FACE VALUE
By John Herlihy
(Saturday 28/04/18)

Why do we just accept things at face value?
We look up at the sky above and call it blue.
It doesn’t matter that the sky isn’t blue at all;
This image of the heavens does hold us in thrall.

Color has a way of playing around with us as fools;
Rainbows promise the world, then break all the rules.
The budding, green leaves turn to livid autumn’s red;
Thanks to passing clouds, ocean’s blue is grey instead.

Then there is the perennial question of the dawn;
Emerging light kills the darkness the day to spawn.
Night and day seem little more than black and white;
We enjoy the days blessing and accept the dark of night.

That said, we cannot ignore the solid facts of twilight;
The day closes down to accept the coming of night.
In summer, days are longer as if they will never cease;
In winter, the days are shorter as if they are on lease.

Even so, day comes upon us as if from another world;
Light streams forth, thru a crack in the universe hurled.
The sky a silver shield reflecting a light never to cease;
The skyline comes alive with the cries of wild geese.

Indeed, what do we see within and beyond the face;
Potentially, a false mask that can set its own pace.
No one will dispute the face value of a friendly smile,
Unless our intuition suggests it is only there to beguile.

Finally, what about all those things that we simply accept,
Intentions, promises, and emotions that hold little regret.
They arrive in the moment with their clear face unfazed;
They bring positive attitude until certain questions be raised.

I always take things at face value and hope to appear wise;
We would end up questioning all that confronts us otherwise.
In the end, truth will have its way and make itself known.
If we end up questioning its value, it will remain unknown.