-- The Mechanics of the Ordinary --

By John Herlihy

As much as we love to wonder at the extraordinary,

What keeps us going but the mechanics of the ordinary.

The rising and setting of the sun each and every day,

Dandelions pushing up between the crack on the way.

Breathing in the deep drafts of the day’s fresh air,

Strolling through the autumn leaves without a care.

The white breaths of winter, pigeons on overhead wire,

After dinner with a book, then falling asleep by the fire.

What a relief to have breakfast then go out on the road,

Driving in the countryside, no stress and its heavy load.

Much as we love a passing butterfly or sight of a rainbow,

The regularity feels right and not what we don’t know.

Thunder and lightning as shock and awe with rare power,

A beating heart, a ticking clock that marks the passing hour.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Saturday July 1 2023