Lay This Body Down (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Lay This Body Down
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Sunday, August 20, 2023 Rated "G" by the Author.

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-- Lay This Body Down -- By John Herlihy One warm autumn night, I did lay this body down. The moment feels right, Content, no smile or frown. Lazy stars fill in a darkened sky, The night air but a warm breeze. An old voice to whisper and sigh, Roaming the nearby hills with ease. Thoughts stir as I begin to reflect, Embraced by moonlight, the North Star. In the mystery of the night, I genuflect, The body lies still, the mind roams far. The silence of night broken by birds, Sharing secrets flying thru the night. In a language unknown, archaic words, Descent of a sickle moon in plain sight. All my life but a mystery, Still I continue to move on. Cobblestoned road of destiny, God’s mercy I do depend upon. A clock ticks in the background, The hour but minutes and seconds. The room dark, I am safe and sound, The absolute hour only God reckons. The twilight sun all yellow ablazing, The tree limbs in silhouette yearning. Darkening night defined by light amazing, The heart of the horizon now burning. I see the sun door soon to open, Behind which lies the unknown. To learn what death may betoken, The answer to our question sewn. After a lifetime of seeking an answer, Now what do I have but a question. In the night, a yellow-eyed panther, Ever roaming in the night’s reflection. Dark always dark, night like none other, This moment, this place, here to hold. Eternity, infinity as brother to brother, Whispering intimacies, heard never told. We strive all our lives to find another, Ever seeking, ever yearning to know. What remains but love in the Other, Divine love into our hearts to bestow. And so the dark night lies in quietude, Falling into thoughtlessness, like a stone. This hallowed sanctuary the final solitude, Once we arrived, later we depart, alone. - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Saturday 15 July 2023

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on August 28, 2023

WHEN AT PEACE WITH THE WORLD, A SURRENDERING UNFURLS, LAYING CLAIM TO EARNED REST, WITHOUT ARGUEMENT OR JEST. AMEN. SUCH A 'SATE WORK' OF...CALM AND CONTENT. THROUGHLY ENJOYED. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Poets Soul

Reviewed on August 21, 2023

There is a quietness and peacefulness in this poem. I do believe you found perfection.

PS

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Your poem is very deep and rewarding in a way. At first, I thought it was two different poems, but as I neared the end I realized that you were equating going to sleep on the beautiful warm night to the final rest we all will eventually go to.

Lately I've been sleeping deeper and longer before I need to be turned. I find that very good because it is very good for my caregivers who have to wake up many times and help me get comfortable again enough to go back to sleep. Although I find my body nearly rigid after 3 hours of sleep without turning, it's rewarding to be warm and comfortable like your poem suggests in the beginning. If only to be like I remember many times I slept out under the stars with whatever weather that time of year gave me. The fresh air and smells were far better than in my darkened room with air conditioning keeping the oppressive heat away--thank goodness!

Ron

Reviewed by Mystic Rose

Reviewed on August 20, 2023

I jus t finished reading this on facebook, amazing talent you have there John :)

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

Believing as I do that there is a divine essence each of us house within, this calm and exploratory venture into several types and phases of darkness did for this reader give energy to the inner me that gives thanks for the message of your poem. Of particular note were the spot-on choices you made in the visualization, reminding us that regardless of our spiritual beliefs, there are many supporters to any and all of our convictions through Nature and the many reminders that creation has given us is there for the taking. We're different, but do not possess superior spiritual prominance, save one of our differences being sentientcy. In fact, making the message of this poem all the more poignent, is that we are a species that seems to be drawing back to primitive mind sets more each generation. To align with the various options as you've outlined is a benefit to those of us who want to get over ourselves and give more credit to all creation. Stimulating write, John.