-- The Futility of Bitterness --

By John Herlihy

We savor the enchanting pleasure of sweetness,

Sinking in the depths of the ocean of our tongue.

We are repulsed by the sharp sting of bitterness,

And the sourness that from our hearts is wrung.

The light of sweetness will brighten a dark cave,

What hardship a little sweetness helps to endure.

Darkness of bitterness as a crashing ocean wave,

Sweetness cleanses pure, the bitterness impure.

Bitter is bitter, as they say, and sweet is sweet,

Much wisdom resides in this oft-quoted refrain.

An assault of bitterness sweetness never to meet,

As different as different could be, split in twain.

Disappointment and failure often take a toll,

Giving rise to a bitterness difficult to bear.

Sourness seeps into the surface of the soul,

Into a shadowy darkness bereft of all prayer.

 A fox in the smile, bitter poison in the tear,

Harsh disappointment has no benefit to reap.

The cruelty of the world gives pause to fear,

A galling unkindness into our hearts to seep.

The bitterness of poverty rare sweetness brings,

Knowledge that a richness can still live within.

Poverty bears sourness but inner wealth sings,

To live in a community where love wears a grin.

Nurturing of our bitterness leads to futility,

The harboring of negativity inviting despair.

Nurturing of sweetness leads to mystery,

Found in the depths of a peach or a pear.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Saturday 29 April 2023