Sadness Lies at the Heart of Things (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Sadness Lies at the Heart of Things
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Sunday, February 19, 2023 Rated "G" by the Author.

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-- Sadness Lies at the Heart of Things -- John Herlihy Sadness inevitably lies at the heart of things, The transitoriness, change and passing life brings. Things born, mature, wither, never stay the same, Out of the dewy mist a wind, as silence holds reign. The way of the world, evanescent, inscrutable, The way of the soul, mysterious, immutable. Consider the sadness at the heart of things, The downfall, the missing, the loss of one’s wings. The wayward son wandered off never to return, Once a gurgling infant, now smoldering ember to burn. A passion, a wish, a dream never allowed to bloom, Now written on destiny’s scroll as feelings of doom. Despite the sadness found at the heart of things, A majesty, a beauty, the bird of life soaring on wings. As age creeps up, the vision of the eyes begins to blur, As wisdom takes hold, an inner vision begins to stir. We live our lives without knowing our rightful place, Ever searching, ever seeking, to find the one true Face. Although sorrow may lie at the heart of things, Let us refuse to succumb to contradictory feelings. The cocoon of love pierced by the spear of hate, Courage makes us bold while cowardice our fears await. Safe and secure feels fine, yet linger our insecurities, Certainty has its moment, close behind lie uncertainties. Think of the sadness that lies at the heart of things, Bees sip the flower’s nectar with a weapon that stings. Blushing petals timidly open amid the thorns of the rose, Warmth of summer days ravaged by the icy winter snows. The emerald leaves of the mighty oak wither and die, The wind sings its own praises before uttering a sigh. Inside the sadness we find at the heart of things, Only one drop of many emotions that life wrings. Sad emotions spill forth like a flooded cornucopia, No one ever said that we would be living in utopia. Much of life touched by sadness that makes us wise, Sadness passes thru a sieve to make ready a surprise. Wear the crown of sorrow, yet remember happier things, Even a king cannot escape the sorrow that this life brings. The price of our sorrows found in the joy for which we pay, Just as the ghosts of night find no traction in the light of day. Whenever sorrow shows its face, relief is never far behind, Our moods are fickle, even our sorrows will flee the mind. Only a poet finds words for a sorrow that does not speak, Like the night, sorrow bids farewell, the new day to greet. - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Sunday 1 January 2023

Reviewed by Corrine Ardoin

Reviewed on March 7, 2023

Oh, my god, what a beautiful poem. I was completely connecting with it, this time in my life where, in order to move forward I must let go of the past. But, oh, so many things I have lost along the way. We must grieve the losses, yet it is because of that deep well of sorrow that we have a much greater capacity for experiencing joy in the simple beauty of life with all its passion. Tears from grieving and tears of joy. This is a great poem. Thank you!

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on February 28, 2023

THE BEST AND FOREMOST EXAMPLE OF THIS IS...CALVARY. SO THEN...A SOUL THAT HAS NEVER CRIED...A HEART THAT HAS NEVER BEEN BROKEN...A MIND THAT HAS NEVER BEEN LOST...A BODY THAT HAS NEVER BEEN UNFULFILLED; CAN NEVER SPEAK OF WHAT THEY HAVE NEVER KNOWN. THUS, SADNESS 'MUST' LAY AT THE HEART OF 'THINGS'...WHEREBY, BEAUTIFUL THINGS SUCH AS 'HIS' HOPE, 'HIS' FAITH, 'HIS' PERSEVERANCE, 'HIS' ENDURANCE, 'HIS' STRENGTH, 'HIS' LOVE SPILLS FORTH AS A NEW DAY...THAT GREETS AND ENCOURAGES THE POET AND THE POET, IN TURN ENCOURAGES...OTHERS. A MARVEL AND A KEEPER! THANK YOU, JOHN. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS.

Reviewed by Mystic Rose

Reviewed on February 19, 2023

Only a poet finds words for a sorrow that does not speak, I often feel very fortunate to have this outlet John, and I am sure you are too, thankyou for sharing this jewel of a poem, :)

Reviewed by Richard Cederberg

An insightful poem, John. "Every man beholds his human condition with a degree of melancholy. As a ship aground is battered by the waves, so man, imprisoned in mortal life, lies open to the mercy of coming events." Emerson. Enjoyed. Peace.... rlc