- The Certainty of Doubt -

By John Herlihy

While we often fall into doubt about certainty,

There can be no denying the certainty of doubt.

Certainty can affect the coloration of the mind,

But doubts can raise questions of another kind.

There is nothing wrong with questioning our belief,

Probing life’s mysteries can offer unexpected relief.

After all, mysteries lie there before us, loud and clear,

We never escape life’s uncertainties, we hold them dear.

Consider the uncertainty embedded within the future,

If uncertainty is the wound, then certainty the suture.

What of the uncertainty of death and what happens after,

Do we ever think about it or just pursue our laughter?

We have every right to probe our doubts, peal the onion,

Layer after mysterious layer, expecting the roar of a lion.

Doubt’s wind blows a breezy attitude we can do no wrong,

Feeling emboldened and cavalier, we sing our own song.

But then little doubts creep into our hearts, life is unfair,

We begin to wonder whether anyone really gives a care.

We begin to doubt this and that, everything under the sun,

Nothing holds our attention any longer, we are on the run.

We think we know something, but we aren’t that sure,

Our certainties begin to crumble and are no longer pure.

Doubt is every bit as solemn as the sanctity of certainty,

In certainty we bow heads, we shake heads at its cruelty.

Listen closely to me now because I will say this only once,

Certainty walks softly on all fours, like a cat ready to pounce.

Beware of a proud certainty that may lead you far astray,

Nurture your doubts, in the end, they may show you the way.

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(c) John Herlihy December 2018