From a Chrysalis Born
By John Herlihy

The poem comes alive for just a moment
During the time when it is being born.
The words emerge to create the verses
Out of a chrysalis that has newly formed.
Many ideas struggle to come forth alive,
From nowhere the drama unfolds in stride.
The secretive process continues its stirring;
Whispers of the heart could be heard purring.

Of course, there are never any people around;
Silence reigns much louder than any outer sound.
All the open doors to the world are totally closed,
The doors to inner secret rooms are fully exposed.
The chicklings pick at the shell, the nestlings fly;
The chrysalis breaks open to become a butterfly.
Behold the magical wonder that arrives with birth;
Sheer blessing that spreads across the entire earth.

Epic battles, forces of light and darkness, peace;
These are the themes that the poet will release.
Silence swallows sound as night shadows day;
The poem now lives in time’s realm on its way.
The meeting of mind and heart results in curlicues;
Ink drops left behind on the page sit on church pews.
Words, verses, stanzas fill the air of earthly space;
Unknowns become known within the human race.

The poet, who once felt alone, never to feel alone again,
When this mystery of creative awakening may happen.
All the forces of outer and inner worlds come aligned,
The poet has laid bare his soul, with the poem signed.