-- Wisdom in Facts --

John Herlihy

At the facts we only stare,

Wisdom tantalizingly there.

Mere facts the mind beseech,

Wisdom is beyond our reach.

With the facts, we do comply,

On wisdom’s insight we rely.

Facts, one by one discovered,

Wisdom, by facts smothered.

For the plain facts, we inquire,

Wisdom does the mind inspire.

Facts readily answer a question,

Wisdom responds by suggestion.

On the outside, facts a shell,

Informing us what senses tell.

The shell can wisdom conceal,

Open the shell wisdom to reveal.

Facts displayed with witty words,

Wisdom heard in voices of birds.

Facts are found in the day’s light,

Wisdom in the glow of moonlight.

Facts lay down and pave the road,

Wisdom leads us down the road.

The heart of facts on the tongue,

Wisdom’s tongue is in the heart.

Facts will knowledge christen,

The wise will to silence listen.

If the shell of facts lies broken,

Wisdom escapes into the open.

The facts are better at offense,

Wisdom is better at defense.

Facts will wait for tomorrow,

In wisdom lies much sorrow.

All is lost wisdom to despise,

Nothing is lost in being wise.

Facts gather a heavy weight,

Wisdom flies to heaven’s gate.

Knowledge a science of mind,

Worldly facts found combined.

Wisdom a science of the soul,

Gathering the facts as a whole.

The facts of wisdom be visible,

The wisdom of facts invisible.

Facts thrive in the here below,

Wisdom will blessings bestow.

Facts proud of having learned,

Wisdom humble in what earned.

Facts journey around the bend,

Wisdom found in journey’s end.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Sunday 22 January 2023