The Sin of Certainty

by John Herlihy

The sin of certainty precludes all doubt,

Pretending to know what life is all about.
Certainty as king sitting nobly on a throne,

Untouchable and unassailable, a stand-alone.

Some things in life beyond understanding,

To draw nigh to meaning, briefly, fleetingly.

The mystery of life as dark face in the night,

The dawn finally rises when all will be right.

The one cardinal sin that I do fear above all,

The lure of certainty that holds us in thrall.

Can we co-exist with nature’s certainties,

As we make our way thru nature’s mysteries.

Our faith in God expressed as a living thing,

Because it walks hand in hand with doubt.

If there was no doubt and only certainty,

Then life would be bereft of any mystery.

No further need of doubt and mystery,

And therefore no further need for faith.

Beware the person who claims certainty,

A price will be paid in abandoning mystery.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Friday 25`April 2025