Dialogue of Father and Son (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Dialogue of Father and Son
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Saturday, November 21, 2020 Rated "G" by the Author.

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-- Dialogue of Father and Son -- John Herlihy Father, tell me the when of when. When do I grow up and grow old? You always talk of what has been. I want to listen to time twice told. You will never be old, forever young, Being there seeking, always wanting. Your voice will be heard, a lyric sung. What you sing will sound haunting. Father, tell me the what of what. What will I do and will I succeed? I wish to be decisive, with no but. All my weaknesses I hope to weed. Nothing you do can ever fully fail, Though errors will have their way. Life demands will your heart assail, But you will carry on day after day. Father, do tell me the how of how. We do things, but others we cannot. Noble ships thru rough waters plow, While I just tie myself up into a knot. In the hand of God lies total power. Every leaf and petal know His touch. Seconds could not add a single hour. His gifts fill a need, never too much. Father, now tell me the why of why. Surely all things have an inner reason. I see the bud bloom, then I see it die. Does everything have its own season? Fret not, you are young without a care, Simply live your life to the best, let live. Do what is in your power, nothing spare. Give of yourself, whatever you can give. Father, please tell me the who of who. Who am I and from whom do I come? I just want to know what others knew. Oh, how my heart does beat as a drum. Through me, yes, but from another born, From a grand master, father of fathers. Hand crafted in skill and with love shorn. You see His light far beyond the waters. Father, do tell me the where of where. I see the world, but what is the source? Tell me all, with never a truth to spare. Where begins a river to run its course? The river of life begins in celestial fields. Pure waters flow of primordial springs. To nourish life’s cycle, the water yields. Universes are born, as the Divine sings. No more questions, father, I am done. Fear not, my son, since we all ask why. I am happy, father, each day a day won. Listen to the wind, my son, Spirit is nigh. - - - - - - (c) John Herlihy 2 May 2020

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on December 22, 2020

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A FATHER AND SON CAN NEVER BE GIVEN TOO MANY ACCOLADES, ITS LASTING VALUE BEING ENDLESS. THE INDELIBLE NEGATIVE RESULTS IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH A RELATIONSHIP IS OFTEN SAD. ENJOYED. THANKS FOR SHARING, MY FRIEND. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Rebecca McKeehan

Reviewed on November 22, 2020

This is surely one of your most beautiful poems, John. I love the wisdom and innocence shared between the father and son, and is this not a beautiful dialogue also shared between our hearts and the divine? Very well done.

Rebecca

Reviewed by Mystic Rose

This is so beautifully penned with affection and loyalty to Father, its a masterpiece and you can be proud of having written it, Blessings dear John, from my home to yours.

Reviewed by Richard Cederberg

A poignant piece John. Touches the heart. Well done. Absolutely: the dialogue between father and son should be honest. But the information exchange should be gradual as the son matures and can understand a much vaster truth of what the world is really like. Thanksgiving blessings. r

Reviewed by Budd Nelson

fine words that all should hear

Reviewed by Eva Pasco

Reviewed on November 21, 2020

A beautiful poem! All we can do is live life to the best, giving of ourselves whenever we can. Simple, but profound in its depth and scope.

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

As you know, I'm more inclined in the direction that Ron commented. The effort to give the son some foundation for love, as opposed to none, is still worth considering, given the percentage of hate mongers that proliferate the world today.

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

An interesting concept. Son asking questions and his father answering as best he can. Unfortunately, he's passing down the myth of misfortune. That is caused by a plan set by some all seeing, all doing god as though there were no choice in this world. It would be much better if the father had enough bravery to say that each life makes its own through myriad decision, some great, many small. While the world is filled with random occurrences that are linked through many laws of nature that we as humans have discovered and can use to predict. That does not make us god, but only intelligent. The more intelligent we are, the better we understand our world.

Ron