What Do Things Know (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

What Do Things Know
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Sunday, May 19, 2024 Rated "G" by the Author.

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-- What Do Things Know -- by John Herlihy Does our vision notice when the eye blinks? Does the smile care what the onlooker thinks? Is the night grateful for the mystery stars bestow? Does the darkness give thanks for the moon’s glow? Does the violin appreciate the beauty of its sound? Is silence ever aware of its impact most profound? Do autumn leaves feel the caress of wind and rejoice? Does the wind hear the sound of its plaintive voice? Do the notes value the melody of its rhythmic beauty? Does the night appreciate the depths of its mystery? Does a mountain feel proud of its snow-bedecked peak? Does the door hear the mournful sound as its hinges creak? Does the butterfly design the beauty of its strained-glass wings? Does the firefly turn on its lantern as the night cicada sings? Does the flower know that it blossoms perfume sweet? Does the heart feel the steady pacing of the heartbeat? Does the butterfly know that it fill us with delight? Does the day know that it it filled with blessed light? In doing what things do, they most certainly know. Doesn’t the wind know it uplifts the wings of a crow? - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Friday 12 April 2024

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on June 18, 2024

LIKE THIS STYLE, JOHN AND THE ANSWER IS....NOTHING! THOUGH EVERYTHING HAS AN EXPRESS PURPOSE AND DOES ITS JOB PERFECTLY, IT IS THE 'ONE' WHO 'CREATED AND CONTROLS' IT ALL...THAT KNOWS EVERYTHING! THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

Reviewed on May 24, 2024

An interesting array of questions about knowledge and understanding. As science progresses, we are learning more and more about life other than our species has communication means and truly begs the question: who or what will take science by surprise and reveal a sense of intelligence we yet haven't encountered?

Reviewed by Rebecca McKeehan

Reviewed on May 19, 2024

Philosophical questions, yes, but unlike Ron, my thoughts are more metaphysical than scientific. I believe we do Nature an injustice when we limit things to a human-not human perspective. Who is to say butterflies and the wind aren't self aware on some level? Many belief systems hold that all things have souls, including rocks, and how can we, with our own limits of understanding, say they don't?

Rebecca

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

The answer to all of those philosophical questions is simply, "No." Those are all impressions that are very human and are the grist of poetic expression. In this poem you have used those human nuances, those human question, to very good use.

Ron