Late have I loved you, St. Augstine of Hippo

saintaugustine-dc.org

Coming off of yesterday's reflections on "things above", I find it timely to share these beautiful words from St. Augustine of Hippo, c. 397 AD/CE.

"Lave have I loved you, 

beauty so old and so new: 

late have I loved you. 

And see, you were within 

and I was in the external world 

and sought you there, 

and in my unlovely state I plunged 

into those lovely created things which you made. 

You were with me, 

and I was not with you. 

The lovely things kept me 

far from you, 

though if they did not have their existence in you, 

they had no existence at all. 

You called and cried out loud 

and shattered my deafness. 

You were radiant and resplendent, 

you put to flight my blindness. 

You were fragrant, 

and I drew in my breath 

and now pant after you. 

I tasted you, 

and I feel but hunger and thirst 

for you. 

You touched me, 

and I am set on fire 

to attain the peace 

which is yours.”