“Drained of faith, I kneel and hail thee as my Lord,I ask not life, thou need not swerve the bullet,I ask but strength to ride the wave, andone more thing, teach me to hate”
Analysis
In this quote by Joyce Shaughnessy, the speaker expresses feelings of desperation and hopelessness. By saying they are "drained of faith," the speaker indicates that they have lost their belief in a higher power or greater purpose. They then go on to ask for strength to endure life's challenges and to learn how to hate. This desire to hate seems to reflect a deep-seated anger or resentment that the speaker is struggling to understand and control. Overall, the quote conveys a sense of internal turmoil and emotional conflict.
Modern Relevance
In this powerful poem by Joyce Shaughnessy, the speaker expresses a deep sense of despair and emptiness, seeking strength and guidance in the face of hardship. The plea to be taught how to hate may seem jarring, but it speaks to the complexity of human emotions and the desire for a release from suffering. In today's world, where individuals may be facing personal struggles or societal injustices, this poem resonates as a reminder of the importance of resilience and the need to find ways to navigate adversity.
Poetic Example
In this haunting excerpt from Joyce Shaughnessy's poem, the speaker expresses a deep sense of desperation and disillusionment, pleading for strength to endure life's challenges and even asking to be taught how to hate.
Reflection Questions:
This powerful poem by Joyce Shaughnessy raises deep questions about faith, strength, and the complexity of human emotions. Reflecting on these themes can lead to personal growth and understanding. Consider the following questions:
- What does it mean to be "drained of faith" and to "ask not life" in this context? How do these sentiments relate to your own experiences and beliefs?
- The speaker asks for strength to "ride the wave" and requests to be taught how to hate. How do these contrasting desires coexist within the same individual? How do you interpret this juxtaposition?
- How do you understand the speaker's plea to be taught how to hate? How does this request challenge traditional notions of love and compassion?
- Reflect on the idea of kneeling and hailing a higher power while expressing such intense emotions. What does this suggest about the relationship between spirituality and inner turmoil?
- How does this poem resonate with you on a personal level? What emotions or insights does it evoke, and how might you apply them to your own life journey?
Similar quotes
“Strength of my heart, I need not fail,Not mind to fear but to obey,With such a Leader, who could quail?Thou art as Thou wert yesterday.Strength of my heart, I rest in Thee,Fulfil Thy purposes through me.”
“O infinite goodness of my God! It is thus that I seem to see both myself and Thee. O Joy of the angels, how I long, when I think of this, to be wholly consumed in love for Thee! How true it is that Thou dost bear with those who cannot bear Thee to be with them! Oh, how good a Friend art Thou, my Lord! How Thou dost comfort us and suffer us and wait until our nature becomes more like Thine and meanwhile dost bear with it as it is! Thou dost remember the times when we love Thee, my Lord, and, when for a moment we repent, Thou dost forget how we offended Thee. I have seen this clearly in my own life, and I cannot conceive, my Creator, why the whole world does not strive to draw near to Thee in this intimate friendship. Those of us who are wicked, and whose nature is not like Thine, ought to draw near to Thee so that Thou mayest make them good. They should allow Thee to be with them for at least two hours each day, even though they may not be with Thee, but are perplexed, as I was, with a thousand worldly cares and thoughts. In exchange for the effort which it costs them to desire to be in such good company (for Thou knowest, Lord, that at first this is as much as they can do and sometimes they can do no more at all) Thou dost prevent the devils from assaulting them so that each day they are able to do them less harm, and Thou givest them strength to conquer. Yea, Life of all lives, Thou slayest none of those that put their trust in Thee and desire Thee for their Friend; rather dost Thou sustain their bodily life with greater health and give strength to their souls.”
“I thank Thee, O Lord, that Thou hast so set eternity within my heart that no earthly thing can ever satisfy me wholly.”
“Belatedly I loved thee, O Beauty so ancient and so new, belatedly I loved thee. For see, thou wast within and I was without, and I sought thee out there. Unlovely, I rushed heedlessly among the lovely things thou hast made. Thou wast with me, but I was not with thee. These things kept me far from thee; even though they were not at all unless they were in thee. Thou didst call and cry aloud, and didst force open my deafness. Thou didst gleam and shine, and didst chase away my blindness. Thou didst breathe fragrant odors and I drew in my breath; and now I pant for thee. I tasted, and now I hunger and thirst. Thou didst touch me, and I burned for thy peace.”
“God, of thy goodness, give me Thyself;for Thou art enough for me,and I can ask for nothing lessthat can be full honor to Thee.And if I ask anything that is less,ever Shall I be in want,for only in Thee have I all.”