Harder Still (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Harder Still
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 Rated "G" by the Author.

Save



Harder Still by John Herlihy Why does everything have to be so hard, Harder still When we lean on our own understanding? Why do we always have to feel so hungry, Hungrier still When we continue to still feeling starved? Why do I have to always expend so much effort, More effort still When we fail to have the success that we desire? Why do we continue to keep talking, Talking still When there is no one willing to listen? We are we intrigued by all this mysterious, Mysterious still When those distant stars continue to glisten? Why do we continue to engage feelings of hope, Hopeful still When those feelings hanging from a frayed rope? Why do we continue to climb the divine rope, Climbing still When enclosed withing lies the blessing of hope? Why do we continue to ask questions why, Questioning still When the answers lie hidden in the third eye? - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Thursday 19 June 2025

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on October 30, 2025

DEPENDING ON WHAT THE QUEST IS...SOMETIMES 'NEVER GIVNG UP, OR GIVING IN AND GOING FORWARD, HARDER STILL...IS NECESSARY. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WHEN A POSITIVE GOAL IS PURSUED. NOW THE TRICK IS...DECHIPHERING WHEN IT'S WISE TO 'PRESS-ON' OR WHEN IT JUST MAKES SENSE TO... 'GIVE-UP'. GOOD WORK, JOHN, THANKS. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

Reviewed on October 8, 2025

I found that your premise of "Harder Still" is an apt choice as you take us though layered thoughts and meanings to the premise. There is a visceral longing for more connection with the reading audience, but you also give us the subtext that the most critical audience is yourself... so true. Poets who take risks, who try and generate new critical thinking in their verses do us all a big favor... that being most want to not be prodded and stuck with the quill of your pen. I too can identify. We are for the most part in a period of "short hand" living, especially by the young. Hopefully, we'll see a grand revelation emerge with those who will not read much today but will come around soon. Namaste, Dear Poet.

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

You kind of switched between writing about hard things that we always seem to be putting in our heads against, two questions that have mysterious underpinnings.

A bit confusing but understanding that our behavior is not always controlled but controlled by outside demands beyond our control, like habits, desires and cyclic behavior.

Ron