the process of the psalm
how did the psalmist write
I wonder
how was the work composed
what
was the process
if
in paper and with pen
or quill or frayed papyrus
were there amanuenses
who
waited for each word
or
was the draft done mentally
and with the harp
at hand to test the measures and then
to set down
and
then all gone over many times
before the purpose
of subtitles
realized
by singers in or near the temple or at
the shrine before there was
a temple
serving
as the composition served
and
served through generations of us
in this age
and
we have the paper
anyway and some give music for an art
for
what’s on there for conveyance
and
we can replicate the act
when all
the people gathere or
for one
depending on the intimacy referenced
and yet it’s all
there
for use
I suppose
if sometimes there is an I or a you or a we implied
and underlying
sometimes to say
the Earth itself should sing
to praise
provision and the might
that is
implied
or saved until a parting of the sea of
food fall from heaven
should
be needed
and did we think of these or simply fear
our need
and then the exigence addressed
though miracle
of
power
and
yes
we could say of timing
that we need what we need
when
needed
though we don’t command the schedule anymore
than the agenda
of what
God can do
or
when
so sing to the Lord or
read it off the page
our
expressions and intentions
as we might own
what
is given there and over centuries
and to you
to me
to us
and now
c l couch
Psalm 96
1 Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, praise . . .
[NIV]
photo by Joël Vogt on Unsplash
libretto
God is a funny old thing
which I suppose
has not been said so often
and
maybe should not be said again
old
though
well
because you know
and funny because
there’s the ostrich
and the platypus
and auk
and us
and we’re funny when we’re not
tragic
such goodness and also
such corruption
and what to do with funny
old
us
not so ole
though we have tried the Earth
over ages
as an image
and are there parts of
the model we’re forgetting
the eccentric
parts
the kind
the giving when the bottom line says no
a resistance to build monuments
and let art live in
other places
other ways
that let stone breathe
and
even plastic we might build with
even to take the things with
which we poison
Earth
flora and fauna and let them speak
creative
while we go creative
first and also practical
because all
our strengths
are
strong out of
belief in ourselves
and
that’s the model
too
for God is all that’s good and also
useful
also beautiful
in all the ways we have been made and not
to judge so much as
dance
remembering the first inspirator
in
our notes
and in our steps
c l couch
photograph by Hans at Unsplash
dire psalm
off the edge
I get
too close
even though the fog of consequence
is in there
over the last safe line
no
not that way
this way
where we were
all the steps
before
and if the land were not so hale
at least we knew
some
of the demons wandering
sometimes by
name and if we could not contend
could be
content enough to breathe
here
and stay that way
(breathing)
in the fog
I doubt there is evangelism
though
I’ve heard of
the harrowing of hell
and
I guess we must remain alive
to share words on
this
side
or hear the ones we need to hear
dissemble
for hypocrisy
we’re simply scared
before
and contemplating after
the billows of unknown
the formless clouds
which is
their form
so caught between the sure thing
the condemns
and what we’ve heard of darkness
and
temptation to go there
so where is the safe place
where
might we live
in confidence despite moral contraries in
the ways of the world
is there balm
and where is Gilead
for
that
or what is the prescription
more so the order to have medicine
brought
local
say
to the heart and mind
even as we are
or
where we are
well
you are in both places
I believe
and we believe and maybe there is
confidence
in faith
or maybe not but you are with us
in the doubt
the cloud of our own making
and unmaking in
the shapeless and yet fearful places
of
the soul
the needs to go somewhere
and
wherever
might we go with you
and to that we might
if like temerity
enough even boldly to affirm with
if not selah
then
an amen
c l couch
photo by Kristaps Ungurs on Unsplash
camp song
peace
give I to you
not as the world gives
give I to you
well
that’s how I learned it
I recall the high tones of campers
singing
behind the fire
while I and mine were
on the other side
and it was night
and so
we sang across the flames
while
dark
received peripherally
an antiphon
c l couch
(I couldn’t find the song as I searched on line, though I imagine somewhere in cyberspace the song is cited, if not sung)
photo by Josh Campbell on Unsplash
the better college time
Sunday afternoon
was
followed by the evening
in the chapel
and
we would in the choir sing and then
haul ourselves down
front
for the sermon
and
then would sing again
everyone
we all
took part
and there was a song
we sung
while the church organ vibed beneath
and the song
was
telling us
that some things like this day were
done
and out into the air
back to
our dorms
as
quickly to forget
and worry like wool being
our worries
we tried nonetheless to work for
Monday
if
unprepared
and should come regardless
yet the better words
than
stress alone
now
the day is over
night is drawing
nigh
shadows of the evening steal
across the sky
I’m sorry you can’t hear the tune
until you can
but
there are words
and grammared nicely
if
and as reordered
above
and
(yet)
reading these even just now
might
take you into night
its and our assurance
of
the night
c l couch
photo by Daniil Silantev on Unsplash
forward one red leaf
before a crimson chorus
conducting fall's song
c l couch
today in my friend’s yard a big red leaf hanging lonely, behind which smaller red leaves formed a line, nature auguring fall, I suppose
photo by Stephen Mabbs on Unsplash
over somewhere
I wake up alone
and sad
maybe not for loneliness
but in what happens
when
it’s applied
I’m thinking of
Judy Garland’s character in The Wizard
of Oz
singing about the rainbow
really how to go beyond
and more on what left’s behind
not so much on what
she’ll find
since
after all
she doesn’t know
except that
troubles there somehow should melt
foreshadowing
what should happen to a magic foe
in water
leaving the word monotoned
to find the color
that
the screen provides
Oz
the paradise
the peril
and it seems tornadoes must decide
the timing and the means
as if
disaster act like prophecy
shortly after singing
all the wishes
which we might forget about as well
on the other side
in
say
living color
there
like my family room back then
watching with
well
you know
c l couch
photo by Aleksandar Pavlovic on Unsplash
the old anthem I can’t find
(but used to sing)
an old anthem
leads from Ecclesiastes
into James
a strange splicing
though it indicates progression
beginning with a celebration
and a caution
for youth to find joy
in being
youth
and also concern
since
one day there is judgment
James
then goes further
asking youth or anyone
really
to consider
the wrong aspects of desire
when we ask
we ask awry and even
kill
thinking to satisfy our wants
yet
there is the claim of the perfect law of liberty
that
whoever lives into this law
shall be blessed
and this law
what shall we say
what it
might be
if more context is required
the commandments
then
those
that Jesus cites
above all
and so a good place to begin
not only a life of faith
but that is satisfied
for through
these we know how to ask
aright and even get what we really
want
since
wanting is fine and it’s the twisting of want
that ruins it and
everything around it
I wish I could find that song
I used to sing it when a youth
and
as an anthem
it was loud
harmonious
and
true
c l couch
Ecclesiastes 11:9
James 1:25
James 2:4
(KJV)
Matthew 22:36-40
photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
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)
clcouch123 
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