what succeeds
words fail
though
for good or ill
they
are what we have
I’m not sure what the language
is
for impulse
though I know we act
and maybe later
find
the words
and what do we think but
maybe nothing
or
perhaps
the saving words we
have because
there
are a few
c l couch
photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash
(I’m sorry, I rely on words that sometimes have two meanings and I mean both, which can go hard in translation; here I mean “succeeds” as to achieve and also as what follows)
cherish is the word
the spooky tree
I just heard mention of
a “spooky tree”
trees are spooky
I suppose
or can be especially when given
the Hallowe’en shape
and
association
though trees are green as well
and the green parts
we are drawn
to
for all they are as well as
what they mean
green
la vida
(not loca)
we have had an equinox
lately
and so we’re on a kind of edge
or cusp
in
not so much
the sky-shape of the moon
and how the stars
are
traveling
or even tables of tides
or even
Zodiac zones
we are on a line
an edge
a cusp
and spring should follow
normally
though we have put the seasons on an edge
as well
through what we’ve done to sky
water
and ground
our edge
(related to the others)
is made up of
resolve
which the other things with lines and such
can’t muster
we choose the Earth
we choose
the sky
the water
and the ground
and we choose each other
in the kind of
relation
that comes with deciding our part
of the cosmos
(sometimes
consideration is that
big)
what shall we choose
and
how to live
we have a cusp for timing
there’s no point in
despotism
we can be equal in each other’s eyes
and
all selective senses
and
yes
there’s good
and there is evil
and they need attending
for each is in the world
as each is
in
and from
each of us
we have to keep a world
governments and industries
we should value life
our lives
in whatever motley way we have life
once
we have it
and it goes on
the isms have their place
though they should be mollified by
things
mentioned through ages
befitting
old
and new
and renewed
c l couch
“Cherish” is a song written by Terry Kirkman and recorded by The Association. “Cherish” was released in 1966.
Photo by USGS on Unsplash[--]Soaring, snow-capped peaks and ridges of the eastern Himalaya Mountains create an irregular white-on-red patchwork between major rivers in southwestern China. The Himalayas are made up of three parallel mountain ranges that together extend more than 2,900 kilometers. [From USGS.] (And it looks a bit like a Hallowe’en tree. From me.)
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we can be
brief
without sound-bites
that are extreme
the other way
while
of course
beyond verbosity
we can punch with words
we can overwhelm instead
or more
with
reason
and with courage
they need such words in
western Carolina
Florida
in western Asis
too
and all the places
that need healing
still
they need work
we know
more than
words
though words will
give the order
as well as
keep us going
how about
few words with
power inside
with which
words invoke power
to work
to expend our better energies
say
we love you
and we’ll help you
meaning
significance
and practicality
and
we’re coming
and we’re there
with
more than wishes
alone
rather with agendas for
health
and maybe peace
upon the land
and in our
minds
and in our
hearts
and in our
souls
too much of you
has perished
lost
too much
and with few words
we’re on our way
with actions
and resources
in hope of nature’s and our own
cessation
of destruction
at least
long enough to heal
and
with God’s help
perhaps
to remain whole
on these parts
our people
of Earth
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photo by MJ Tangonan on Unsplash
Chimney Rock, North Carolina
(my family tells me Chimney Rock the town’s no longer there)
troubadour
the scribe would write
holy
the troubadour
should
sing
everything
and should they be the same
they never were
so who wrote the epics
in between
that sometimes sound like holy wit
for
wisdom
and for warning
and come across for pleasure
in
the meeting place
long house
or
fires outside
in each season
when
and where
words shall save
for
entertainment
frankly
plus in telling
or implying
our own gospel
and will you come again
tomorrow
I must be on the way
to the next
place
where is the next place
stay for one more night so
we may sadly
tell you
the next morning
you are kind
for an audience
I shall stay
and gladly so
and so
the word got out through these
the news
rumors of news
what
to be ready for
at home
because of what’s developing
out there
and then
a song with verse
that has no meaning
and then
a song with verse
that has
a good night
for all our sakes
into
our heaven
hope for heaven
wills
tomorrow
by your leave
and mine
and God’s own
c l couch
photo by zibik on Unsplash
General Delivery
It’s all for
General delivery
Eventually
These words
Your words
The words of anyone
To our chagrin
It all gets kept
Inside the book
