praying about creations
God
are you out there
are you
in here
there is matter
there are spirits
there
is energy
and how many planes
through which
to live
we have this
self
we look through skin
with eyes and more than eyes
and less
we are alive
Earth is
alive
with even rock that moves
though let science determine
investiture
by measurement
and let us live
with
what we have
the wonders of exchange
cohabitation
of
matter and movement
oxygen
and carbon
a touch of supernal creation
to begin
and to carry into what is next
mystery
miracle
energy and matter
in
the exchange we know
and then a language with translation
only yours to speak
to generate
to sing into existence
afterward
maybe
first
a paradise to bear of explanation
and if you say
amen
c l couch
photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
eternal delight
(Blake says this of energy)
we wake up
do things
something propels us
if only energy
it seems
though there is cause
as well
we believe if rather subconsciously
in something
in
sensation or
satiation
with or without
then
ideology
we might be moved
by more
by something seen or heard
by
interpretation of a fact
to make a fact
somehow believe
that
this is true
and reason enough to go on
and if not the reason then
the rest
might be in peril
so maybe we need more
and
something lasting
or at least holding on to chores
and to
the rest
if starting with the smallest thing
the chore
(the
regular work)
or
simply to breathe first
a reason
before purpose
and a plan
let that go deep as well as
ready on the surface
so that
we move by not saying
or
by saying
faith
in
something
to have us in the night
and keep us
in the day
(reversing that
for
third shift)
could be God
could be someone
something else
though
should be easy strong enough
to last
not in perfection
‘cause basically that’s not
us
but fixable
as we are fixable
and
we are
tissue that doesn’t tear
like the Roswell
paper
the bulwark that Luther likes
cannot be overthrown
though
by the way
and by
the book
the gates of hell cannot themselves
prevail
against faith and collective faith
the rock it’s
said
of God
by all means
prompted by energy
and
so to have it
rest
and work
and play
also let grace and faith propel
our part
belief in something
by
the way we’re made
and so could take on
the maker
c l couch
Matthew 16:18
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell by William Blake
photo by Eugene Golovesov on Unsplash
a study in ambition
(working on it)
a study
in ambition
because I think it is
a one-by-one thing
and not a group
thing
except by change
now and then
the space race
a national ambition
and was it
I was a child
I don’t recall contributing
except with attitude
and I was
child
someone spent a bunch of money
making things
sacrificing
lives
so we could
go to the moon
and I was there
before the television
for the launch
then on the day
to see
the landing
then the steps
and would say
that was great
and was it
even then
as
I wondered
about people starving
wherever
trick-or-treating
for UNICEF
and all
the smaller things
good for the economy
the space race
microwaves
ballpoint pens
tin foil
(well
aluminum)
okay
and now it’s easier to see
that vanity
is pushing us
back to the moon
and higher
on to Mars
wanting
to respect that
and then wondering
again
about the starving people
and maybe we won’t have
any safe water
or a safe Earth
with no space on the moon
or Mars
for all of us
I do think
Pangloss is wrong
and that it’s good when we
consider things
together
but the dreams must be owned
and we must have them
one by one
and study us
each one
learning
growing
getting
each thing owned
by one
and then we can think about
negotiation
and a kind
of communion
maybe
if we
simply had a planet
whole
each one satisfied
to live
and to consider
as it is
we will go
we will do anything
beyond the one
for money
for politics to win
for
another one
claiming to be a party
let alone a nation
or a national
ambition
ambition is good
not the way
that fictively we say
that greed
is good
because it’s not
but in the way
that use of us
by one
by one
and then we’ll see
is good
that energy is good
and its
expenditure
even a joy
sometimes
that use is good
and better when
compelled by good
dreams
virtues
and such
but that what is Earth
is finite
and each one
in our systems
and so there’s saving
even caution
to employ
so feed us
end our thirst
let each one work
and also
dream
envision something real
for a dream
c l couch
energy is eternal delight (William Blake)
who also wrote of embracing contradictions
photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
What Do Angels Eat
I suppose
The first and best guess
Is nothing
They are heavenly
They seem to work
Unflagging
What need have they for
Food
What then
If a need
And for an energy source
For we may say they are
Relentless
Yet wonder if
Their energy is
Eternal
They are divine
(before some choose
another way)
Though they are not divinity
And so might
To fancy
Or daresay
Need fuel
I wonder if
They might draw energy
From sources in the
Cosmos
That they both know
And
Throughout
Time
And without
Time traverse
Say
With delight
They might soar through
The atmosphere
Of Venue
Fill their wings
Like sails
With wind
From gaseous origins
They might digest
Of
Slingshot movements
‘Round the sun
Or borrow from the
Energy
From orbits of the
Many moons
Of Saturn
Or of Jupiter
Borrowing
From Phobos
Deimos
Or the satellites
Of outer Neptune
Or
Dwarf planets
They might know the molecules
That fill what we consider
Empty space
They might eat dark matter
Or visit to the other ends
Of black holes
And so feast
From what is there
And so
Inside the center
Of each galaxy
So be replenished
From so many places
Or maybe a dimension’s slide
Into another
Provides nourishment of
Meals
So-called
Out of the multiverse
They eat
Without the worry
Of measure
Until our measures become
Or of other worlds become
Adept
To catch them
At their food
And so have proof
Though faith
(foolish
you might say)
Has long
And even
Now
Requires none
C L Couch
n. b.
