-- List of Grievances --

by John Herlihy

We grieve, but where be the grievance,

We suffer our sorrows at great expense.

The greatest grief has no words to speak,

Whereas once proud, grief turns us meek.

A list of grievances, but very little grief,

A multitude of troubles but very little relief.

Heavy baggage that we always carry around,

No silence even in the absence of sound.

Our little joys mount as if we’ve been kissed,

Then float into the wind as if never missed.

Our grievances rear their ugly heads and linger,

Touching our sore points with a rough finger.

In our shallow lives, our grievances make waves,

The food of resentment that a hungry man craves.

Floating as detritus in the turgid river of our lives,

To land on an inner shore where grievance survives.

A list of grievances overshadows a world of light,

Turning the light of day into the darkness of night.

Let us replace grievance with the hope of miracle,

Climb out of the mire to reach a higher pinnacle.

Opportunities can our grievances surmount,

Our complaints cannot our opportunities count.

Strive and be patient with a patience beautiful,

Fulfill all our valiant efforts with a duty dutiful.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Sunday 30 June 2024