John Herlihy, Ongoing Poetry Contributor Presents: The Simple Lie, The Devil, and Mirror Poems--God Knew Me, I Knew God

 

The Simple Lie

by John Herlihy

There is something simple about a lie,
In fact, nothing is as simple as a lie.
A lie is but a lie is but a lie, no more,
Lies ring as a hollow bell, forever more.

Further embellishment need not be said,
The lie’s heart has already been bled.
Only the lie knows its own score,
Ways of the truth all lies deplore.

The smile of a lie holds a dimple,
Smiling as truth, what is more simple.
The next time you hear a lie give a wink,
The lie will no doubt wink back blink-a-blink.

The lie always ready everywhere to go,
Telling people what they needn’t know.
The lie always wishing to be a miracle,
Wishing to be the truth, it’s that simple.

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Copyright © John Herlihy
Friday 11 June 2025

The Devil

by John Herlihy

The devil comes in many forms,

So many whispers, so many faces.

Whistling a tune our mind adorns,

Taking us to many unwanted places.

Is the devil a real person, who cares,

A truth behind all the temptation.

Impervious to our fervent prayers,

With no interest in our reputation.

We wear the devil on our sleeve,

Ready to listen to whatever happens.

Inspiring us to act without reprieve,

With dire consequences no one reckons.

The devil such an unsuspecting friend,

Leading us to places we shouldn’t go.

Then leaves us alone at the very end,

Leaving behind sour notes on a banjo.

What is the devil but a wanton thief,

Willing any and every soul to steal.

All the temptation without any relief,

Without any way for the soul to heal.

We build so many houses of prayer,

But if you make a close examination.

You’ll find a chapel to the devil there,

To draw in most of the congregation.

Upon this earth the devil will long live

Ready to spring upon us with surprise.

Posing as true friend with a gift to give,

The voice be sweet but bitter the eyes.

The devil considers himself as oh so sly,

Crafty, sinister, his wrongs always right.

Causing evils he feels no need to justify,

As he walks merrily into the dark night.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Sunday 20 July 2025

MIRROR POEMS

God Knew Me

by John Herlihy

I knew you before the world was born

I know you before your mother was born

I knew you before you were born

I know you after you were born

I knew you all of your days

I knew you all of your nights

I knew you thru all your joys,

I knew you thru all your sorrows

I knew you in your maturity

I knew you in your old age

I knew you before you died

I know you after your death

I have forever known you

I will forever know you.

~

I Knew God

You have always in Your day known me

Before being born I never knew you

Then I knew even before I knew You

I knew your breath blown in as spirit

My soul knew You as you blew in breath

My infancy knew the blessing of You

My childhood knew the innocence of You

Thru Your qualities, I know my qualities

Thru Your virtues, I know my virtues

Thru my joys, I know all Your happiness

Thru my sorrow, I know all Your sorrows

Thru my prayer, I know Your Presence

As I age, may I always remember You

As my soul takes leave, may I greet You

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Sunday 9 November 2025

Thank you John for giving us words that we must ponder and consider how they relate to our own lives. I did have a little fun with the first two poems, but was inspired with your Mirror Poems... Had you ever done something like these before? I'm still learning to know God in His Infinite Wisdom... So I had to consider exactly what songs would talk about knowing Him... And another one popped into my mind! So why not... 

God Bless

Gabby