-- Take Everything Away from Me --

John Herlihy

I will accept things offered to me,

As a gift freely given.

I will not accept things offered to me,

As a bribe never forgiven.

I will take what has been given to me,

A generosity most kind.

I wish not for a thing not given to me,

Banish it from my mind.

I preserve things important to me,

Hope, its abiding promise.

I take comfort in things valued by me,

Nature, its enduring solace.

The one challenge still left to me,

To probe life’s mystery.

The one promise still made to me,

My soul to live in eternity.

Things take their leave of me,

And I will nothing miss.

Take everything away from me,

But leave behind a sense of bliss.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Wednesday 12 October 2022