But

by John Herlihy

BUT one of those words we never escape, 

Lodged in our minds an exception to make.

We say all is well then add the perennial BUT,

Someone stakes a claim, we simply reply BUT.

BUT sits right there on the edge of life's cliff, 

Unready to make a decision with this foul whiff. 

The whiff of a BUT puts a tainted scent into the air,

We don't know what we want, reduced to a prayer.

With each concern, BUT there in the background,

Waiting with patience without making a sound.

The word so powerful it need not be spoken,

The word so contrarian our doubts to betoken.

The next time you hear BUT, push the button pause,

The effect possibly more powerful than the cause.

With BUT in our pocket. onward in life we plod,

Struggling with our doubts, yet saved by BUT God.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Sunday 8 March 2026