-- In the Light of Shadows --

­­John Herlihy

In the full light of day,

We take no notice.

What did the flower say,

“Nothing,” said the lotus.

In the moonlight of night,

We do take full notice.

What did the flower say,

“Everything,” said the lotus.

In the light of shadows,

We note with precision white light.

In the shadows of the light,

We note with precision dark shadows.

The secret is never revealed,

When the mystery is clear.

Mystery a ripe onion to be peeled,

Its vision feels like a spear.

Clarity lurks in the shadows,

In darkness, our sight is keen.

Seeing as if searching for rainbows,

Moonlight knows what shadows mean.

Commit a crime in the open,

There it is for all to see.

Who knows what it may betoken,

If the thief feels no desire to flee.

In the darkness of the night,

We see stars with panting breast.

Our hearts beat firmer in the light,

Forgiveness after having confessed.

In the full light of day,

We never see clearly the moon.

The blue sky has full sway,

The moon swept away by light’s broom.

The North Star shines forth brave,

In the blue-black highland of twilight.

But vanishes as a cowardly knave,

In the brash, bold glare of sunlight.

The light too many blemishes revealed,

The eyes miss nothing, opened wide.

In the mercy of darkness much concealed,

With all the faults we wish to hide.

The days is all perceptions,

In a starkness that can never lie.

The night is all reflections,

In the glass mirror of the eye.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Tuesday 12 October 2021