so Fathers Day (USA) is this Sunday (June 21) when I thought it was last Sunday; I wrote something for Juneteenth last Friday and don’t remember if I was in a fog remembering that date as well; I often think I should write and post before the day and rarely do that; well, by mistake or intention, there are two poems before the days for reading before or on each day
June 14 was indeed Flag Day in the USA, and it was Mitzi’s birthday
pink planet
not enough to be alive
sorry
but it isn’t
there must be more
there must be someone to
assist because
we’re made
to help
call the subject Eve
or a friend or a stranger
who
were the wives of Cain
and
so to serve
not unhealthy or a victim
for
in either then
we are enough
but once life is secure if not perfection
then
we must have something else
something more
even
beyond tending and
keeping
rather
the human to serve
and should the presence of the Lord
suffice and
for an anchorite or mystic
but
the rest are made this way by
God
to be
also to serve
more than either one
alone as if on or in
a world
of
one
and we’re not crafted in that fashion
we know because
I look at horizons typically
and before the edge is reached
to
take in
there’s you
c l couch
photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash
there could be inhabitants though it’s yet hot from formation
unbelieving Sunday best
I
think I should go
I have some coffee
to ready me
chemically
and maybe throw enough together
there is hot water
with some handsoap
nearby
and clothes
that should pass muster
one
more time
and so acceptably for an hour or so
then
back to exile
and the loneliness
but have had the hour
for faith and companionship
while keep
the faith
let go of the rest
as illusion
I
belong
enough to hope to find
other
than I the healthy
perfect you
and
if unbeknownst
you could leave with me
then
who knows
sometimes I could enter
faith and love
not needing to believe in these
or
that they are for you
yet also
me
coda
sip the coffee then
ten minutes to get ready
ten to get there
eight
and eight
c l couch
photo by Creab ThePolymath on Unsplash
Accra
church gone
as in I went
to church today
was
driving
and
drove in because I know
the church is pretty
and probably
for something
more
saw cars pull and people going
inside
so I went in
as well
hoping I could
I don’t know
make my way by gestures
forgotten
words
half-remembered
but
worship
anyway
the church was lit as much by
morning light
I think
a stark shadow rendering
in silhouette
the gigantic cross of
Jesus
I listened to the homily
about the special
day
today
of guardian angels
of angels
everywhere
I’m sure
we gently waved to each other
maybe
a legacy of the pandemic
and we smiled
I did not take part in
the Eucharist feast
since
it was twenty years or more since
confession
(I
don’t
think I would have been caught
out)
we left
I left
got in the car
resuming my drive
more
or less
to nowhere
into a world that matters
where
and when
(yesterday)
my
niece is
sick with cancer
c l couch
photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
The Explorers
Gagarin
And then Shepard
And all those who strived
To fly
And couldn’t
Because the experiments were
Unsuccessful and
Also
Something untoward happened
Loss of life so that others
Of us could go
Up there
Frank loss
Before Gagarin
After
Shepard
The cost like that paid
By
Icarus
To soar toward the sun
More than
The waxen body’s made
And yet
Crazy
And extraordinary
We go
And keep
On going
‘Til the satellites
Than the ships
Then
Space stations
Now
Moon
Once down though now
To live there
Now Mars
Inside our time
Our
Reach
It’s danger clearly
Also
Vision and new
Industry
Even good for business
(tin foil
and the microwave from the moon
race)
Though more the skill of hands
Pushed by minds
And hope
To take
Us there
And there and there
C L Couch
International Day of Human Space Flight
Photo by Planet Volumes on Unsplash
replacing a cell phone in 2025
(to my family first and then the artifact)
hi
my replacement phone is on the way
I wasn’t sure if had paid the insurance on the phone I had
(now run over)
but I had
I couldn’t access my account at first because they wanted to send a verification text
to the phone that’s smashed and splintered and (thus) no longer working
but there was a phone number that I called
and I spoke with a real person
who asked me for a PIN I didn’t know at first
and I tried a couple numbers in my head
and one of these numbers worked
then it was confirmed for me (by the real person) that I had indeed paid the
insurance
and so could get a new phone
for which I was given new numbers to try
phone number of the insurance company for the cell company
some sort of activation number
the number to call back once I had the replacement phone
on line again
I filed the claim
and now am assured (electronically) that a new phone is on the way
I might have considered an upgraded model
but received no enticement to that effect
and so
I’ll have the same kind and model of cell phone again
I’ll let you know when my mobile number should be working again
thanks
christopher
photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
To Serve with Love
(and what more)
I am very tired
Lord
And what do you have for me
Anyway
To try
And in the promises
Accomplish
Until the will is to move
Something else
Along
And there is a part
To play in
That
And with unknown others to complete
And so
Let my service for you
By
Your will
Maybe have
In part
Divine surprise
And if I suss well
Be
Satisfied
With the enormous will
I do
Or will not know
If in
A cloud
Of unknowing
C L Couch
Photo by Daoudi Aissa on Unsplash
(The Cloud of Knowing is a medieval text of Christian mysticism.)
(x = space)
x
x
or does it hurt to ask
x
I wrote a lot this morning
was it worth it
all of it
should I ask
it was something
something to choose from
or I’ll have to write some more
something timely
and to share
we’ll see
I shouldn’t ask
but rather keep going
using up electrons
paying for energy
electrically
and bodily
electric bodily
x
c l couch
x
x
photo by taner ardalı on Unsplash
x
(x = space)
x
x
To Philemon
(“and to the church in thy house”)
x
We are encouraged
By your faith
In fact
We have joy
x
Give Onesimus
Another chance
We send him
To you
He may have wronged thee
Take him back
x
If he owes anyone money
Or its equivalent
I will repay it
I tell you this myself
Who
Told you about the faith and
So be saved
x
Receive him
Who to me has
Become
Peer and colleague
And he will serve you
Especially this way
x
Treat him now
As one who has
Standing
No matter how it might
Have gone
Before
x
Let the deeper parts
Of all of us
Be glad
That we are one
In Christ
x
From all of us
Who live
Captive by the world
For now
Grace and peace
To thee
And thine
x
From prisoners with me
Paul
x
C L Couch
x
x
Philemon is the addressee of a brief epistle in the Christian New Testament
x
Photo by Mike Hindle on Unsplash
x
(x = space)
x
x
amen, amen, amen, amen, amen
(you can sing it)
x
there were good hymns
in church
and a couple that were sleepy
the sermon was terrific
for being true and in style easy
as if we could believe
afterward
and live it through the new week that
all this was meant to serve
amen
x
c l couch
x
x
photo by channel 82 on unsplash
x
clcouch123 
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