Saint Julian Press Poet

Fred LaMotte - Author and Poet

 

DON’T BE SATISFIED TOO SOON

 

"In the lover's heart is a lute which plays the melody of longing." ~Rumi

 

Don't satisfy this yearning right away;
let it season the meat on your breastbone.
Don't quench your need too soon;
stay thirsty all night, stay thirsty.
You are the wine, you need to get flavored
and darkened by the oak of what contains you.
Don't fill your belly right now with bread;
let your emptiness growl and lead you
to a better feast: stay hungry, stay hungry.
Don't staunch your lips with lover's kisses;
keep your tongue singing till dawn.
If you grow cold, don't warm yourself
with silk or downy comforter;
keep shivering, keep shivering.
Stay awake in the dark fire only nakedness can kindle.
Don't end your journey at the Master's feet;
his sandals are on the same path as yours.
Longing becomes what you long for;
seek what cannot be named.
Long for the lightning in the void.
Long for the Christ in trembling silence.
Long for the intimate mirror.
Long for the flame that burns a hole in the Master's gaze.
Long to become the beauty that breaks
each bud, each egg, each star, each heart from inside,
break, break from inside!
Let your longing for the Beloved
become the Beloved's longing for you.

 

 

 

 

Fred LaMotte

Copyright 2013

Interfaith Chaplain

The Evergreen State College

Olympia, WA

Poetry Site:  http://thebelovedwithin.blogspot.com/

 

Fred LaMotte is an interfaith college chaplain at The Evergreen State College in Olympia WA, as well as an adjunct instructor in World Religions, teaching college courses through distance learning program for deployed military personal. Fred is a Quaker. He has degrees from Yale University and Princeton Theological Seminary.