But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be…
“But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires: To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love; And to bleed willingly and joyfully. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; To rest at noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy; To return home at eventide with gratitude; And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise on your lips.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Desires are reframed as a yearning for deep, tender love that embraces both joy and pain, encouraging gratitude throughout the day.
In simple terms: Seek love that is tender yet fierce.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate grateful, loving presence.
Themes
love
gratitude
spirituality
emotion
mindfulness
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
poetic
inspirational
When to use this quote
- daily meditation
- relationship building
- creative writing
Key Concepts
philosophy
poetic metaphor
self‑reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance love’s joy and pain?
- What daily practice nurtures gratitude?
A Different Perspective
Idealized love may be unrealistic.