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