-- To Live a Life True --
John Herlihy
As a dragon riding on the wind I take flight,
As eagles and wolves guided by moonlight,
As flying fish skimming the crest of waves,
A bird’s wing from heaven’s height waves.
To fly free above the fray and never to land,
Embrace the world with an extended hand,
With one aspiration the entire world unites,
This vision beyond the horizon in our sights.
Mysterious as a forest, as firm as a mountain,
Beautiful as a flower, as flowing as a fountain,
Powerful as flooding water, as fierce as fire,
Nagging as our doubt, as compelling as desire.
Suddenly a lyrical flute sounds in the distance,
A compelling message echoing in persistence.
Its melody stirring the heart with its promise.
The simple instrument fills the air with solace.
We know little but that time is of the essence,
Appearing and disappearing, with no pretense.
Compelling lullabies heard in beating of wings,
In soothing rhythms. the billowing wind sings.
Even weak blades of grass can be made stronger,
If woven together, nothing they cannot ponder.
An isolated tree will never a serene forest make,
When working as one, trees sheer majesty create.
Rippling, clear waters flow down the riverbed,
A timid deer in an emerald forest skittishly fled.
Those birds migrating south return to their nest,
A turtle walking along a road in its eternal quest.
Humanity emulates animals who live a life true .
The bees gather honey as robins overhead flew.
Like the loon, a fisherman sings his evening tune,
Whistling as his accompaniment an ancient rune.
Where there is faith, there is hope, never despair,
In solitude and silence, one offers humble prayer.
The world my cathedral, the body my outer shell.
The journey I boldly make my true destiny will tell.
What use command of armies, yet have no friend,
No one to understand your story, beginning to end.
I will carve my poetic verses on the face of a cliff,
Seeking truths in simple words the heart to uplift.
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Copyright ©John Herlihy
Monday 16 January 2023
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As one who has read your travel adventures, I see where all of these references come from. Why does our world need war when there's so much history and beauty to work together to preserve and enjoy? Wishing everyone a life as full as yours.
Ron