On Being Alone (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

On Being Alone
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Friday, March 20, 2020 Rated "G" by the Author.

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Poetry cannot be true to itself if it isn't relevant. As we sit in the shadow of the great global pandemic now spreading across the globe, I offer this simple poem in tribute to the singular spirit of humanity.

-- On Being Alone -- John Herlihy Who would have believed it a month ago. Now everyone finds themselves very alone, A solitude we no longer even claim to know, What have we done that we must now atone? In total isolation with little sense of belonging, Left behind with us a ghostly sense of longing. Longing for the days we could freely commune, Longing for the hours we felt totally immune. Whereas once I looked upon people as other, Now I see everyone as my sister and brother. The unique connection of people and places, In my solitude, I see all their different faces. Through my window streams light of the sun, Here alone, but not really, for we are all one. - - - - - - (c) John Herlihy 20 March 2020

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on April 4, 2020

MAY I SAY, JOHN, I REALLY LIKE THE PHOTO THAT SO WELL SUPPORTS THIS WORK. I KEEP GOING BACK TO THAT SCRIPTURE; 'ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD...'. FOR, SO IT IS, IN THE FACE OF THIS PANDEMIC, ALONE IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR CREATOR MANY NOW HAVE THE TIME TO...REALLY THINK! AND ISN'T IT AMAZING, SO NOTABLE; HOW THE DISSENSIONS OF COLOR, CULTURE AND CREED HARMONIZE MELTING INTO...ONE HUMAN RACE...THE WAY GOD ALWAYS MEANT IT TO BE? I WOULD THINK THAT EVEN A MERE CHILD...WOULD 'GET IT'. YOU THINK? THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS VERY APPROPRIATE MESSAGE. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by John Domino

Reviewed on March 21, 2020

If I were single, I would definitely follow your sediments. Still, when my wife leaves for work I have periods of solitude. Sometimes I treasure those moments, then a cat jumps on my lap and reminds me I owe him a petting session. Ha! So much for solitude! If someone is lonely they should get a pet from the pet rescue missions. I have a hurricane cat and a wandering stray. They are angels that surround us every day. Amen

Reviewed by Rebecca McKeehan

Reviewed on March 20, 2020

Your poem touches because it is so universal in voice. While the world's leaders work to maintain some semblance of order in their countries, it's the people themselves who are reaching out to one another because we realize that we're all in this together. I see this mindset reflected on social media everyday. If there is a silver lining to any of this, it's the way we are pulling together. When its finally over I hope we don't forget the lessons we've learned.

Rebecca