masks of course that smile
(Monday after goodness from sabbath times is done)
I’m tired
tired of playing the game
goes
the satiric song
but tired
really
don’t you know and
maybe you could share
from
everything exhausting
which sometimes is the blur
and not much more
and
sometimes is the imposition of
the expectation
that busyness must reign
the real
virtue
and by image
don’t you know
we have
so many things to do
which
is why
there is no real time for you
and
don’t worry
we are teaching children
if not how
but by the show to live
frantic
and frenetic
in the way
for generations
c l couch
“I’m Tired” sung by Madeline Kahn in Blazing Saddles
Francis and Me
(not unlike/not really like Ben and Me, book by Robert Lawson, film by Disney)
I’m too tired
Got up because
I was up
Got coffee for the ritual
And pleasure
From
The ritual
I’m writing
Though it’s gunk-like
Like old oil
That hasn’t yet been cleaned away
Nearly
Enough
From the machine
Replace the batteries
As well
Or something like
For charge
Get into it
But it’s a push
Against the hours I have lost
Again
Against pre-morning
Early-light
Fractal illumination
I ask
Of myself
As audience
While illumination
Of all kinds
Tries
To creep in
Over the factual sill
And the one
To
The mind
Over the parts
That sense
And I happen
Out of nerd-like interest (maybe)
Or a patriot’s dream
To think
About
Pre-dawn
Near a fort
On a ship
Neither so far away
(to ask)
How soon did he
How soon
Did Francis spy
The flag
Then write while on the ship
After uncertainty except
The fact of
(not a doorframe but)
A battle
Overnight
C L Couch
(starting at 4:30)
“The Fact of a Doorframe” is a poem by Adrienne Rich (title of book, too, “Selected Poems”)
Photo by Jamie Morrison on Unsplash
I Do Confess ’t
God
I feel fat
Like the fat
That Gertrude
Said of Hamlet
Meaning
Tired
Or unprepared
Or
You know
Fat
I think
You’re with me
On the inside
And guide me
From there
The presence
Of your
Spirit
Prompting
Poking
Whatever motion
Works
And I
Recalcitrant
(and fat)
Do not get it
Push back
With my own will
‘Til near
Destruction
Sometimes
And
Sometimes
Even after
You’re with me
When I’m
Slow
And wrong
Through the thickness
Of my flesh
That hides
Everything I want
To hide
Awareness of the harm
I cause
In all directions
To all souls
And do I do
So much
Or
Take too much credit
With vanity
Somehow
In deprivation
When
I know
You can ameliorate
Reach out
In dreams
Or more directly
Touching the vibrations
Of heart-wisdom
In the hurt
And maybe
For the moment
Lost
C L Couch
QUEEN He’s fat and scant of breath.— Hamlet 5.2.313
Photo by cal gao on Unsplash
(x = space)
x
I know this is odd (well, odder), but I got hungry
x
x
Portrait of the Artist as a Hungry Person
x
Tired and hungry
Thirsty
Maybe that’s all there is
For now
x
I sit here and write
Distraction
Is a sea behind me
What in the hour
Should I do
x
How shall I let go
To find something
For the cup
On the plate
In my hand
Excused from this
x
To dine
To talk with someone
To play a game
Before returning
To this game
x
C L Couch
x
x
Photo by Juan Manuel Núñez Méndez on Unsplash
x
(x = space)
x
x
Tired Love
x
Everything should stop
You’re tired
Haven’t quite hit the wall
But everything’s okay enough
And you’re tired
Time to snap
Like upper and lower crocodile teeth
But don’t
x
Give everyone a break
Sorry if the world does not agree
But you have to
Have a drink
Water’s good
Be still
x
From within, get to know
The bones and muscles
The rest of you
And rest
Some minutes of this will help
If you can retire for the day
Like a vacation
You can feel that good
x
Maybe not less serious
All issues remaining,
After all
But better in a somber way
That matters
Then go back to it
To her and him
And them
x
C L Couch
x
x
Photo by Simon Watkinson on Unsplash
A crocodile jumping from a river in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
x
I lost some electronics last week; the Verizon person replaced big parts. The new WordPress editor is unwieldy. I’ve had extra headaches and added issues in the building. Sleeping has been harder. I’ve fallen behind and feel sorry for that.
x
x
Yawnism
x
When we’re tired
When we need an extra breath
Impulsive
Expresses boredom,
I suppose
If we could do it on cue
Mainly,
I think it says
It’s time for something new
Getting up or sitting down
Moving
Or less movement
The diaphragm needs to
Push on the lungs
And now;
Waiting would not be prudent
As trying to suppress it shows
Like most activities,
It is a process
Animals, we may believe,
Do it not for show
But smoothly
And in purity,
For real
x
Ingenuous about offense
(or is it ingenious?),
We could follow them
Meaning to signal
Nothing more
(to take away)
Than
Everyone wears out
x
C L Couch
x
x
Photo by Girl with red hat on Unsplash
Cat yawning on blue bed.
x
psalm 4-something
too tired for capital letters
proper phrasing and
reliable numerals
I extend my hope
my hand is open
will I have it when I draw it back
will it be empty with some taken off
will it be an open plain upon which is
something of a gift
something to keep me going
source of sustenance
symbol of believing
even the lines on my palm
might tell me as they intersect
that patterns are really chaos
without some understanding
nothing gnostic or occult
no wise artificial secrets
only openness, like a hand,
when the act is fragile
ready to receive whatever
you place on me to do
clcouch123 
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