Poet John Herlihy Presents for Your Pleasure - Poetic Words to Ponder...

 

Some Ideas Take Time by John Herlihy Some ideas need a little time to take root, Like a weary foot settling into an old boot. First they dig deep, then begin to take rest , As if realizing they are at home in their nest. How do all these ideas spring from nowhere, The mind at rest, then suddenly they are there. All those negative ideas that serve as a ploy, Settle in dark hallways with intent to annoy, The mind itself seems to be set up as a maze, Happy thoughts gone wrong as if in a daze. Taking the wrong turn into some dark corner, Lost in the dark maze, ending up like a goner. Oh, give me an idea that can stand on its own, Just a little, innocent, sweet idea fully grown. - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Friday 9 January 2026 Is Language Innocent? by John Herlihy   Every door has a crack, To let in potential light. Every light has a shadow, A ghost moon in the night.   My honest take Must have a dishonest take. My sincere apology Must have an insincere apology.   Let me speak plainly Suggests you could speak less plainly. If only you knew Raises the specter of what you don’t know.   I call it as it is What about as it is not? I must confess A whole lot you don’t confess.   Under no circumstances Leaves room for certain circumstances. I never assume Until I do assume.   In any case Belies that one certain case. If truth to tell Ya, what about lies that tell.   Tell me a lie And I will infer the truth. Tell me the truth And I will defer the lie.   We think language oh so innocent When in fact, language oh so guilty Every statement has an equivalent The cloth of language feels oh so silky - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Thursday 12 March 2026

A Simple Truth

by John Herlihy

All we need is simple truth

To cut through the thick of things;

All we have is knowledge and will—

Spears thrown into the heart of things.

Knowledge shows us the way,

Free will leads us down the path;

Our choices always have their say,

Footprints left behind in the aftermath.

Truth as a fixed reality is simple;

We, as a fluid reality, are complex.

In the smile of life lies a dimple,

As slyly we are put to the test.

Knowledge as a beautiful flower,

Pictures painted as fine art;

Our free will holds unique power

To make a choice, then depart.

Knowledge is well arranged;

Presented to us is a choice.

We choose, and things are changed—

If not to despair, then to rejoice.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood;

The roads have knowledge, we the will—

To see what’s possible, to do what we could,

To make things happen by force of will.

The fabric of destiny made through choice,

Threads woven through life’s tapestry;

Either yes or no given its true voice—

The answer to unveil life’s mystery.

What is it that we finally choose—

What to believe, how to behave?

We choose to live, we choose to lose;

We choose a simple truth that saves.

—

Copyright © John Herlihy

Friday, 26 June 2026

We Never Do Know

by John Herlihy

We never do know what the future might bring,

We only come to know when the future arrives.

To know the future would hearts flutter or sing,

Knowledge that betokens if we are dead or alive.

Then the perennial question of wheres and whens,

Lost chances, unlikely prospects, the never agains.

We never know what may over the horizon arise,

Heaven-sent blessing that may fall from the skies.

They say that it is not the person that seeks luck,

Rather a lucky chance that seeks out the person.

Let your fishing hook fall quietly into the stream,

When you least expect it, a hooked fish will gleam.

Let the future bring with it, come whatever may,

The world but a bauble and we humans are at play.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Wednesday 24 December 2025

John, Me and the Cats thank you for speaking truth in the midst of chaos and lies...

It helps to know others see what we see...

Or is it...just...

No Matter...It's a Wonderful Interlude...

Gabby