Reading the Signs (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Reading the Signs
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Sunday, July 28, 2024 Rated "G" by the Author.

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-- Reading the Signs -- by John Herlihy Why are we so negligent in properly reading the signs, Revealing an invisible world that the visible world aligns. The sun rises and sets and in so doing finds its own way, Darkness overtakes the day as the night comes into play. True we live the days of our lives surrounded by mystery, Also true , we live our lives surrounded by incredible beauty. There within the very heart of nature, betwixt and between, Lies the secret to all the mysteries that life can ever mean. The warm breath of summer, the harsh wind of winter cold, The seasons offer a variety of riches of any story ever told. The birthing quality of spring rains, the color of autumn leaves, Stillness in the darkness of midnight, comfort of a gentle breeze. Within the heart of nature beats the heart of the Painter, To apply colors to the natural world by a sacred anointer. Scarlet red to the sunset, pale pink to first light of dawn, The sky lighted with indigo blues, earth the color of fawn. Leaves of autumnal yellow/orange laid to rest by breeze, In winter, skeletal, naked trees humbled on their knees. The silent tolling of summer blue bells ringing with ease, An Indian summer keeping autumn chill at bay as a tease. The list of nature’s artifacts goes on, but who’s counting, Only the signs of nature as a book to be read amounting. Let us look page by page at the miracle of nature on offer, Here to the horizon and beyond, all in the divine coffer. - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Sunday 16 June 2024

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on September 11, 2024

INDEED...ALL NATURE DRAWS US AND SPEAKS TO US. HOWEVER, ONE MUST BE AWARE OF THEIR SURROUNDINGS TO APPRECIATE AND BECOME ATUNED TO IT...IN ORDER TO READ THE GIFT OF THE SIGNS IT SPREADS BEFORE US. A WONDERFUL WORK TO THE BEAUTY OF NATURE, SO ENJOYED. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Diana Legun

Reviewed on August 2, 2024

You chose a splendid watercolor for this piece, John. As with many of Odin�s illustrations/images that accompany his writing, here I also wonder which came first � the painting or the poem. Either way it shines with your appreciation. My favorite line is: �In winter, skeletal, naked trees humbled on their knees.� That is exactly how I feel about the stick-bare deciduous. Enjoyed this ~~~ djl

Reviewed by Richard Cederberg

Reviewed on August 1, 2024

A beautifully Zen watercolor. Wonderful choice. It would make a great tapestry, IMO. You're fourth strophe is a good celebration of the artist. Every day is a mystery - indeed it is, John. I sense a spirit of thankfulness in this piece. As far as signs are concerned: all the prophetic signs now are pointing towards the Gog Magog war, and Daniel's 70th Week. It's truly uncanny. Enjoyed this. Spoke to me. Peace. r

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on July 29, 2024

Very appropriate for modern times. In the not-too-distant past, every human picked up on the signs of nature and respondent in kind. Our mere survival depended upon it. We are so adaptable with our technology that we now have turned night into day work and rest to scheduled periods and lost sight of all the signs.

Right now the birds and insects are telling us something wrong. They are adapting the best they can within their niches. We don't seem to be reading those signs. I think we are on the wrong path as Robert Heilbrenner wrote over 50 years ago. Not even looking up to see the signs where we are going.

Ron

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

These subtle and often overlooked signs are an interesting subject. Of special interest was the way you suggested the seasonal signs and then evolved into the "painter." Taking it further, I found I was thinking about the way nature can motivate the composer, the writer, the dancer, et al. Nice work.