John Herlihy Four New Poems - On My Way - Let It Rain - Message of the Moon - We Pretend Not to Notice

 

On My Way

by John Herlihy

People ask me why

Why do I do what I do

Why, why and again why

Why not rest with what I knew

And I can only answer them

Why? I don’t know why

Why rest with what I knew

I gotta go where I’ve not been

Until I can say to myself

I’ve come this far

And I’m done with coming

I can’t go no further

Now do you know why

Well then, get up and go

Go where you want to go

For the sun has risen

You can stay home

In your rocking chair

But I’m heading out

On my way

- - - - -

Copyright © John Herlihy

Sunday 12 October 2025

I love this, John!

I feel just like you,

Only difference I do my traveling

With books about all things...

Do what you gotta do!

Gabby

Let It Rain

by John Herlihy

Birds care little whether or not it rains,

Sit on tree branches, no one complains.

You don’t see a bird under an umbrella,

Looking pedantic, the brave little fella.

Let’s take the example, a thing to learn,

Why worry, without need for concern.

This question of rain needs addressing,

What real bother lies in such blessing.

Clouds rush overhead as if on a whim,

While we here below try to look prim.

The last thing we want is to get all wet,

All drenched to the skin, feeling upset.

Do birds make fuss with a wet feather,

No, they endure whatever the weather.

The next time it rains, I say let it come,

Beating on me softly like a gentle drum.

- - - - -

Copyright © John Herlihy

Sunday 18 January 2026

John, after weeks of nothing but snow

I'd love to have rain come and wash it away

Also, bring showers to bring spring again!

Thanks for the reminder of what is to come...

Gabby

Message of the Moon by John Herlihy                             What is the message of the moon,                           But the waxing of its days.                     What is the symbol of the moon,                  But the inscrutable waning of its ways. A message we every night encounter, In its nightly passage across the sky. Stars rained down as from a fountain, We gaze into the night sky with a sigh. The moon waxing large with its borrowed light, Across the vast wreckage of its ravaged face. Without the moon night wouldn't be truly night, Nothing in heaven and earth could take its place. One night a month arrives the new moon, Blended into the darkness and impossible to see. Like being in remote recesses of a darkened room, Waiting for the moon in such a dark ebony sea. Waxing and waning on those lonely nights, Our lonely moon fixed within our lonely sights. On its journey through the night as a ghostly echo, Singing melancholy songs of sadness and joy in solo. - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy                                                    Friday 3 October 2025                                                              As soon as I saw your beautiful picture.                     I thought of the song Moon River                          but wasn't sure it worked 'til I saw             your last line about songs of sadness and joy...                                Really enjoyed this one...         We Pretend Not to Notice                          by John Herlihy We pretend not to notice certain things, Other things we pretend not to care. Just take it all in whatever life brings, Protected by a wink and a prayer. I go around hoping no one will notice, My crisp white shirt worn without flare. Just another weed in a pond amid lotus, People walk by without needing to stare. At a party I always wear something bland. As a protection against the outer world, No flamboyant style inviting a reprimand. All of my banners I keep tightly furled, Attending to business never to be noticed. Still hoping, just a little, someone will care, - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Sunday 5 October 2025 John, you must be somewhat of an introvert, just as I for this poem was the male version of my thoughts I'm so happy to have found your words So often they speak the words in my heart... and probably so many others... Thank you for your ongoing sharing... God Bless Gabby

The Photo... From Adolph Caso...and My Response...

My Friend Adolfo recently shared the photo from his yard and allowed me to put together a response using it! When I see the wings spread out from the eagle, I cannot help but consider how God has created each of the birds of the air, as well as all living creatures... Long ago, because of my love of cats, I began to consider how cats must see us as their God, their friend, their savior, their beloved family... So, too, when I saw the red bird sitting on the statue, I thought just how much that bird, also, might have asked, "Are you God?" Afterall, His eye is indeed on each of us...

And just as the young choir members know that He watches them, so also do many of us older adults know as well... but sometimes we lose heart...

On My Way

Never the desire has left me

to get to you, oh God,

in these last thirty years

and some of which so many

in darkness.

Are there more?

I should not ask the question

for night is yet my light

that fluctuates so distantly

though close to my heart:

too often,

it dimly disappears.

So with the means--religion,

with all the man-made sinuousness

whose beauty and logic

have often brought me close to you.

You

remained distant

and dim.

Still,

I lay in thought of you

not knowing how much of it,

or the inner being,

is my feeling.

--Adolfo Caso

from Water and Life

Sometimes as we become older,

our once bright vision becomes dim

We seem to be so alone,

distant from the world...

yet, knowing, we are "on our way"

We falter often...

Pleading...

Lord...Take my Hand...

And these thoughts and words came to me, dear Adolfo, because you

shared a photo...

Thank you...

Adolph Caso Presents Photography and Poetry During National Poetry Month...

Adolfo recently wrote that he and Margaret were on their way home--you know, winter was over--only to be greeted with a snow storm! Beautiful pictures, but quite different from the warmth of Florida... It seems we are often on our way somewhere, not knowing what will actually be there when we get to that chosen place... This poem by Adolfo made me think of that constant state for many of us...

On My Way

Never the desire has left me

to get to you, oh God,

in these last thirty years

and some, of which so many

in darkness.

Are there more?

I should not ask the question

for night is yet my light

that fluctuates so distantly

though close to my heart:

too often,

it dimly disappears

So with the means--religion,

with all the man-made sinuousness

whose beauty and logic

have often brought me close to you
You

        remained distant

and dim...

Still,

I lay in thought of you

not knowing how much of it,

or the inner being,

is my feeling.

from

By Adolfo Caso