-- We Named Them Stars --

John Herlihy

Out of the vast depths,

Out of the darkness deep.

Beyond all silence ever heard,

Beyond the reach of any word.

When no clock measured a second,

When no tomorrow could beckon.

Where no shadow cast a shade,

Where no luminosity may wade.

A single speck of light was born,

Of the heart of a human soul torn.

Adam his name, as the father of all,

The first light to hold darkness in thrall.

Thereafter people were born, lived, died

Lifted into the heavens, with night allied

As the eons passed, the night sky did glow

Peopled with the souls the earth did know

Billions of souls now the lanterns of night.

We named them stars; they fill out sight.

Our eyes dazzled to stare forth in wonder,

Touched by their mystery, feel their thunder.

Have you ever asked where earthly souls go?

Do you ever care; do you even want to know?

They shine eternally in the firmament, in array.

Once among us, on our behalf, they now pray.

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(c) John Herlihy 5 August 2019