Mirror of Reflection
By John Herlihy

Affection?
No question.
It’s infectious,
Like an infection,
Steals into the heart,
Soothes our imperfection,
To open us up,
To fervent inspection,
To give us something,
To offer direction.

Affection?
No question.
A form of protection
That opens the mind
To an awakening reflection.
In the words of John Donne:
“No man is an island,
Entire of itself.”
We have fields of emotion
That lead to loving devotion.

The heart was asked;
“What do you hold
That makes you so bold.”
The heart responded:
“Rivers of affection
That await detection.”
The heart was further asked:
“Whom do you represent
That you seem malcontent?”
The heart replied:
“The solitary human spirit
Lonely and discontent.”
The heart was again asked:
“What do you request,
In your time of need?”
The heart surveyed the field,
As if looking to be healed.
The heart sadly responded:
“A mirror of reflection
That offers no rejection.”