Maybe they are feeding
From the leaves
In trees
(who says what size)
That fall through fall
Or reach up from the ground
In spring as
Seedings
Other plants
Flowers
And with an irony
What we need
And take
As crops
For food
(CLC)
Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash
"Energy," by the way claims William Blake, "is eternal delight."
(x = space)
x
x
Momentum
(for friends)
x
You know,
I write several things
A day
And then choose
One of them
Some days I only write
One thing
And I use that
I tell myself that if there’s
Nothing, then I won’t
Have anything
To share
And that has to be
All right
Occasionally, that happens
Not so often
If I have access to my
Small machines
Among them the device
Inside
x
I say this because
This is where I am today
Not quite Pooh Corner
I admit
I cannot do everything
I want and like the apostle
Sometimes I do
The thing I hate
Though I think it’s more
That I don’t do
The thing I want
Even love
To do
x
I could ask
Where is the energy
Of youth, that
Sweet bird,
Though I think we know
That energy is finite
Like the push-pull
Universe
And that we always tire
So we
Run the race we can
Then rest
x
I know
You’re at the
Starting line
With me each day
I want to be with you
We go
And if we’re smart
We’ll rest
When there’s been enough
Join me today
Won’t you
In the race
That for us
Is cosmic laced,
Spiced, intertwined
With spirit
(or have spirit
laced with cosmic
thinking the spirit understands
either way)
The cosmic race
The spirit race
The human race
x
C L Couch
x
x
Isaac Newton Telescope on La Palma in the evening light
Photo by Frantisek Duris on Unsplash
x
Romans 7:14-15
(Hebrews 12:1 et al)
x
(x = space)
x
x
Missioning
(for Mandy Shunnarah)
x
It’s Wednesday
And a hump day
Too many cases breaking out
Al-Qaeda talking up Afghanistan
Fires in California
New Apple phones
Unveiled there
I need shoes
More importantly a place to live
Local friends are helping
And good thoughts
Come from everywhere
Faroff family stands by
I’m eaten up with nerves
They eat me
Consume the calm
Like the noise above
That means I’m leaving
After many years
Too many jobs
That took up all
My energy allotment
Concentration
And my attempts to rest
And now
Semi-retired
Accosted with all that
x
My heart needs fixing up
x
This should not
Be all for me
Too many people
Have revocable need
I pray
Others help
With worldly substance
So much more than I have
But this should not be for me
In what I cannot do
It’s to put out fires
Help first-responders
Let go those
Who have no perspective
Build up health
Yes
It’s true
And I must ask
For all of us
x
C L Couch
x
x
Mandy Shunnarah has been writing about skateboarding and skateboarding—forthcoming book, Midwest Shreds: Skaters and Skateparks of Middle America from Belt Publishing (fall 2022). Hers is a positive, inclusive, encouraging voice.
https://www.offthebeatenshelf.com/blog
x
Skateboard on Dry Lakebed
Photo by Kelsey Dody on Unsplash
x
(x = space)
x
x
Why Sometimes There’s a ? Mark
x
The ending of a movie
Doesn’t say
“The End” so
Much, which
Might be just as well
x
Stories go on:
An event has an ending
However it might
Dwindle
Toward an emptiness of
Time and company
While the next thing is in
Motion
x
Motion, motion—
Investment of potential,
Expenditure
Of energy,
Profit of contribution toward the
Turning of the Earth
And shall we say it,
Joy
x
Yes, using
The “eternal delight”
Of Blake
Amid the envying of
All unmoving things that want
To be introduced
Into the
Calling rushing of the universe
And so it seems
Never the end
x
C L Couch
x
x
On Set
Photo by Avel Chuklanov on Unsplash
x
(x = space)
x
x
Really
x
My wish for you
Is that you know some peace today
Even if you think
You don’t want it
Yes
I’m praying for something
You don’t want because you’d rather enjoy
Vengeance
The passion that comes
In blaming someone else
For all misfortunes
x
My sibling friends
Enjoy some peace
Not that I give it though I’m asking
x
You might think it’s stupid
Weak and empty
Like a promise that we
Conveniently forget
But if Blake is correct that
Energy is delight
Then
I’m going to add a step to the syllogism
And argue A equals B equals C
(equals A)
That peace is energy
Leading the better way
To the rest
Of meaningful
Always in motion
Life
With all existence
x
Peace is energy is delight
Thank you
Mister Blake
Thank you
Power in prayer
Even when
Upstart offered
x
C L Couch
x
x
In The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, William Blake writes “Energy is eternal delight.”
x
Tivoli Gardens, København, Denmark
x
Manatee
All its age enfleshed
In deep-lined wisdom
Swims only enough
A round eye of black
Takes in everything
Takes you, takes me
Through a green liquid
Medium into inner
Space
Where energy abounds
And what the elder
Dreams
Flashes to merge with
Synaptic feelings
Action transduced into
Creation’s lightning
Welled in obsidian
Eye of the prototype
Mer-person for
A new world
clcouch123 
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