-- Glimpse into the Soul --

by John Herlihy

The poet finds the words,

Images of beauty he stole.

Whispers of arcane birds,

A glimpse within the soul.

All the sadness, the mystery,

All the happiness, the bliss.

On a scroll, unfolding fantasy,

Each word a benevolent kiss.

The poet lifts a gossamer veil,

Breath, beauty, bliss to reveal.

The truth as wind in life’s sail,

Harmonies of an organ peal.

Ideas as petals of a lotus pure,

The silence of a panther paw.

Seeing things closely to be sure,

Precisely what the poet saw.

Out of the darkness, a sound,

Inside the darkness, candlelight.

Dim stars fall upon the ground,

As moonglow shimmers bright.

Does God exist, the poet asks,

Answer: the darkness must die.

With his pen in hand, he persists,

As a poem descends from the sky.

When God tells us what to do,

We cannot for a moment hesitate.

To draw wisdom in what we knew,

To feel God’s grace, we supplicate.

Finally, the poet lays down the pen,

The mystic reverie draws to a close.

Poem as blossom on the tip of a stem,

Silently nodding as gentle wind blows.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Friday 1 March 2024