retirement


the question of this evening
(responding to “Now the Day Is Over”)

evening draws nigh
the old song
imposes
for the song becomes
well
rather maudlin
melancholy
minimally

there is a prayer
and that’s fine
for Jesus to keep us through
the night
but
some will ignore
all this prayer
to fire up
the evening hours
instead

so lie low tonight
or charge
the time there is
to pub
and such
though morning comes
and with it
some responsibility
unless
retirement
has taken over
as an age
or
attitude

and then
what then

a song of peace
results in consternation
for there is much to figure out
by night
by day

rebellion
indifference
extremes cut through
by rest

c l couch

(the song often sung in my college chapel Sunday night—here, sorry, the assurance questioned
       Now the day is over,
       Night is drawing nigh,
       Shadows of the evening
       Steal across the sky.
verse 1)

photo by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash 
“Sometimes you just have to look up.”
(caption given)

The Pastor’s Last Sunday

I will miss him
Miss his preaching
Frankly
Which is affirming
Reasonable
And good
Though she will be arriving

Actually
Has been her for a while
So they could consult
Past and present
Which is good
As well

Things change
They must
We have some count of
Three score and ten
After all

And we age
And there’s a time decided
When we step away
Into what might be
A formless new

Retire
Or Retry

And some part of the present
Must reform
As in
Add something new

C L Couch

For “Pastor Denny” (Reverend Doctor Dennis Keller)

Photo by David Weber on Unsplash