(x = space)
x
x
circling
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today good people
met
they talked
and prayed
maybe did the praying
first
it’s Sunday
but it could be on a Friday
or a Wednesday
or a Tuesday
you know, any day
I’m sure
in any hour
x
they pray for other people
for the Earth
for peace
for wisdom
for discretion
when it truly is
the better part of valor
x
they won’t quit,
these folk
they’ll meet again
talk and pray
or maybe pray first
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c l couch
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photo by Mel Poole on Unsplash
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(x = space)
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Tell the Beadle
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I had church today with friends
Five hundred miles from here,
And I am thankful
x
I’m not sure what it means or
How it counts, and I guess mostly
I don’t care
x
There was prayer and conversation,
And God was mentioned many
Times and Jesus
x
I think if there were an attendance
Book, our names could be
Fairly entered
x
As it is, computers have recorded
In theirs pathways our participation so
Cybernetic stars
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C L Couch
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Sayq, Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate, Oman
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(x = words)
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Thought-Powered Words
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The results were not good
I don’t mean to diary about it
But another organ is in trouble
I mean, I feel it
I thought it was gas
(hah)
And now I feel slowed-down today
In fact, since the phone call
Yesterday
x
Pray for me, friends,
As I pray for you
Though it’s not a deal—I
Pray for you anyway, and of course
I’m not sure what you do
x
But love has different kinds,
Hasn’t it?
We have ways to regard each other
Respecting who we are
What’s going well,
What’s not
x
I’ll take a good thought anytime
And be thankful
The words without thoughts don’t rise
As Claudius confesses
(Hamlet doesn’t hear)
But your words are thoughtful
They soar
I know,
I read them all the time
Then watch and hear
With the inner parts
Of eye and ear
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C L Couch
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citation
Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 3 (last two lines)
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Photo by Rafik Wahba on Unsplash
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(x = space)
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The Loft
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If quiet into night
I send a word or two words
Or more
Through breath,
Then you might hear me
So that we might turn, at last,
Toward each other
x
I’d say all prayers are done
Except the kind that praise
And ask for nothing else
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C L Couch
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Night View Mountain
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(x = space)
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Compass
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1
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I hope it’s a good day for you
x
You deserve it
And many more good days
x
It’s a harsh world
In many places
Though there is goodness, too
x
I know this;
I hope you know it, too
x
You know, there is this notion
Called democracy, which affirms
The majority
And respects the minority
x
It’s a good idea,
An experiment in many places
In the world
x
Now we know the trouble as
A virtue comes
When the numbers are too equal
And the country is divided
x
I don’t think this happens very often
x
But there is hype
And misuse of media
And people ready
To say this is what you think
And act on that behalf
That is not yours
x
2
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I’ve let the demons in
Too often
x
I think they have a corner
There with maybe a side door
Or at least a tunnel
x
There are angels, too
Ready to speak to me
x
When I have been good,
I have listened
x
Then there are the times
When the demons did not
Have to say anything, for
I was ready for their
Entrance
To take over
All my good intentions
And let ego run instead
Throughout the house
x
And mischief,
Not the good kind,
Call it sin
Shall have its way
x
3
x
God is good
And blesses our food
Though that rhyme is hard
x
It’s important that we ask, for
It is not ours to bless
x
The request might be enough,
God not one, usually, to
Draw up
A piece of paper
For a deal
x
Though there have been precedents:
Moses, for one
And certain prophets’ calls
Toward redemption
x
But we are not they;
We ask for affirmation of small things
In which there is salvation
For a lifestyle,
x
Not because of word and rock
That are delivered from a mountain
Or ravens
Delivering our meals
x
We are who we are, and
We are loved
Even when we’re sure we’re not—
In fact, more so in such times
x
It’s not satisfactory, I know;
And who asked for free will,
Anyway?
But while we have it
And we’ll always have it,
Remember that the soul and heart
And mind
Is where it happens, first
x
Remember, too, to advocate;
Our model is the
Spirit
Who gathers nothing,
Sometimes only promising a wilderness
x
But cares
And loves
As we should care and love
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D. C. al Coda
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Coda
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I hope it is a good day for you;
I’ll pray for this
And, yes, I’ll pray for me as well
x
More so, I’ll talk throughout
The day with God
And into night,
Though I have no skill
Or canny insight
Worked uncannily
x
I am simply me,
You are you,
And God is God
x
Always present,
Not a trick,
Too often beyond—
Specifically for mortals—
Understanding
x
Have a care for mischief,
Though sometimes
Things are funny;
And the only thing to call up
Is some laughter
x
Laugh with God
Who invented humor
And in a healthy way
With each other
x
C L Couch
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Photo by Sunil Ray on Unsplash
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(x = space)
x
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Quicksilver
x
O God, our help
Help me now
There is sunshine
I should like it
And be thankful
I should be thinking forward
You know, make a plan
Take a firm step
In a new direction
While respecting
Where we’ve been
Amen
x
C L Couch
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Photo by Adrien Converse on Unsplash
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(x = space)
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Midnight Sun
x
I can’t help but imagine
A quiet and dark place
x
Maybe a church
Maybe a campsite
Maybe in the desert
Maybe a quiet place at home
x
It is late
There is candlelight
And whoever’s there
And there are people there
Is praying
x
They are praying for the world
As if it were outside
And in greater peril
Than experience has known
In ages
x
Great hunger lurks
And plans
x
But here there is silent love
Propelling urgent works
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Peace
And intercession
Then knowing what to do
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C L Couch
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Photo by Emily Hon on Unsplash
Aurora shine the whole night.
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(x = space)
x
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The Magician’s Children
(Christmas 2020)
x
It’s a magic time
The animals will talk at midnight
x
Light of many colors
Will shine inside and outside
Of hours
And tall buildings in the city
x
People who don’t believe
Will be quiet for a while
Almost in honor of the child
x
Christmas might be
A chore for them,
But they take the quiet anyway,
Until the noises of the morning
In the household begin
x
And there are those who will be quiet
Because they are the only ones,
Each one in a home of sorts
To bring in the day
On one’s own
x
Each one has a job
To send out the peace
Just beyond, until the next one
Take it,
Send it out in thought or feeling
Or a prayer
x
Others will be so busy
But the lonely could do this
x
Create a spirit-band across the world
Through many places,
Many nations,
Many destinations
That can’t be reached yet
x
Someday, perhaps
When we have enough health,
Enough determination,
Enough interest in the risk
x
Merry Christmas to each one
And from each to everyone
Live in peace for a day
And remember that a day
Can be an age
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C L Couch
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Photo by Daniil Silantev on Unsplash
Ozero Turgoyak, Челябинская область, Россия
Ice on the Lake Turgoyak
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(x = space)
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For Those of Us Not Good at Praying
x
Good God,
Please grant us
Clemency,
A fancy word
In church or court
For mercy
But don’t be fancy with us,
We need help, that’s all
x
Simply and, well,
In miracles
There are hungry people
Many sick with disease
There is disease of mind
As well
And those who want
Their way and want
The rest of us as well
And there is evil in that,
The kind you say
In your book
Is under the sun,
Meaning every day
And most likely every hour
x
So we must pray for food
(safe water)
And for freedom
A cure when your nature
Hurts us, a cure when
Others try to bring us down
In the other way
x
We might be
At traffic lights, just now
Sitting in back seats of cars
With ear-pods in
Our ears
Or other things
Distracting
Sorry, we get around to this
Too late at times
Well, most of the time
(most of us)
We are not saints
Whoever they might be
We are only
People in need
Amen,
We should say amen
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C L Couch
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Photo by Kristy Kravchenko on Unsplash
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