When Death Knocks on My Door (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

When Death Knocks on My Door
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 Rated "G" by the Author.

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When Death Knocks on My Door John Herlihy What will be my gift When death knocks on my door An interesting question Requiring a worthy answer No doubt, we strive for happiness and success Well-being and fortune during a long lifetime These are vain and personal aspirations That will not meet the moment of death With the dignity that death requires More suitable would be such gifts as The innocence of childhood The nobility of old age The effort of good work The fulfillment of one’s vocation, The charity of a smile The faithfulness of a promise well kept The passage of time respected, never wasted The loyalty of friendship The intensity of love. Placed within a box Where nothing is amiss Everything in its rightful place May my life be wrapped In ribbons of honesty and truthfulness When death knocks on my door As a gift of gratitude to God And as the ultimate surrender To the one, true Reality. - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Tuesday 25 March 2025

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on October 29, 2025

DEAR JOHN...WHEN THE END OF MY TIME ON THIS PLANE ARRIVES I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT 'MY GIFT' WILL BE TO OUR CREATOR. I LEAVE THIS ENTIRELY UP TO HIM, AS...OUT OF THIS PARTICULAR MASS OF HUMANITY(ME)...IT IS MY PRAYER THAT HE WILL FIND...SOMETHING...WHICH HE CONSIDERS TO HAVE BEEN MY ARDENT EFFORT OF 'TRYING'(I TRY..HE DECIDES) TO LIGHT A CANDLE FOR HIM. FOR, I AM REMINDED; ONLY WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR HIM...WILL COUNT. THANKS MY FRIEND. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on August 6, 2025

I'm just trying to get rid of the trash. And what isn't trash, make sure that it goes to the right people. It's a job that's not over easily, but when death knocks, I'm already ready. Even with the full job undone.

Ron