Author: James Herrick

Eerie Beauty

6/12/24

Eerie beauty, fallen, froze in flight
What happened to this creature? Did a fight
Cast down this unsuspecting animal
By kin approached, turned foe, and forced to fall?

A mystery lay fresh upon the ground
Where such a graceful misery is found
While awed in stillness, watchers hold their breath
The life of nature drowns the passing death 

Glimmer

6/6/24

A glimmer in the darkness, shining bright
How beautiful the glow is in the night
Inviting those around it coming near
With warmth and love replacing what was fear

The burdens of the day can weigh one down
Yet here we find the joy of every town
A glimmer in the darkness, food and prayer
Have nourished us with hope and love so fair 

Fallen

6/5/24

Fallen the thousandth time
He rose for nine ninety-nine
His goal was not far from him
Yet now he grew sad and grim

What future is now in store?
Will he fall a thousand more?
What matters the battles lost
When war won is worth the cost?

A glimmer of hope he found 
Now rising up off the ground
A thousandth he chose to rise
His goal now before his eyes

Depending

6/3/24

My Lord, how much I must depend on You
How often must I learn this Truth anew
How quickly, on my own, I simply fall
United let us be, once and for all

Even when it seems I’m growing old
Still more, Your wounded hand I firmly hold
In dying to myself, in You I live
Let nothing hold me back when life I give

Every good in me to You I owe
It’s only lost when, proud, I let You go
And so, bent low, I ask You fill my soul 
Immersed in You, let me now live in full

Victim of Love (v2)

4/12/24, 5/10/24

O Heart, dear Victim, full of Love
Unending joy of Heav’n above 
Our great solace here below
The Goal and Hope we’ve come to know

O Heart, bestowing Heaven’s joys
Heart that hope in us employs
Now so drawn here by this Word
We come to You with prayers now heard

Cleanse us of the wounds of sin
With Blood You shed for us, Your kin
Grant in all a heart anew
Who, in their sorrow, call to You

(Poetic translation of O Cor Amoris)