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John Herlihy

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Two Steps
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Wednesday, May 6, 2026    Rated "G" by the Author.
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Poem Artwork

 

Two Steps

by John Herlihy

 

Two steps to be taken

One step as forsaken

The step from no to yes

The step from yes to no

 

Not yet taken

One eventually taken

Decided by oneself

And taken alone

A step one must take

A step one must own

 

A step with weight

Be it heavy or light

A step with consequence

Into light or shadows

I have taken both steps 

With delight, with regrets.

 

Epilogue

Never yes and no

Always yes or no

Yes, says the mind

No, says the heart

The mind makes the decision

The heart takes the step

- - - -

Copyright © John Herlihy

Tuesday 25 November 2025


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 Reviews of "Two Steps"
Reviewed by Jms Bell
Reviewed on May 21, 2026
ENJOYED THIS SHARING. THE PROCESS OF TAKING 'TWO DECISION-MAKING STEPS' IN LIFE WHICH IS SUMMED UP IN THE LAST TWO LINES; THE MIND MAKES THE DECISION, THE HEART TAKES THE STEP. THANKS, JOHN. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Rebecca McKeehan
Reviewed on May 9, 2026
The epilogue says it all.

Rebecca

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com
Reviewed on May 7, 2026
Valuable thoughts. We so often miss the opportunity to choose such steps, allowing the outside world to dictate our decisions and considerations. Well-versed. Thanks John for posting.

Reviewed by Ronald Hull
Reviewed on May 6, 2026
Another one of your view of opposites. It's really quite interesting that the mind and heart are located in the exact same place in our brains. Not thumping in our breast.

I assume there are still others who believe that the human heart, just another muscle, if an extraordinary one that continues to work 24/7 for the entire length of our lives, somehow has emotional feelings, when it doesn't.

If a heart fails because of emotional trauma, it's because the brain has stressed it's operation.

Ron


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