-- WHIMS OF THE HEART --

John Herlihy

When comes the time to describe the human heart,

It seems we never hold back.

We draw upon a whole host of colorful adjectives,

Whether white, purple or black.

The heart the most trusted, most faithful, most vilified,

Our inmost symbol and human token.

We refer to the heart as corrupted, loving, or purified,

The one organ considered well-spoken.

Let us not forget to mention the beauty of the loving heart,

Whose outpouring of gifts remembered.

Let us not forget to mention the sadness of the broken heart,

Inconsolable sorrow surely tendered.

When we are thought of and offered any encouragement,

We consider it being heartened.

When we are full of emotion and noble sentiment,

We consider the heart softened.

Images of the cold heart inspire feelings of winter,

Its harsh season does seize.

Images of the warm heart inspire feelings of summer,

And its tender season of ease.

The heart the vital organ of the body pumping its blood,

Streaming thru veins and arteries in its springtime flood.

Whether it be tender, merciful, vengeful, innocent or pure,

The heart identifies who we truly are, life’s turmoil to endure.

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(c) John Herlihy 1 November 2021