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John Herlihy

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Just For a Little
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Sunday, January 1, 2017    Rated "G" by the Author.
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Just for a Little
By John Herlihy

“When you are born,” the angel whispered,
“Your stay is just for a little while.
At first you are small, then you grow big,
Life will comprise many a tear and a smile.”

“I want to grow up quick,” the infant soul said.
“To make a name for myself that can stick.
“I don’t want to go all through my life,
To end up being forgotten in the afterlife.”

“You are endowed with free will,” the angel said.
“You make choices and live with consequences.
If you choose the good, you will be happier still;
Bad choices in time lead into a circle of offenses.”

“Sounds like a bit of wisdom,” the earth soul said.
“It makes sense that evil brings it own recompense.
I now pledge to pursue my life for the universal good;
I will do my best and help others, as I know I should.”

“Life is full of unexpected temptations,” the angel said.
“Leading you astray down the wrong pathway,
To become a person you no longer recognize.
If you lift the mask, you see a person you despise.”

“Sounds a little risky,” the earthling mumbled to himself.
But to the angel he said aloud: I’ll take my chances.
As long as I follow the straight path and keep straight,
I can surely find my way and adapt to circumstances.”

Before taking leave, the angel had one final comment:
“Oh yes, before I forget, life is short and you will die;
But don’t take this personally or too much to heart.
When you die, it’s just for a little, like life at the start."
  

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 Reviews of "Just For a Little"
Reviewed on January 2, 2017
"life is short and you will die......." Cut and dried. What a senseless thing is giving birth to a baby we know is going to start dying right out of the shute! It's a trap!LOL!!

Love ya!

Jane

Reviewed by Ronald Hull
Reviewed on January 2, 2017
We certainly do have little time in this world to make our mark. I have noticed lately that some people have created "bucket lists" and spend a lot of time checking them off. This usually happens rather late in life. But you and I have traveled a different route, taking on life with a gusto that didn't require apologies as we got older.

As I read your little angel and little child had some very grown-up things going on between them. ;-)

Ron

Reviewed by Michael Schafer
Reviewed on January 2, 2017
Fantastic write! The 5th stanza is the one that really stood out for me. Lifting that mask reveals the cold hard truth, and I think we all wear masks.

Reviewed on January 2, 2017
a wise talk about the beginning of learning; it doesn't matter how long or short your life is, the only criterion is how much you have learnt from it. At this, the straight and curve, good and evil -- all work for your experience. Cheers, alex

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton
Reviewed on January 2, 2017
"If you choose the good, you will be happier still;
Bad choices in time lead into a circle of offenses.”

Best two lines in this soul-searching piece of poetical writing . . .

Reviewed by Rebecca McKeehan
Reviewed on January 2, 2017
It's wonderfully strange how I was pondering something very similar about my own life when I went to bed last night. Then I wake up to this lovely poem. It is almost like an answer to a prayer. Thank you for writing it.

Rebecca

Reviewed by Mystic Rose
Reviewed on January 2, 2017
You take us to a place of reflection with your meaningful words. I will share this one with my family and friends dear poet. Thank you for sharing, may the angels smile upon you today and give you the pat in the back you deserve. Love x


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