The Footprints of Time
By John Herlihy

Where is the raw beauty I once had the privilege to behold,
Where lies the profound mystery the revelations have told,
Where hides the truth but in bird wings and blades of grass,
Where resides the wisdom prophets and sages have amassed?

The light of our eyes breaks the spell that enchants the ear;
The chamber of the ear listens to music that soothes our fear.
The nose entertains smells that remember paradise so much;
Our emotions rise and resonate by our unique sense of touch.

Farewell to the far land where cloud shadows come to rest,
Where eagles have soared over the earth’s nurturing breast,
Where waterfalls roar, trumpets were the elephants’ reply,
The lake flows to the horizon where it touches the blue sky.

Farewell to all life’s adversity that cruelly put us to the test;
To misfortune in the making and compliments made only in jest.
While the sun always rises in the East, it justly sets in the West,
A shroud wraps the body as clouds hide the mountain’s chest.

Damnation awaits the demon who filled venom into my cup,
To seep death into the veins instead of life’s nectar to sup.
The moon serves as milky light to enchant the lonely garden;
The distant stars cast quivering light as if by way of pardon.

Forget not the seasons whose wild show we see one last time;
Spring and summer rains cover roots in lush moss and grime.
Autumn’s cornucopia of leaves fall to earth in a splash of color;
Winter snow carpets earth with a sense of peace as none other.

From heaven to earth lies pathways with the footprints of time,
Lost in the roughage I espy the meagre etchings that are mine.
I had arrived as an innocent babe in arms on the breath of wings;
I will soon be lifted heavenward as the celestial chorus sings.