MIRROR POEMS

Somewhere Before the Poem

John Herlihy

Before the poem lies the hush of thought,

A shadow of longing the poem not yet caught.

The soul gazes inward, seeking light in a spark,

A whisper in the silence, a flame in the dark.

To hear a rare message in the rustling of leaves,

To whisper spirited longings on bended knees.

The trembling heart tied up, bounded by a string,

Just waiting for the wind to lift the bird’s wing.

No ink, no verses, no rhythm yet to trace,

Only the ache of beauty, the yearning for grace.

Before the poem, the poet is not yet known,

A vessel of imagination and feeling, quiet, alone.

While in the stillness, a bloom begins to emerge,

As the poet sits on the horizon, on the verge.

Somewhere After the Poem

John Herlihy

Somewhere beyond the poem lies an eternal space,

Filled with human sentiments touched by living grace.

Highlighting the human condition the reader fathoms,

That live eternally in the poem as in ocean fathoms.

The poem’s written words rest quietly on the page,

Its lasting meaning resounds endlessly age upon age.

Mystery of night vision in the lantern of the firefly,

The exquisite art captured in the wings of a butterfly.

The echo of ancient songbirds found in subtle rhymes,

The spirit of the poem blown as breath in wind chimes.

Sentiments drawn from the poet with universal appeal,

Sentiments the poet from vulnerable hearts did steal.

The poet writes quietly in a room and nothing assumes,

Somewhere beyond the poem, its flower still blooms.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Sunday 10 August 2025