-- Some Things --

John Herlihy

Some things are seen in the shadows,

Only to disappear in the harsh light.

Some things arrive as gifts with bows,

Only to be opened in the darkest night.

Some things wear the face of innocence,

Only to cloud over and then to betray.

Some things show no falsehood or pretense, 

Only to give their secrets and lies away.

Some things stir our hearts with lasting hope,

Only to vanish like the mist in the sunlight.

Some things darken our hearts with their despair,

Only to turn the bright day into a dark night.

Any little happiness that arrives can be brief,

Only to be blown away by shifting sands.

A promise when once broken brings little relief,

Only to be swept away into forgotten lands

Some things are fragile and are easily broken,

Only to warn our hearts of what may come.

Some things die, never again to be woken,

Only to see the sun has set with the day done.

Be careful not to be bewitched by some things,

Whatever comes in life an impermanence brings.

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(c) John Herlihy 11 June 2019