Desire Quote by Robert Bly
““His large ears Hear everything A hermit wakes And sleeps in a hut Underneath His gaunt cheeks. His eyes blue, alert, Disappointed, And suspicious, Complain I Do not bring him The same sort of Jokes the nurses Do. He is a bird Waiting to be fed,— Mostly beak— an eagle Or a vulture, or The Pharoah's servant Just before death. My arm on the bedrail Rests there, relaxed, With new love. All I know of the Troubadours I bring to this bed. I do not want Or need to be shamed By him any longer. The general of shame Has discharged Him, and left him In this small provincial Egyptian town. If I do not wish To shame him, then Why not love him? His long hands, Large, veined, Capable, can still Retain hold of what He wanted. But Is that what he Desireed? Some Powerful engine Of desire goes on Turning inside his body. He never phrased What he desired, And I am his son.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The General of Shame” by Robert Bly, 1975
The poem reflects on a marginalized figure, exploring themes of shame, desire, and the complex relationship between the speaker and the subject, suggesting empathy and love despite societal rejection.
In simple terms: A lonely, judged person longs for love and acceptance despite being shamed.
Key Takeaway
Offer compassion instead of judgment.
Themes
shame
desire
empathy
identity
family
Mood
reflective
somber
hopeful
Type
poetic
philosophical
emotional
When to use this quote
- family dynamics
- mental health support
- community inclusion
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
social marginalization
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we recognize and support those shamed by society?
- What does love look like for someone labeled as a “general of shame”?
A Different Perspective
The poem’s abstract imagery may obscure concrete guidance for action.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
