-- I Never Ask Questions --

by John Herlihy

I never ask inopportune questions,

But I often hear interesting replies.

All nature abounds with suggestions,

In faint echoes of whispers and cries.

Music drawn from random notes,

Heard amid the descent of falling leaves.

Tree roots entangled as twisted ropes,

A praying mantis stands on bended knees.

The lion's roar heard in the ocean waves,

The forlorn cry echoes of the distant loon.

A gurgling spring a path thru valleys paves,

A colorful songbird sings a soulful tune.

Honey bees signal their presence with a buzz,

A field cricket with incessant grinding annoys.

In the wind, the silent floating of dandelion fuzz,

The quacking ducks express their innocent joys.

The phantom wind kicking up the roadside dust,

A bird’s wing voicing the hush sound of breath.

The fading colors of twilight turn scarlet to rust,

Spring rains signal demise of winter unto death.

Sometimes we listen without hearing a thing,

Silence a question with a multitude of replies.

Amazing the replies that silence may bring,

Of wonder, of blessing, of mystery, of sighs.

Ancient songs sing verses of new melodies,

Resurrecting old tales with renewed hope.

New melodies singing the verses of old songs,

Arousing new sentiments never before spoke.

We hear things along the way to hearing them,

Strumming banjos and into harmonicas blowing.

We see things along the way to seeing them,

Muted breath of horses sleeping while standing.

Nature asks no questions and offers keen replies,

We should temper our senses to see and to listen.

We here on earth surrounded by wide-open skies,

Stars of night whisper sweet nothings that glisten.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Saturday 22 February 2025