First and Last Day (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

First and Last Day
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 Rated "G" by the Author.

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-- The First and Last Day -- By John Herlihy Live every day as the first, And all that comes between. Live every day as the last, To know what they all mean. The days all come and go, Each one lived as the first. The days all that we know, Adding up to the very last. The days fleeting and brief, Yet each one held in cameo. Days filled with trust, belief, As lilting notes of a piano. I awaken to the first day, Eyes in the light of wonder. I awaken to the last day, Ears echo sounds of thunder. I lay myself down to sleep, Having lived the first day. I lay myself down to sleep, Having completed the last day. I lived through my first day, As my heart gently beats. I lived through my last day, Ready my sovereign to meet. I have lived every day as the first, In the new dawn, the song of a lark. I have lived every day as the last, In an old dawn, a requiem, hark. When the last day finally done, As wind blows thru the clover. The last stitch of tapestry spun, Our time on earth finally over. - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Wednesday 27 September 2023

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on December 10, 2023

WHAT FINE MARVELOUS WORDS OF WISDOM! INDEED, EACH DAY IS A NEW BEGINNING...A FIRST DAY. EACH DAYS CLOSE IS AN ENDING...A LAST DAY. FOR, WHO KNOWS IF WE WILL LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER? THUS, WE SHOULD LIVE EACH DAY... AS IF IT IS OUR FIRST AND LAST DAY! GREAT WORK, THANKS JOHN. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Sandie May Joyce (Sandie Angel)

Reviewed on November 1, 2023

We just have to live every day to the fullest, no matter how old we are. Our tomorrow is not guaranteed. Just take a look at the countries at war, anything can happen overnight.

I am happy to wake up every morning to a brand new day.

Sandie

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

A theme you often refer to twice: writing of opposites and the passing of time.

I think that you might do better by focusing on these concepts but not trying to come up with so many parallel verses. But you are probably much more educated in poetry than I. Still, I've found poetry that matters generally has only one line or one set of lines that really matters.

Ron

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

You've written a prescription for good health or improved health. As your poem illustrates, what the mind thinks makes the biology of man either closer to healthy or closer to death. Depression and the bi-polar numbers in the US are illustratively visible wherever we turn. Unfortunately, too few people allow themselves to thin as you poem suggests. Thanks for posting.