It doesn't interest me ...
I was recently given an audio of some of David Whyte's poems. I love how he reads the poems (sometimes a bit too quick) but I enjoy the repetition of certain lines as it gives you an opportunity to really hear what he is saying and to take it in. I really enjoy this poem and thought I would share it ...
Self Portrait
It
doesn't interest me if there is one God
or many gods.
I want to know if you belong or feel
abandoned.
If you know despair or can see it in others.
I want to know
if you are prepared to live in the world
with its harsh need
to change you. If you can look back
with firm eyes
saying this is where I stand. I want to know
if you know
how to melt into that fierce heat of living
falling toward
the center of your longing. I want to know
if you are willing
to live, day by day, with the consequence of love
and the bitter
unwanted passion of your sure defeat.
or many gods.
I want to know if you belong or feel
abandoned.
If you know despair or can see it in others.
I want to know
if you are prepared to live in the world
with its harsh need
to change you. If you can look back
with firm eyes
saying this is where I stand. I want to know
if you know
how to melt into that fierce heat of living
falling toward
the center of your longing. I want to know
if you are willing
to live, day by day, with the consequence of love
and the bitter
unwanted passion of your sure defeat.
I
have heard, in that fierce embrace, even
the gods speak of God.
-- David Whytethe gods speak of God.
Aimee Larson-Stoddard has a lovely analysis of the poem if you would like to delve into it more. Here is the link: Analysis of the poem
Enjoy
oh wow, I knew this once, long ago, but never kept it or remembered it, and now here it is with the author's name! I love this... Re-found thanks to you.
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