-- White Fire Comet –

John Herlihy

I would rather be a fiery comet,

Than a lonely star set in a crowd.

The rhyming meteor in a sonnet,

Not stardust lost in night’s shroud.

Stars shine cold in the firmament,

Comets blaze a valiant, brave trail.

In a dark night of winter discontent,

A star stationary, no wind in its sail.

A lonely star with its air of mystery,

Casts a somber note on earth below.

The white light comet lends majesty,

Hopeful wonder on earth to bestow.

The comet alone in its solitary fate,

The star but one of the multitude.

Magical journey thru heaven’s gate,

On the wings of truth’s certitude.

White fire comet trailing its glow,

The powder of opium, pearls, gold.

Mingled together its light to bestow,

Night’s miracle on earth to behold.

A lonely comet, yet burning bright,

Thru pathways of heaven streaming.

Look at me, such a marvelous sight,

The glitter in my eyes simply beaming.

The apparition of night unannounced,

As if heaven itself needed such fanfare.

This divine plume thru the night pounced,

As earth looked up in wonder to stare.

This river of light the firmament stains,

Streaking naked across the depths of sky.

Below, its beauty run thru human veins,

Raising yet again the burning question why.

Look up, whoosh they say, and I am gone,

Having been worthy of one brief splendor.

Thousands of years in preparing this song,

In the heart of earthlings, a moment tender.

Since I am rarely seen, I rarely hearts stir,

I go about my business with little to say.

But as a white fire comet, thoughts blur,

For one brief moment, then go on my way.

- - - - - -

Copyright © John Herlihy

Saturday 26 March 2022