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John Herlihy

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What Is
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Thursday, September 25, 2025    Rated "G" by the Author.
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Poem Artwork

 

What Is

by John Herlihy

 

What is life

But a book of turning pages

What is history

But a record for the ages

What is time

But an arrow on its course

What is memory

But a venue for remorse

What is failure

But a recipe for despair

What is kindness

But a way to show you care

What is character

But an expression of culture

What is a person

But wood carved into sculpture

What is the future

But a shapeless mold

What is the past

But a story already told

- - - - -

Copyright © John Herlihy

Friday 30 May 2025

 


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 Reviews of "What Is"
Reviewed by Jms Bell
Reviewed on October 30, 2025
DONE WELL, JOHN, FOR...WHAT IS...'WHAT IS', ANYWAY? ENJOYED. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Ronald Hull
Reviewed on September 27, 2025
I really liked this capturing of "What is?"

The only one that didn't seem to fit was…

"What is a person
But wood carved into sculpture."

Ron

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com
Reviewed on September 25, 2025
A wise and insightful look at common metaphors to express the layers of pages constantly turning. This kind of reminder is excellent fodder for the weapons of defense... several of which I just outlined in my latest posting. Well done, John. Thank you for posting.

Reviewed by Diana Legun
Reviewed on September 25, 2025
Life on the exam table and your stethoscope is listening, John. I like how this one gives me the feel of a child asking questions and the rare simplicity of the wise answer. These first two lines draw me in, enhanced by first seeing the corresponding image of “…a book of turning pages” — you curated the contents to a fine shadowbox of truths. ~~ djl


New Poetry by John Herlihy
Popular Poetry (Poetry)
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  2.  Finding Trust Again
  3.  Nightsky
  4.  Reality of Another Kind
  5.  Life's Enormous Green Chest
  6.  Spindrift
  7.  Kindness
  8.  Luxury of Solitude
  9.  Our Restless Minds
  10.  Roadkill Memoriam
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  12.  Sediment Within the Soul
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  19.  I Have Spent My Entire Life
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