Except when
The doctrine of
Justification
Is established
And then
The sins are written out
No book mark
Or any record left
When we can try again
To draft
Compose
Revise
Edit
Have someone else maybe
Take a look
Then we commit
The words are out there
Once again
Actions
Repercussions
Maybe it goes well
This time
For we are clearer
Then become reliable
For this
To some
Even constituents
Those we serve
Most closely
While in the future
Subject to interpretation
Still
Whom do we know
And how
The ethnologists
Have a way
With story
And might get us right
Eventually
We have today
For saying the right thing
And if we need
To make up for it
(not make it up)
Well
We have our doctrine
Still
To keep us
With our God
And with each other
Say this
Don’t say anything
Restraint
And modesty
Could be our values
Too
With respect to keep a world
From destruction
And bring us to
Instead
A table
Neither polished
Or shaped perfectly
But smooth enough
With people standing
(sitting)
By for splinters
But ‘round which
We have set ourselves
For conversation
The expressions
Of ourselves
The receiving of
The offered words of others
Why
There are models
Of this
Here
And every day
Thank goodness
C L Couch
Photo by Brina Blum on Unsplash
(x = space)
x
x
The Actual Words of God
(don’t worry)
x
God says
Stand up
God says
Up on one foot
(as you are able)
Now down
Uh-oh
You didn’t hear
God says
x
Righteous
Confusion
To say we hear the right thing
All the time
From God
Whose big voice
In the sky
Has chapters for us
As a best-selling
Enterprise
x
How do we know what God says
Well
We don’t
God might speak rather directly
To the mystics
Find a mystic
For the rest of us
We have a text
Then say hello
Then listen
And that ain’t all bad
x
We won’t have anything
To sell
But the working out
Shall take a grownup lifetime
With the pleasure
Fully realized
In prayer
Without agenda
Or to find agenda
There
Rather than first
And then
Get the holy language
To agree
x
The actual words of God
Don’t worry
We’ll say things
We’ll listen
We’ll have feelings
We’ll have instincts
Which shall be
Our life of faith
Credible
Without a claim
Or verbatim
But what should love
As we learn God
And live
Tell us
Anyway
x
While if you’re Moses
Reading this
Or Deborah
Or Julian
I think you’ll understand
For the rest of us
x
Be easy
I believe
You might say this
Too
x
C L Couch
x
x
Photo by Achim Ruhnau on Unsplash
x
(x = space)
x
x
The Conditions of the Prophet
x
What shall God say today?
Not to me
I am not a vessel
Until God doesn’t mind the cracks
And grime
Under the rim
And maybe not:
Maybe God calls on us
To call
Who are not unblemished alabaster
Uncracked
Ancient yet young
To appreciate
x
Well, there are no museums here
Not inside the person
If there is a purpose
And I’m told
Rather explicitly,
I’ll follow
Though there are conditions
x
I can’t be crazy
Or made crazy
There must be gentle tones allowed
Simplicity
Would be instructive
While dignity
Would be grand
x
If these can be traits
In a manifesto
Then I’ll call it
x
And if these traits
Cannot be followed, well,
I’ll follow
Share the word
With the same conviction
Sigh,
No conditions
And apologizing for
Conditions
x
C L Couch
x
x
Photo by Bruno van der Kraan on Unsplash
x
(x = speak)
x
x
LoveSpeak
x
What does God’s love say
In the face of danger?
Through many dangers,
Toils, and snares
God’s love says
I’m here
The love is here
The source is here
The host is here
We’re here
x
Though there be anger,
Scorn, and fear
From enemies and friends
Alike
Because doubt and unbelief
Might have to have
Their way,
The love of God is first
And follows
Like the currents inside Earth
And over,
The moving pillars
Cloud or fire
That are before
And after
x
Alongside in
The truth of companionship
But I can’t see that
You can
It’s more than senses
With which we perceive
As best we can
x
Presence and love are better
They are inside
And out
They speak without words
Until it’s time for words
x
When we have ears to hear
And cannot hear,
Count on the company
Of the divine
To know us better,
Pick us up
If fallen,
Go with us onward
Leading, should we ask
x
C L Couch
x
x
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
x
“Amazing Grace” (the hymn) referenced above
x
(x = words)
x
x
Left Words
x
I look at another
Blank page,
Which is all right
There’s something down
Already,
Already stained with
Letters
x
One letter by one
Formed into words
Making a shape on
The page
Out of many shapes
(sanserif)
x
Once I read a
Single poem that
Trailed along the left
Side of the page
With a lack
Of syntax but
Replete with
Meaning, nonetheless
I could tell
x
The letters were sizable
And the name on top
Was famous
x
And that’s how
It’s done,
I supposed
It appears in
Someone else’s book
x
C L Couch
x
x
Photo by Gary Butterfield on Unsplash
Howard Hotel, 57 Howard St, Sheffield S1 2LW, UK, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
x
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