiding out
In said high place
With those who always
Want to find the ancient
Loot breaking in
From time to time
x
So that now everyone
Wants jewels of differing
Centuries
And there are flashlights
There are yet-to-be passages
To find;
There are guns
Because good stories
Mention risks
There are old stairs
And so much dust
And colonies of cobwebs
x
And in the nearly final act,
There is confrontation
Of all parties
With nearly everything
Discovered
Until the final trick
The heroes get to throw,
Distraction that gives
Time enough
For law enforcement
x
Then all friends
Meet in peace
Have snacks
At the place in town
Where all the young ones
Meet
To read the story
Above the fold and farther in
x
And we close the covers
(books and beds),
Pining for our treasures
x
Never
The end
x
C L Couch
x
x
If you would like to read about a treasure in one’s own town (a novel, I’m afraid), there is for children (of all ages) The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn by John Bellairs. And many more such stories, I’m sure. Or you could write such a tale.
x
x
(x = space)
x
x
An Excuse Not to Ask Directions
(you know electrics fail from time to time)
x
Back roads are best
They still need
Paving
Until I get
My Jeep or an ATV
x
State routes are
Good
Try Route 8 in
Western Pennsylvania or
Route 22, across
x
Or any road
Inviting small adventure
Maybe there are
Trees
Or a turn,
The end of which
We cannot espy
x
C L Couch
x
x
Photo by Adam Thomas on Unsplash
x
(x = space)
x
x
Pirated Life
x
Several hours later,
I meet with my band
In the woods
We go to the cave
That is our hideout
And headquarters
Time (past time)
For another adventure
x
You check out the dragon
Take dimensions
Find out if he must be foe
Or would it come on
As an ally
x
You and you
Find out who has jewels
In town
And if the jewels are fair
And are the owners fair
There’s precedence
To take them,
Re-reward them to
Those who have the need
x
I’ll spy out the rest
All the possibilities
Then draw out
A fine, nefarious campaign
Out best yet and
More profitable
Than the Hood or Ali Baba
Edward Teach,
Anne Bonny,
All the rest in the unformed
Guild of thieves
x
C L Couch
x
x
Photo by Bas Glaap on Unsplash
x
g is for gallop
(verse at work)
galloping
I remember not directly the old radio show featuring the masked man Lone Ranger whose mask was made from the clothing of his dead brother a Texas Ranger ambushed in a gully by a criminal gang led by Butch Cavendish I think the companion for the Lone Ranger was Tonto an American Indian with many skills though doubtlessly not treated with the respect he was due I’m not sure who played the Ranger and Tonto on radio but certainly on television still before my time it was Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels respectively and isn’t that a great name for the Native American companion well Clayton Moore tended to live the part which wasn’t all that bad because in public he reinforced a message to children that justice was good and fair a win even if the winning went hard there was more silver than simply in the name of the actor for the Ranger shot silver bullets from two guns he had wrapped around his waist silver bullets shooting straighter and true so went the lore I think and his horse was named Silver too which led to the famous expression “Hi-ho, Silver!” that the Lone Ranger called usually while his horse reared on its two hind legs and that cry was followed by “Away!” and I swear in reruns and rebroadcasts I think it was maybe Tonto who shouted “Away!” though I suppose I’m only romanticizing to give him more stature when saluting their own show and Tonto’s horse was named Scout but after all the calling set in the saddles of their chargers you know what they did they galloped away from the warm radio brocade panel or the cathode-ray lit television screen and where did they gallop but into their next adventure and should not we do the same
clcouch123 
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