-- Whatever Happened --

by John Herlihy

Whatever happened to the darkness,

When the night winds no longer chime?

Whatever happened to the mountains,

That we found so very difficult to climb?

Whatever happened to the dawn,

When daylight shone across the land?

Whatever happened to the dusk,

When night shows up as reprimand?

Whatever happened to the garden flowers,

That we didn’t care to take notice?

Whatever happened to the muddy waters,

That gave roots to the flowering lotus?

Whatever happened to the day,

When its daylight grew old?

Whatever happened to the sunset,

When the night grew young?

Whatever happened to the sun,

With all the storm clouds overhead?

Whatever happened to the moon,

When the heart of its light bled?

Whatever happened to the blue sky,

When the darkness of night fell?

Whatever happened to the orchid,

When its fragrance lost its spell?

Whatever happened to long-dead stars,

When their light reaches the earth?

Whatever happened to all the new stars,

Given new life since the time of their birth?

Whatever happened to all the suffering,

We thought we could no longer endure?

Whatever happened to all the happiness,

That we thought was eternal and pure?

Whatever happened to our courage,

Sinking like sand in an hourglass?

Whatever happened to our timidity,

Gathered like flower petals to amass?

Whatever happened to the glimmer of mirth,

Seen behind the lashes of the eyes?

Whatever happened to the fears,

Heard in the echoes of our cries?

Whatever happened to the thought,

That we can no longer call back?

Whatever happened to the memories,

That roam the mind ready to attack?

Whatever happened to feelings of desolation,

As if drifting away on an ice flow?

Whatever happened to our cries for help,

When no one is around that we know?

Whatever happened to the road,

When the journey comes to an end?

Whatever happened to our lives,

When we slip away beyond the bend?

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Saturday 16 March 2024