Thought for the Day

[bcholmes]

We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race, and the human race is filled with passion. Medicine, law, business, engineering: these are noble pursuits, and necessary to sustain life; but poetry, beauty, romance, love: these are what we stay alive for.

--John Keating, Dead Poets Society

No Platonic Love
- William Cartwright (1611-1643)

Tell me no more of minds embracing minds,
   And hearts exchang'd for hearts;
That spirits spirits meet, as winds do winds,
   And mix their subt'lest parts;
That two unbodied essences may kiss,
And then like Angels, twist and feel one Bliss.

I was that silly thing that once was wrought
   To practise this thin love;
I climb'd from sex to soul, from soul to thought;
   But thinking there to move,
Headlong I rolled from thought to soul, and then
From soul I lighted at the sex again.

As some strict down-looked men pretend to fast,
   Who yet in closets eat;
So lovers who profess they spririts taste,
   Feed yet on grosser meat;
I know they boast they souls to souls convey,
Howe'r they meet, the body is the way.

Come, I will undeceive thee, they that tread
   Those vain aerial ways
Are like young heirs and alchemists misled
   To waste their wealth and days,
For searching thus to be for ever rich,
They only find a med'cine for the itch.

Comments

[50-ft-queenie.livejournal.com]

Yes.

Just yes.