Inner Strength (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Inner Strength
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Sunday, December 18, 2022 Rated "G" by the Author.

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-- Inner Strength – John Herlihy In our bodies lies the strength of carnal pleasure, Exploring our bodies in the spirit of adventure. In our two hands lies the strength of practicality, To build new-found worlds with probing curiosity. In our fingers lies the strength of intimate caress, The breath of touch leads to intimacy, nothing less. In our ears lies the strength of resonant sound, Uplifting our spirit with lilting harmonies profound. In our eyes lies the strength of clear vision, To see the unseen with accuracy and precision. In our intuition lies the strength of knowledge, Letting go, setting free, to discover wisdom’s pledge. In our minds like the strength of insight, To pursue our pleasures and interests with delight. In our imagination lies the strength to wander, To imagine and to hope, to dream and to ponder. In our hearts like the strength of pure emotion, To gaze into the heart of mystery with devotion. In our personalities lies the strength of identity To create a worthwhile life with a lasting legacy In our conscience lies the strength of the night, The power of our convictions born of shadowy light. In our soul lies the strength of the dawn and twilight, The delicacy of shadows illuminated by starlight. In first love lies the strength of our first kiss, True love a bloom that unfolds petals of bliss. In universal truth lies the strength never to lie, The body passes on, but the soul will never die. In our humanity lies the strength of inner strength, With no limits, no boundaries, no measured length. These are the strengths that help us in life to endure, These the blessings that make our weaknesses pure. - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Thursday 17 November 2022

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on January 9, 2023

'HIS STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN OUR WEAKNESS..FOR WHEN WE ARE WEAK THEN ARE WE STRONG'. HALLELUJAH!!!! AHHH, MY FRIEND, THANK YOU! LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

Reviewed on December 18, 2022

For me, the last line encapsulates the entire poem, as paradoxically, all strengths must understand weaknesses in order to know strength is present and being called upon. Like one can't know black without knowing white. Yes, one could say strength has many carnal values, but it is also of the ethereal mode, transcending that which we have outward sensorial understanding of. That inner strength expressed and understood often by wordless language is the fulcrum of balance we need to call upon more often in order to, as you say, "...make our weaknesses pure." Rich and persuasive thoughts here, John. Thank you for posting.

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

I love the way you brought in carnal knowledge through the lips and fingers that touch with trepidation until accepted wholeheartedly as we were meant to do in order to perpetuate our kind, regardless of the outcome, good or bad. But our relationship rely on how well our minds bind, rather than the rush of emotion that is normal and sexual, without shame.

I love the poem's honesty except for honoring our weaknesses in the last line. We should recognize our weaknesses and change them to strengths, not give them favor.

Ron

Reviewed by Richard Cederberg

And those weaknesses certainly become more evident as we age. Faith, though, gives us an inner durability, and a sense of balance and perspective. A fine write, John, sated with the writer's unique vigor. Peace.

Reviewed by La Belle Rouge Poetess Of The Heart

John, this is not only beautiful but it's profound. I want to read this again and again. It gives such insight into the power or our humanity.