Everything Fades Away (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Everything Fades Away
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Monday, June 15, 2026 Rated "G" by the Author.

Save

Follow Share on Facebook



Everything Fades Away by John Herlihy Everything in the world fades away Just fades away, oh so far far away The dawn fades away into the day The day fades away into the dusk The dusk fades away into the night The night fades back into the day Everything in the world fades away Just fades away, oh so far far away The summer fades away into the fall The fall fades away into the winter The winter fades away into the spring The spring fades away into the summer Everything in the world fades away Just fades away, oh so far far away The infant fades away in the child The child fades away into the adolescent The adolescent fades away into maturity Maturity fades away into senility Everything in the world fades away Just fades away, oh so far far away Life fades away with the final breath Final breath fades away into death Death fades away into new life Soul, the spirit, never fades away - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Thursday 18 December 2025

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on July 11, 2026

INDEED...EVERYTHING FADES AWAY BUT THE SOUL GOES BACK TO ITS MAKER...AND NEVER EVER FADES AWAY! I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I WILL BE MORE THAN PLEASED TO GET RID OF THE SHACKLES OF THIS BODY...IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AMEN! JOHN...JUST TO LET YOU KNOW...I SENT ONE MESSAGE ABOUT THE TITLE AND BECAUSE IT DIDN'T SEEM TO GO THROUGH SENT ANOTHER. SO...YOU HAVE TWO MESSAGES ABOUT THE TITLE (-: LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on June 18, 2026

An interesting concept, fading, explored in a fashion you tend to use in your poetry.

Someone working logically might challenge the idea of a child fading while growing into the various phases of human life. And not all humans become senile before their death.

Finally, even though the famous line says�"Old soldiers never die, they just fade away." I believe, referring to Douglas MacArthur, I wouldn't call death fading, because it is usually abrupt and permanent.

The spirit is a promise or hope that is gradually fading away as proof of its existence after death becomes less and less probable with time. Your legacy is far more durable. Count on that over your spirit.

Ron

Reviewed by Rebecca McKeehan

Reviewed on June 15, 2026

So true And you are especially right about the soul and spirit never fading away. The essence of us will live on.

Rebecca

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

Interesting words "fades away." I often think of the citings you use in this insightful poem, and sometimes I catch myself exchanging the word "fade" to drift or transits, et al. Fading does happen but does it dissapiear or merely float away into another dimension of thought and, yes, even science. Might there be no ending to anything, or furloughs and rest stops, all of existence at one time or another migrates. Loved this thought provoking meditation of the unusual nature of... fading.

Reviewed by Richard Cederberg

There is some philosophical tension between the inevitability of times passage, and the human longing to hold onto beauty, meaning, and connection. Your poem is somber but truthful, and seems applicable to everything in God's creation. Well expressed John. Thank you for sharing. rlc