-- Love Letter to the Universe --

By John Herlihy

Our beloved universe should not go unnoticed,

Pervading as it does the depths of outer space.

Floating stately on God’s celestial pond as a lotus,

Exuding its perfumes of mystery for the human race.

The time has come when someone must take notice,

From its vast reaches where the earth finds its place.

As such, I will now take a stand and make my protest,

Hoping the echo of my words will leave a faint trace.

Past the midnight hour, I simply gaze up and wonder,

An infinity of stars shining with luminosity to spare.

All my notions of earth’s importance now cast asunder,

With no horizon, no edge, no end to the vastness out there.

In my arrogance, I use the earth for my personal plunder,

When do I find time to offer the universe my little prayer.

As I gaze up into the heavens, I hear silence as thunder,

Would that I could speak humbly with the voice of a seer.

There is no doubt, the darkness of outer space exudes a chill;

In entering infinity’s orbit, I must my mind carefully prepare.

A loneliness never before experienced that produces a thrill.

As if seized by the throat, over the brink, toying with despair.

Universal truth will never give me up and will protect me still;

Whether eternity or infinity, we never question when or where.

With sacramental awe and yes, infinite patience, I wait until

Universal mystery reveals itself from endless depths out there.

We humans seek in earnest to unravel the mystery of time,

With technical instruments we probe time’s dawn as a bang.

It is answers we want, something to hold on to, yours and mine,

The universe a bud never to bloom, only its mystery sweetly sang.

We know our limitations as we gaze upon God’s celestial shrine,

As we go about our business on earth, bordering on the profane.

The universe will never unravel, God’s tightly-knotted cord of twine;

Dear God Almighty, the all-Knowing, I do invoke Your Sacred Name.

I whisper this sacred message with all the innocence of a bird,

My sincere intention always the mystery of the universe to proclaim.

We invoke You, we salute You, with humble words never before heard;

You are the One, the Only One, the truth of Unity is Thy middle name.

As I gaze in wonder on this solitary night, I pen this letter in truth conferred;

I am only a lone and solitary individual with no special claim to fame.

May this letter be an expression of love, from the heart I give You my word;

In response to the light You have bestowed, from your eternal, living flame.

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(c) John Herlihy 7 November 2018