MIRROR POEMS

-- Crying --

John Herlihy

Where from this crying,

Nothing short of baffling.

So sorrowful, so morose,

Nothing else is so close.

Each time, such sorrow,

No feeling for tomorrow.

Spontaneous, always pitiful,

True crying never beautiful.

A will of its own, running free,

Impossible to stop, inside me.

We know where it comes from,

We don’t know where it goes.

Even when done, crying still,

Sorrow the well where we fell.

-- Laughing --

John Herlihy

Where from this laughing,

Nothing short of baffling.

Can be so wicked and wild,

Swett bell laughter of a child.

At times, unsure, tentative,

Other times, wistful, plaintive.

Spontaneous, never dutiful,

Simple laughter often beautiful.

Often a struggle, out of control,

How to stop this mirth you stole.

Where is it from, where it goes,

Its destination no one knows.

Even when done, laughing still,

Laughter a well we gladly fill.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Sunday 9 May 2020