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

Review: This Flowing Toward Me - A Must Read For Those Interested in U.S. Immigration!

This Flowing Toward Me
By Marilyn Lacey
Ave Maria Press.
ISBN: 9781594711978
207 Pages


This is a timely book about one of the most controversial issues of today that I’ve read! In my opinion, This Flowing Toward Me: A Story of God Arriving In Strangers by Marilyn Lacey is a must read for politicians, teachers, civic leaders, and anybody who is concerned about immigration activities in the United States.

Though written as a memoir, this book is really about the many, many interactions the author has had with and about refugees. “Marilyn Lacey invites those of us living behind locked doors in a world shuttered by homeland security...and...discover that where we most felt threatened, a wealth of blessings awaits us.” (back cover) This book is written as an inclusive text on all religions, for in reading of Marilyn’s experiences, we will see that it is not about religion, but about all of the millions of people who, if given the proper welcome, would become a friend.

Sister Lacey’s story begins when her convent welcomed Nhia Bee, his wife and five children from Thailand, all of who knew no English. During that visit, Marilyn realized how much the family had come to mean to her. And then she had a dream in which one of the children told her “we’re here to teach you a new way of loving.” And that was the beginning.

As an active professional woman, Sister Lacey quickly became involved and leader of many activities regarding refugee entrance into America. Many of her stories are about the people, but there is also much she shares about her personal journey. I empathize especially with her chapter about spiders—the insects we women all love to hate, even if they are God’s creatures! Imagine being confronted with a spider as big as your fist!

It is the latter part of the book where the Sister begins to speak to us, pointing out all of the Biblical stories where Jesus chose to befriend the stranger, the alien, the weary and downtrodden. With sufficient clarity she challenges—can we do less?

There is so much confusion, frustration and fear regarding immigrants to America. Let Sister Marilyn Lacey use her book, This Flowing Toward Me to help you answer the question, “What would Jesus Do?”

G. A. Bixler