Hurt (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Hurt
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Monday, April 24, 2023 Rated "G" by the Author.

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Hurt By John Herlihy I don’t know much But this I do know I know what hurt looks like I’ve seen it in the face of others I’ve seen it in my own face Seen it in the eyes of others See it mirrored in my own eyes The carelessness, the indifference When hurt comes into its own The disregard thrown my way The hurt a knot in the throat A shadow cast over the eye A base cord struck in the heart The mind feels a dark veil drawn The body inclined to shut down The hurt hidden view public view A hidden weakness or stealth betrayal A thing of shame not to show or share Settles as surface residue darkening waters Drawn down into the shadowy darkness As eyes close, the heart begins to ache Without the light of day, the hurt less real Like fear, hurt has no sense of presence Its strength begins to simmer down Like the cooling of smoldering coals Once a thing to be feared, a thing real The debilitating hurt but an idea again The hurt waiting to gain more traction The impossible waiting to be possible Hurt a grievance that wants to stay I breathe deeply and just walk away Leaving behind this dreadful feeling That has sent heart and soul reeling Insight to be found in what I feel Hurt but briefly our hearts steal Hurt but temporary, soon to heal - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Tuesday 28 March 2023

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on April 28, 2023

'HURT' IS SOMETHING ONE CAN ONLY RELATE TO, IF THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED IT...AND I AM SURE THAT APPLIES TO US ALL. YOU'VE DESCRIBED IT WELL AND YOUR LAST LINE...IS THE WINNER. FOR, IT DOES HEAL, IF... WE ALLOW IT TO. THANKS JOHN. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Mystic Rose

Reviewed on April 25, 2023

We have all felt hurt and pain at some point or other in our lies John. You express it so well, we are human therefore we feel, having said that, we are resilient when it comes to the heart, thank you for sharing this, well done.

Reviewed by Jane Noponen Perinacci

Reading this again, I relive a "hurt" that you describe so well, John. The best way I can describe the "hurt" you write of is like a kick in the solar plexus. Thank goodness it is "temporary". Write on, my dear friend!

Love ya!

Jane

Reviewed by Richard Cederberg

Something every one of us has experienced, John. Well written with excellent nuances. Thank God that "it's strength begins to simmer down" over time. Speaking for myself: there is much to learn in the process. Perhaps what hurts us initially is what eventually heals us. Well done. Peace.... rlc

Reviewed by Elisabeth Barstowe

Reviewed on April 24, 2023

Something we all can relate to. Well done!

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Once again, in your poetry, you have a tendency to wring every last nuance of a subject. And the subject, hurt, particularly, seems to have affected you greatly from the words you have shared with us.

A great portion of all mental conditions in our society are caused among the young. We are born with innocence and curiosity. When that innocence and curiosity are abused, we can be hurt. More often than not, it isn't tragedy that hurts us, it's uncaring other people. When we bully others or treat them badly, later in life they may pick up an AR-15 and decide to kill people who have offended them.

Let's all use more carrot and less stick. Moore empathy and less judgment. Sometimes, strict parenthood is really abuse. Just like no parenthood.

Ron

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

Yes... the many versions of "hurt" are imposed on the populace each day, some innocently from others, yet the majority laid on us with a purpose in mind: to hurt. Your poem should remind all readers: if you don't have something positive to say, say nothing. This is a good motto for most situations. Valid criticism based on truth not opinion is what we should not only accept, but embrace. How else might we grow past the weakness someone has noted, hopefully with kindness in the revealing?