Mirror Poems of Stranger and Friend (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Mirror Poems of Stranger and Friend
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Rated "G" by the Author.

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MIRROR POEMS -- Never a Stranger -- John Herlihy Strangers can sometimes seem as friends. Just as friends can sometimes seem as strangers. We may feel an emotion we do not understand, A stranger’s welcoming smile, an extended hand. The familiarity of a friend can feel as a distant star, Whereas strangers only see us the way we are. The unknown within does lend an air of mystery, In the eyes of a stranger, we see who we might be. A mystery to be solved, a secret to be revealed, Something to be found out, otherwise concealed. We carry no excess baggage to weigh us down, Strangers induce a smile while a friend a frown. Strangers never let down by what they see inside, While friends can be upset with what we may hide. What little I have inside I will keep in reserve for you, Never a stranger, always a friend, as my heart knew. - - - - - - (c) John Herlihy 18 June 2019 -- Never a Friend -- John Herlihy Friends can sometimes seem as strangers, Just as strangers can sometimes seem as friends. We may feel an emotion they do not understand, A friend’s unwelcome frown offers mere reprimand. An encounter with a stranger as light of a distant star, Whereas friends may not even see us the way we are. What lies unknown within lends no true air of mystery, In the eyes of a friend, to be surprised by what we see. A mystery to be solved, a secret to be revealed, Something to be found out, otherwise concealed. We carry so much excess baggage to weigh us down, A friend induces a frown with strangers all around. Friends can be let down by what they see inside, While strangers have no idea what we may hide. What little I have inside I will offer the stranger in you, Never stranger, always friend, my heart always knew. - - - - - - (c) John Herlihy 18 June 2019

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on April 4, 2020

QUITE INTERESTING, JOHN, AND CERTAINLY WOULD MAKE FOR A WONDERFUL...GROUP DISCUSSION. CAN YOU IMAGINE THE OPINIONS? BUT BRIEFLY...I THINK BOTH TERMS CAN BE TAKEN TOO SERIOUSLY, BUT THEN AGAIN TOO LOOSELY, AS THERE IS A BIT OF 'MYSTERY' IN BOTH. A STRANGER CAN 'GET YOU' COMPLETELY IN THE SHORT TIME THAT LAPSES, THROUGH SHORT ENCOUNTERS WHILE TRAVELING, BRIEF CONVERSATIONS IN A STATION, OVER A MEAL ETC. WHILE A FRIEND, WHOM YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW SO WELL CAN COMPLETELY FLOOR YOU IN WAYS YOU NEVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE, REVEALING A SIDE YOU NEVER SAW. THE STRANGER YOU NEVER KNEW, YET YOU KNOW. THE FRIEND YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW, BUT DIDN'T. THIS COULD GO ON FOREVER, JOHN...ENJOYED AND THANK YOU. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

Reviewed on March 26, 2020

What impresses me with these two mirrored poems is their complementary perceptions, each the other in many ways. We so often make quick, harsh judgements, and reading something like this, puts a reminder to all of us. What one sees in another is usuaaly tempered by how we see ourselves... in them. Wonderful challenge. Thank you for posting.

Reviewed by John Domino

True. Which one are you? Maybe two...

Reviewed by Rebecca McKeehan

Reviewed on March 25, 2020

All friends begin as strangers. It is only in opening ourselves up that friendship is allowed to grow. But, sadly, friends can also become strangers again with the passings of time and experience. I enjoyed this.

Rebecca

Reviewed by Richard Cederberg

I think John, out of everything you do, these poems are uniquely you. Well done. Honestly, if each of us could rid ourselves of all our excess baggage, we might all be able to fly. Enjoyed your thoughts. Health and wisdom during these troubling times. Thank you for sharing. r