the Keep

God keep you
though in this world
I’m uncertain
on my way toward
doubting
what that means

God keep you
from harm
but we know
that doesn’t work
don’t we

God keep you
in a job
and house
and with security enough
to have these
without fear

God keep you
in peace
throughout your country
in such days

and in such days
we must not believe
keep such naivety
these days

and
sigh
so what does keep
what do I want
for you
in that

that God should keep you
anyway
in faith
and with peace that certainty
must pass understanding
the way
things are

and that
your choice
shall keep you
in the half-sphere of faith
that empties into heaven
all the time
where the other half
dispenses joy
that doesn’t lose a moment
in bathing you
somehow from inside out
with that
and peace eternal
peace internal

and so together
a new world
and with companionship
that cannot
be torn from war
against you
or anything
(that Bible promise)
from the Lord

c l couch


Numbers 6:24-26

photo by Vonecia Carswell on Unsplash