What We Rely On (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

What We Rely On
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Tuesday, March 16, 2021 Rated "G" by the Author.

Save

Today is my birthday, having achieved 76 blessed years. I wrote this poem recently and it seems to fit the sentiments of the day.

-- What We Rely On -- John Herlihy It is worth speculating, About what we rely on. It is worth reminiscing, To retrace lines drawn. We rely on ocean tide, Reshaping heart’s shore. To unite rather than divide, Filled with insight and more. We rely on seasonal change, The peace of winter’s snow. In summer surely so strange, If no summer warmth aglow. We rely on blessed spring rain, Resurrecting buds into bloom. Autumn leaves remember pain, As they gently fall into their tomb. We rely on phases of the moon, Waxing and waning in harmony. The shifting sands in desert dune, Ever whispering ghostly melody. We rely on the shadows of light, To recall the mercy of tree shade. We rely on the serenity of night, Moonlight illuminating the glade. We rely upon ourselves, alone, Ever striving, seeking, dreaming. As birds thru vast skies flown, In search of life and its meaning. We rely on God, so we are not alone, Ever striving, seeking, believing. During the gift of a full life, we roam, The road long, but the life as dreaming. - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Sunday 7 March 2021

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on April 4, 2021

IT'S NOT 'WHAT' WITH ME...IT'S 'WHO. WITHOUT SAYING, WE ALL, OF COURSE, RELY ON GOD TO CONTROL THOSE NATURAL PHENOMENONS IN EARTH, LAND, SKY AND SEA. BUT I ALSO RELY ON GOD FOR EVERYTHING ELSE, THAT IS, INCLUDING THE CARE OF ME! I'VE HAD THAT EGO-STROKING EXPERIENCE OF STRONG, SELF-RELIANT WOMAN AND IT WAS DISASTROUS. SO GLAD I LIVED LONG ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND...'HE' HOLDS ME IN HIS HAND, JUST LIKE HE DOES EVERYTHING ELSE AND HAS BECOME MY 'SALVATION' - MY LEANING POST, ENTIRELY! FINE WORK, THANK YOU. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on March 16, 2021

As usual, filled with more information than it seems that one person can have about the subject in hand.

But I feel, especially in this past year, that no matter how much you and I believe we are individualists who can thrive on our own (perhaps socially isolated), for our very sustenance we are very dependent upon lots of others we never see, talk to, or even know exist. This past year has given us some lessons on who those invisible people are that supply us with sustenancee that we take so much for granted until it is taken away.

Ron