-- What Is and Is Not --

John Herlihy

A promise isn’t a promise

Until it’s kept.

A tear isn’t a tear

Until it’s wept.

Our love isn’t our true love

Unless internalized.

Our hatred of another isn’t true hatred

Unless the other victimized.

A mystery isn’t a mystery

Unless it is hidden.

A disclosure isn’t a disclosure

Unless it is bidden.

Our trust isn’t our trust

Unless maintained.

Our silence isn’t silence

Unless refrained.

Our happiness isn’t true happiness

Without its light.

The celestial stars are not true stars

Without the cover of night.

Our hope isn’t real hope

Unless it’s true .

Our knowledge isn’t true knowledge

Unless we knew.

A secret isn’t a secret

Unless it is kept.

Our sorrow isn’t true sorrow

Unless we have wept.

A straight road doesn’t turn

Until the bend.

Life never really ends

Until the end.

When my life comes to an end

Will I awake?

Will my existence enter a new dimension

My soul to perpetuate?

Human questions probe the mystery

Each with power.

Seeking a keyhole glimpse of eternity

In a second or an hour.

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(c) John Herlihy 2 October 2019