no cavalry
(or if there is)
goes
something like to
paraphrase
the KJV
I lift up my eyes to the hills
from
whence comes my help
my help comes from
the Lord
now
it might be
a question mark
is called
for
after help
because
the hills are not the source
but the Lord who saves
and
keeps
not that
hills
are unhelpful
both to distract and thus allow
reminding of direction
so
to pray
even wish
of
desperation
if
better
that is more faithful
perhaps prophetic
in the way
that
youth may envision
while
the old
dream dreams
any setting
then
(or
whence)
for who shall aid us
but
God who has the power and love
to make it
c l couch
Psalm 121
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
(KJV)
photo by José Casal on Unsplash
(x = space)
x
x
Hills
x
The hills roll on
Our wheels
Over them
While in the wagons ride
Our beating hearts
And hopeful
Heads
For visioning
x
It is a caravan
Perhaps
While we stop
Now and then
For swapping stories
How it’s going
Checking
Wheels and harnesses
How are our victuals
Holding out
Against a destination
Once the hills
Should cease
And we are on the plain
Then stopping
Standing
By a sea of judgment
And also
All our joy
x
C L Couch
x
x
Photo by Randy Fath on Unsplash
“Joe on the way home…”
x
This Is Not a Test
(Psalm 121:1-2)
It isn’t that the help
Comes from the hills
But that it comes
From God
It might come from the
Hills, or it might come
From the valley
Or the desert or the
Outskirts of the city or
Fallow farmland
It might come from Rahab
Or from Zipporah
Or from Ruth
It might come from
All expected places
Or from surprises,
Say,
Balaam’s donkey
Don’t box in the help
From God
There’s no container,
Anyway
Let it flow like Micah
And all salient prophecy
Trust, now that’s the
Hard part
When there is no formula
Beyond a prayer
Or looking up in hope
C L Couch
Photo by David Monje on Unsplash
On the Agenda
When all is gray
Not boring but not
Inspiring
Where do we go
A psalmist looks to the hills
The hills are not the source of strength
Though they look strong
Gratitude has no tone and is
Every shade
The day could be on fire, after all
The psalmist knows
But relief might come
Over the horizon
Or through cables, now
And satellites bouncing rays
Invisibly
To send the word, machine commands
Binary data for agenda-forming
Open or in hiding makes the difference
That’s a problem with gray
It’s hard to see,
Texture’s a challenge
Direction is unclear
But it could be a vacuum
Not only vacant but absconding
With material and hope
Help out with everything that’s left
Someone else’s day
Might be on fire
C L Couch
Photo by Greg Shield on Unsplash
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