MIRROR POEMS

-- I Gently Weep --

John Herlihy

I gently weep

For the world of suffering

And for the suffering of the world.

I gently weep

For all the wrong done

And for all the good not done.

I gently weep

For the world of chaos and disorder

And for the chaos and disorder of the world.

I gently weep

For those seeing who do not see

And for those blind but who do see.

I gently weep

For the lies believed

And for the truths disbelieved.

I gently weep

For all the promises that are kept

And for all the promises that are not kept.

I gently weep

At the beauty within the reach of our hearts

And at the hearts that do not see the beauty.

That injustice and hatred will prevail

I do not smile,

I gently weep.

-- I Gently Smile --

John Herlihy

I gently smile

At the depths of the forests

And at the depths of the sea.

I gently smile

At the glow of the moonlight

And at the glitter of the stars.

I gently smile

At the innocence of the child

And at the wisdom of the old man.

I gently smile

At the brightness of the day

And at the darkness of the night.

I gently smile

At the height of the mountain peaks

And at the emptiness of the desert. sands

I gently smile

At the rivers that run sure

And at the birds that fly free.

I gently smile

At the sun offering itself to the day

And at the moon offering itself to the night.

That justice and love will prevail

I do not weep,

I gently smile.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Friday 28 May 2021