a poem for a prayer, a poem of a real story with (by me) a made-up lyric
first light
God
I ask again
for steps out of the pit
for evil to be vanquished
(the
antique word)
if only enough for
daylight enough when a
last step is taken
and
even gray daylight
for a shadowed kind of existence
might
be reached
good
enough
evil down enough
to raise me up
with all good comrades
here
(good perhaps another antique
word)
enough
if once street-level
we might
if
we may
talk with you some
more
the time when Seamus Heaney had to write something
(based on a story he told us)
she said
on arriving at the party
to find that
everyone had brought a gift
to the poet
well
go upstairs and write something
and then
I suppose he read
to us
what we had written
for the family
and in particular the baby
as in
you are born
and now you are named
you have been christened and so
liturgically
official
and we glad to know
what
to call you
for first your parents have decided
though
the law of nicknames might
apply
welcome
baby
from the mind of God
into the world
earthly and when things are allied
celestial
(Heaney visited the school, not yet a Nobel laureate)
c l couch
photo by Tony Litvyak on Unsplash
Nicholas Arvid Danielson-Buzoianu
the baby born
healthy
mom
too
and dad is coping
as are all as the little world
is now so
much bigger
huge
in fact
while all are here now and
and all preparing
the cats are learning
(or will
be soon)
that the new furniture
and
other changes
aren’t for them
and shall with all
adjust
but goodness how
everything is
new
just
now and aren’t we glad
to guess
by events that
love might be
what
turns the world
to good
and gold
and everything that’s precious
nearly
maybe as
this newborn child
c l couch
photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
(x = space)
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Kieran Levi
(petition)
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He has been wonderfully named
Kieran for his Irish father
Levi for his Jewish mother
But he has gotten sick
With a respiratory disease we are told
Is severe and contagious
Over the weekend, his temperature dropped
From 102 to 99,
Which is something
My brother, his grandfather
Sent us a message with a photograph of
An infant surrounded by machines
If you have a moment and don’t mind,
Please pray for Kieran Levi
Birth might be traumatic
And three months is just a start
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C L Couch
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Photo by Yoksel 🌿 Zok on Unsplash
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