Talking to Myself (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Talking to Myself
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Monday, May 31, 2021 Rated "G" by the Author.

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-- Talking to Myself -- John Herlihy I have taken to talking with myself; Otherwise, I would speak to no one. Did I always do this without noticing? Now, in the quiet, the two of us near. The voice that I hear is most familiar; I never do hear the voice of a stranger. The person that I talk to is my other self, One person who knows me from the start. The witness who listens and understands. Pandemic loneliness turned into solitude. The thoughts I give voice to beg response. Encouragement or sympathy, even silence, My other, my true r self, knows what to say. I talk to myself like I never talk to another; Except to children, who also listen carefully, Sing a false note and they will call you out. No need for pretence, no need for the mask. Anything else I would only be kidding myself. There you have it, living alone for all this time; Yet in the solitude, always someone to talk to. - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Sunday 30 May 2021

Reviewed by Ruan Mills

Reviewed on January 27, 2026

Talking to one's inner self can be consulting your best ally.
"One person who knows me from the start."

I think we all do that in our heads ;
but as the outside noise becomes louder ...so do we.

An excellent write x

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on June 9, 2021

I LIKE THIS ONE AND CAN RELATE TO IT, FOR SURE. SOME OF MY MOST IMPORTANT DECISION ARE MADE AFTER A GOOD TALK...TO MYSELF. I LOVE THE PHOTO, JOHN. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on June 1, 2021

That certainly is a way to avoid loneliness. When I'm alone I find my head filled with thoughts that could be talking to myself. But your picture reminded me of the fact that I was a twin and when I was the age of the picture, my brother and I communicated perfectly. I know that is true because I have observed my twin brothers, 16 years younger, when they were that age and talking to one another almost constantly. Unfortunately, it was their own language that they made up and I didn't understand some of what they were saying to one another!

I know my singing is still quite good when I hear it and that is certainly and nicely reinforced by my partner who wants me to sing a cappella songs she relates to like, Unchained Melody, that I tried to do as well as the Righteous Brothers as I think about Elroy Hirsch (from my hometown from 7 to 12) in that lonely prison cell with no one to talk to but himself.

Ron

Reviewed by Judy Joy Jones

Reviewed on May 31, 2021

I love this and relate totally! Luv ya simplicity..feel im invited into your private thoughts which speak the "unspoken" of millions of people at one time or another. an eternal poem!