Stand By Me - Guest Poet John Herlihy - Speaks of the World - Responsive Poem by GABixler

 Stand By Me

John Herlihy

In a lonely and at times cruel world,

I need someone to stand firmly by me.

Into the hardship of one’s destiny hurled,

Someone to take my hand, support me.

We live in a world where strangers reside,

Strangers soon friends, friend soon enemy.

We live in a world mostly difficult to abide,

While underlying everything, life’s mystery.

In a world replete with lying and thieving,

Who in the world offers trust I can rely.

Whether in joyous times or times grieving,

Bound by a sacred trust nothing can belie.

In a world marked by envy and treachery,

With enemies willing to drag me down.

Who in the world there to offer loyalty,

To offer support without a single sound.

The night looms darkly, but I am not afraid,

Even the night tempered by dim starlight.

My earthly dreams in the Milky Way wade,

As I wander thru pathways of starlit night.

Even if the world stands still in its tracks,

And the rivers and springs no longer flow.

I find in your loyalty what the world lacks,

As winter finds trust in the peace of snow.

Are we not strangers, in a world strange,

Born into a realm that feels like an exile.

Taking full responsibility, a life to arrange,

To breathe in life, to frown and to smile.

Life’s books moves forward by the page,

As we walk on in hope and reprimand.

Ever seeking guidance of one true sage,

Ever present, ever ready, to take a stand.

- - - - -

Copyright © John Herlihy

Tuesday 25 February 2025

By Gabby

Your Words; My Words

Can two think the same?

See and feel the same?

When we find the very few

Who speaks not as strangers

But as Friends...

We Can be Thankful

For many do not see the same

Strangers constantly reaching

Not knowing that strangers can be

Exactly who we need to hear

Knowing that trust is possible

For their words are our words...

Amen and Amen...

~~~

God Bless

Gabby

Poetry - Loyalty - by Manny Monolin Moreno, Author and Ongoing Contributor...

 

I took this photo at Three Rivers Lodge years ago when I lived and worked there. I'm the middle shadow...

 

Loyalty

Honor
Dignity
Compassion
Unity
Forgiveness
Generosity
Respect

Do they still exist ?

Are they still being taught ?

There is no spiritual perfection only spiritual progress. Mistakes are important too. We learn from them. We grow from them.

I have been out of the "loop" for awhile now. Some by choice. Others by circumstances. Does one go to church to listen to sermons and walk out as if they heard nothing and return back to the ways of the social hysterias and confusion, to the ways of the "world"? When one goes to ceremonies do they play the part and only that?

To walk on the red road, takes commitment. Not without shortcomings but with effort and spirit. Being examples for the ones following.

As for myself I try and try to give back the things I was taught. From an ex-drunk who hated the color of his own skin, I stopped living like that over 24 years ago. So my nieces and nephews, my family,  would never see their uncle like that. It's been a long struggle to maintain my sobriety. But I kept my commitment. To give back. To honor my ancestors who didn't raise me to be anything less than the things they taught me. Jeewi. 

Just my thoughts. 

Manny M.
Lioj emomak tawa.