-- Simple Sentiments --

John Herlihy

In these poems, I hope to capture simple sentiments,

Stripped of life’s complications in revealing moments.

We live in a world that ties everything up tight in knots.

Let’s recapture the innocence when we were little tots?

Happiness so simple, for example, no need to be deep,

Sorrow so personal that no one else will need to weep.

A love that draws its purity from an ancient innocence,

A hatred that will express itself with no false pretense.

The child gives itself to emotions with nothing to spare,

When they speak to you, their big hearts are laid bare.

Their emotions are as summer storms that will never last,

Dark clouds announce the storm, but soon they are past.

Rain comes down in a deluge and gives itself full scope,

Filling the lily’s cup as it fills our hearts with lasting hope.

Who endured the storm without actually seeing the rain,

Ever ready to brave the elements, but not profound pain.

Our surface eddies of emotions betray shadow and light,

To explore any deeper will reveal the depths of the night.

Star-lit specks of light that only ocean depths can conceal,

The light and shadow of currents only our spirit can reveal.

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(c) John Herlihy 8 June 2019