Empty Places (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Empty Places
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Thursday, June 27, 2024 Rated "G" by the Author.

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-- Empty Places -- by John Herlihy Empty places lodged within the heart Silent places where we wish to depart Vacant places there waiting to be filled Soulful places whose mystery be stilled Empty places in the labyrinth of mind Dim places to inspire thoughts unkind Shallow places with decision undecided Unending arguments in a mind divided There be fire, but the flames spoke not There be corded rope all tied in a knot Premonitions on the edge to be feared Levels of sorrow and misery highly tiered We talk to ourselves, wish to make sense We feign honesty without any pretense No one listening to the heart-felt prayer No one listening in the abyss of despair Things written, as in the meaning of destiny Things asked, as in the meaning of mystery The moment awaited as church bells tolled The moment of truth as mysteries unfold The empty places between falling leaves The empty spaces in the heart that grieves Fear to wonder of the empty places filled We wonder how empty places be stilled The loneliness captured by an empty chair The solitude of a field into which we stare With the capacity to fill all the empty places May we replace them with life’s subtle graces - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Saturday 18 May 2024

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on September 11, 2024

A-H-H-H, YES! WHAT A GREAT WORK, WITH ALL IT'S SUBSTANCE AND MEANING PULLED TOGETHER AND NEATLY TIED....IN THE LAST TWO LINES. FOR WITHOUT A DOUBT, IT IS HIS MERCY...HIS LOVE...'HIS GRACE' THAT FILLS ALL OUR EMPTY PLACES! THIS IS A KEEPER, JOHN, THANK YOU! LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Jane Noponen Perinacci

Reviewed on June 29, 2024

Your metaphors are tremendous in this poem, John!! You have captured the very essence of "loneliness". I am currently seeking a way to fill those lonely places in my heart and I'm deep into your words today! Thank you for them.

Love ya!

Jane

Reviewed by Diana Legun

Reviewed on June 28, 2024

Oh this is beautiful, John! Every line carries that grace about which you have written. It reads smoothly and naturally. It contains profound lines, i.e.: �The empty places between falling leaves� and �The loneliness captured by an empty chair� � who among us has not identified with that empty-chair loneliness? I also like �Soulful places where mystery be stilled.�. You have created unforced rhymes with this �Empty Places� and it unfolds like a rosebud�. Thank you ~~ djl

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

This poem has two clear implications: the beauty or peacefulness of empty places and the accompanying feeling of being totally alone and lonely. And as the poem continues, a reference to the emptiness caused by the mind fighting with itself.

From my unwritten, serendipitous, travels visiting places in off-season when I was often the only one there, wishing that I had someone with me to share the experience, I found them quite wonderful in their serenity when the crowds were not there.

Last night, I watched Alone? Two people tapped out because, although they both worked successful in gathering food� The most important element to their survival, they suddenly missed their families and had to leave. As someone who has lived alone most of my life, I don't understand this inability to be alone for the amount of time it takes, usually less than 100 days, to survive like our ancestors did, with 10 modern tools to help them.

Ron

Reviewed by Richard Cederberg

Reviewed on June 27, 2024

I don't see loneliness in an empty chair. I see the quiet strength of individualism reaching out for camaraderie. And 'grace' is a divine and unconditional gift from God. "For with You is the fountain of life. In your Light we see light." Psalm 36:9. Your thoughts create thoughts, John. It's your most prominent gift. Thank you for sharing. Peace. rlc

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

Yes... I think most everyone has some empty spaces. Perhaps as your last stanza suggests, "May we replace them with life's subtle graces," to go the other way is to play victim. Several good thinking points in this call to pay attention and fill the void.