David C. Couper: priest, police chief, poet, and social activist
  • HOME
  • A Vision for Police
  • Excerpts from "Arrested Development"
  • Interviews/Reviews of the Book
  • Leadership and Change
  • Photos
  • Why Faith? -- A "Q & A"
  • CONTACT
  • Excerpts from "Arrested Development"
  • Leadership and Improvement
  • Poetry
  • Leadership and

Poetry

Restoration Point: A Book of Poetry

RABBITS

it began
with a reunion
in minneapolis
a celebration of our
75 birthday years
high-schoolers
grandparents
like me
re-newing the
sparks the next day
maudlin-like i
drive home to
our farm
thankful
for her who
graces my life
who waited wisely
for me
to
grow up
in the morning i
visit our
pool
and there it
is
a body
lying on the bottom
a young
rabbit
drowned
and
instantly it is
50 years ago
and it am at the
river bank
under the bridge
a policeman
on the diving
team
i lower myself
into the
current
and slowly descend
i see them
a couple
sitting in the
sportscar
safety belts attached
waiting
for me to
carry them to shore
locked in time
that october evening
upright and
parked
some things never
to be
forgotten
two youths
and
a rabbit
drowned.

Sept 23, 2013





SWANS

we see them
two swans
on the pond south of us
we look for their faithful
arrival each year
a couple
each year
they mate and hatch a young or two
the chicks never seem to make it
they are gone
much too soon
and yet
each year we see them
faithfully arrive
but this year
only one has settled on the pond
he swims and
nests across from where
they made their home
not approaching that sacred place
will he be back next year?
to visit these memories of their youth?
to see their nest again
now but a remnant
in the changing landscape
of these breathtaking
hills and valleys?

(2010)



SPRING BROOK

rocks
& watercress
it’s spring
our birthday
and the birds
have
returned
and the buds
appeared
and yet
is our love
any different?
any less dependable?
or less consistent?
i think not
you are like spring to me
each day
warm
fragrant &
expectedly
unexpected.
(1985)

​
Order “Restoration Point”
Order “Restoration Point”
Find out more
  • HOME
  • A Vision for Police
  • Excerpts from "Arrested Development"
  • Interviews/Reviews of the Book
  • Leadership and Change
  • Photos
  • Why Faith? -- A "Q & A"
  • CONTACT
  • Excerpts from "Arrested Development"
  • Leadership and Improvement
  • Poetry
  • Leadership and