Youth a Cruel Gift (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Youth a Cruel Gift
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Thursday, July 20, 2023 Rated "G" by the Author.

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-- Youth a Cruel Gift -- By John Herlihy Youth is but a cruel gift, Like unexpected snow in April. Breathtaking, hearts to uplift, Sun’s warmth will its beauty steal. Just one season for youth to defend, Enjoy its innocence before it expires. As youthful as youth can pretend, Fresh beginnings everyone admires. You know only the present, In the future, youth already past. For centuries, this moment present, A flame on a wick, burning fast. Youth is a world of its own, It enjoys a godly license. We think it forever to own, As we have possessed it once. I am not young any more, No longer handsome, youthful. No longer innocence in my store, In old age wisdom plentiful. Old age a kindly gift, Like Indian summer’s reprieve. Our aging hearts to uplift, No further need to deceive. Knowledge now wisdom deserved, With the white beard of a sage. The bloom of youth preserved, Dried flower in the book of old age. - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Friday 16 June 2023

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on August 27, 2023

IT'S A PARADOX. NO MATTER HOW CRUEL OUR YOUTHFUL DAYS MAY APPEAR TO BE...ONE CANNOT REACH THE PLEASURES OF THE RIPE OLD AGE OF WISDOM WITHOUT HAVING GONE THROUGH...THIS CRUELTY. GREAT! LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on July 22, 2023

A welcome change in your subject matter. But I don't understand the idea of youth being "cruel."

Ron

Reviewed by Diana Legun

Reviewed on July 21, 2023

I agree with Odin about that last line. What a finish to a scroll through a lifetime. I also appreciate the line �As youthful as youth can pretend,� � that one captures imagination of fresh life. And the line �No further need to deceive,� holds within it the peace of �letting go� {of whatever and wherewithall.} But �that last line� John�.what a ringer! ~~ djl

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

Reviewed on July 20, 2023

Love that last line in a poem that poetically ushers us through facets of youthful existence many never take the time to focus on. Like so many other truisms of 3, youth, middle age and old age create a perfection that when thought about, and reflected on enough, definitely provides perfection of evolvement. Thank you for this arresting piece.