-- Opposites at the Heart of Things --

by John Herlihy

Why is it – at the heart of things – lies the opposite?

Why is it – at the edge of things, lies a prerequisite?

Within the heart of blue sky lies the darkness of night

Within the heart of darkness lies the dawn and its light.

Within the heart of having lies the urge of our longings;

Within the heart of lacking lies the urge of our yearnings.

Within the heart of the crowd lies the craving to be alone;

Within the heart of all sound we are toward silence prone.

At the heart of every mystery an unknown to be explored;

At the heart of everything unknown a miracle to be adored.

Love’s emotion so pure it remembers the heart of hatred;

Struggle so intense that inspires desire for feelings of peace.

Pathways lead into the heart of the forest profoundly deep;

Oceanic waves flow toward the shore as overhead skies weep.

Trails lead from the known world into the heart of the unknown;

Traces of our origins into the fabric of the natural world sewn.

The way of the world finds opposites at the heart of things;

The way of the spirit unites opposites at the heart of things.

- - - - - -

Copyright © John Herlihy

Friday 8 March 2024