-- HOW NEAR AT HAND AND HOW FAR --

John Herlihy

How beautiful all of nature is,

If they had open eyes to see it.

How impressive silence is,

If they had ears to hear it.

How melodious sound is,

If they had ears to listen to it.

How rough and smooth texture is,

If they had sensitive fingers to feel it.

How moving experience is,

If they had a mind to realize it.

How intoxicating perfume is,

If they had the nose to smell it.

How near at hand life is,

If they had senses to feel it.

How near at hand and how far,

As near and far as that shining star.

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(C) John Herlihy 25 February 2019