"Well" Versed

How prompt we are to satisfy the hunger and thirst of our bodies; how slow to satisfy the hunger and thirst of our souls! - Thoreau

i bent down at the wilted well of life to quench my carnal thirst

not realizing that a parched soul needs a stiff drink of faith first

i beg your pardon that i had it reversed

now i'm fully submersed

neither coerced nor cursed

gulping rain in a cloudburst

headfirst

and 

"well" versed

Author's Note

“Yet, for my part, I was never usually squeamish; I could sometimes eat a fried rat with a good relish, if it were necessary. I am glad to have drunk water so long, for the same reason that I prefer the natural sky to an opium-eater’s heaven. I would fain keep sober always; and there are infinite degrees of drunkenness. I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man; wine is not so noble a liquor; and think of dashing the hopes of a morning with a cup of warm coffee, or of an evening with a dish of tea! Ah, how low I fail when I am tempted by them! Even music may be intoxicating. Such apparently slight causes destroyed Greece and Rome, and will destroy England and America. Of all ebriosity, who does not prefer to be intoxicated by the air he breathes?” - Thoreau

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Yes our soul needs nourishment too, we can forget that at times. Nothing better than standing in the summer rain when everything has become parched. Not only can you see the plants drinking in the water, you can feel raindrops being absorbed into your skin, on your lips, in your hair. Nothing like a natural shower to restore and envigirate body and soul. Lovely little write Pete.

Chris

[Pete]

everything is renewed and invigorated after a drought-busting rain - makes it all the more special. i remember putting on my bathing suit and playing in the rain as a child - downpours were the most fun! would love to do it again sometime. too bad we have to grow old and lose our innocence.
thanks ever so much for sharing chris ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Next time it rains go and stand in it and look up to the heavens, don't put your swimming trunks on though:).You might get a few strange looks. Keep your tee shirt and jeans on and pretend you are still a kid :))

[Pete]

lol. good advice. although the other day i was walking back to my room at the rooming house where i live with no shirt on after taking a shower and another female resident called me a "stud muffin". although at age 56 they're not exactly lining up for me ... :)

[Poetic Beauty]

We need to feed our souls as well as our bellies.

[Pete]

maybe you know of a good "soul food" buffet ... :)

[Poetic Beauty]

Adventure, new experiences

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I drink tons of water...and I love this poem....it flows off the tongue like a really cool stream.

And we don't address those "other" needs enough.

j.

[Pete]

it's good to drink a lot of water. indeed - too much focus on the outward not enough on the inward. when walking down the street i never hear anyone say, "wow, he's got a nice soul" ... :)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I so enjoyed the playful rhyming wordplay of this poem. It's so thoughtful and intelligent in its crafting. Job well done Pete.