JOHN MORIARTY

Once in a while someone crosses ones path and makes a profound impression, indeed it may be said,a life-changing impression . In my case John Moriarty is such a man, through his writing and his spoken words, this is a man who has seen things and somebody who has a sight and vision for the future ! Moriarty sees hope in the fundamental Christian expectation of an afterlife...somewhere out of this time and space....beyond...that eternal place apart ,where neither moth or rust can destroy! Having had the privilege to listen to this man and in a teaching sense, to sit at his feet...I see him as a signpost on this earthly landscape reminding us powerfully that this is not all there is...by a long shot ! In tribute to John I wrote these few lines,wishing him well with his recent health issues...

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Gerard O'Shea

For John Moriarty

When Mangerton's cap is hidden by the mist
And the furze blooms dip their yellow heads,
And the driving rain thunders on the roof
And every ditch and stone is dripping wet,
Then there is need for the seer
To look beyond the world that dreary hangs,
And touch the hidden sun,beyond the cloud
And kiss the smiling lips beneath the shroud,
And share the beauty-truths that still abound
Even in a world more lost than found.
For this time John, you were born
A benediction on all forlorn
To share the Eucharist of your wound
And bending down to hug the holy ground

Strong dweller of the solitary place,
Hermit who loves the swirling crowd,
Abstainer from every man cut creed,
Friend to the broken heart and face cast down,
Dreamer of substance more real than earth,
You have gone out and left the fetid camp
Like One who hung beyond a city wall.
You have climbed the ascending path
Beside the torrenting waterfall
And all the days of your life you have gazed upon it
And learned the lesson to be still
And found the essence of all our days
Hidden in the deep deep heart of God.

2006