-- In the Ocean of Need --

by John Herlihy

What is a drop in the ocean of need

What silence heard in voices that plead

What of the vast ocean in a child’s tear

What of the cutting edge in a blunt spear

Curse the day suffering and war be born

Curse the evil impulses from hearts torn

Cry out No in the raw voice of protest

Cry out Yes for the need to be blessed

Open the gates for the food that is barred

Open hearts for the needs of the starved

To find proportion in the disproportionate

To find order in such chaos inordinate

Where is sanity in a world of the insane

Where does fault lie in the desire to blame

Where the hope in a world full of despair

Where the relief that comes from prayer

Behold the horror in a world full of misery

Behold misery in a world bereft of mercy

Do unto ourselves as we do unto others

To consider ourselves sisters and brothers

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Saturday 21 October 2023