-- The Grief in Longing–

John Herlihy

Longing a desire born in turmoil,

A change of heart in what has been.

Seeking a pathway life to disembroil,

A new journey, a new time, but when.

Longing for other, longing to be free,

An escape of the chains we be bound.

New direction in the course of destiny,

A way out of ocean depths to be found.

Longing as expression of profound grief,

Sorrow that feels the pull of a taut string.

A longing ever present that finds no relief,

A sad vision that can only heartache bring.

Storm clouds gather, the sea rises starker,

A final escape washed away with the tide.

Cresting waves mount, the sky turns darker,

From the reality of life we can never hide.

Wherever one goes, longing always longing,

Whatever pathway, still ours that we take.

True home lies within, a sense of belonging,

Not phantom desires that we try to create.

The grief of longing lies in unfulfilled desire,

Expectation never found in the wrong thing.

Acceptance of fate a worthy goal to aspire,

Winter death finds life in the coming spring.

Immortal desires more stranger than friend,

We come face to face, then we pass them by.

The secret: let the stranger become a friend,

Let our longing be divine light when we die.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Wednesday 6 April 2022