-- A Strange Love --

John Herlihy

The day seemed dark and cloudy and forlorn,

Lost in the wilderness of a growing snowstorm.

Everything goes about its business without concern,

Why should anyone help another is what we learn.

No need to worry, the world goes its merry way,

The passing parade of cruel moments has its say.

The day filled with long dreary stretches of time,

Playing cards, drinking whiskey, no ray of sunshine.

We are all strangers, even when we be friends,

Locked in the human condition, waiting for ends.

Just happy to breathe, to eat the bread of heaven,

Do what needs to be done, live among our brethren.

Our saving grace lies in our capacity for true love,

A strange love for sure when push comes to shove.

Like fumbling in the darkness to reach for a lamp,

A light in the eye of another settles like a stamp.

A dug-up treasure, a form of rescue, there beckoning,

The light of an eye touching, another light answering.

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(c) John Herlihy 14 December 2019