Love and sex are not mutually exclusive nor mutually incompatible
For your body; it will bless
And guide you through all weather
While softly naked it will caress
Your body like a feather.
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The fourth stanza of the poetic parable on Love probably "feels" the most familiar to most readers. This is not surprising, as words such as "body, softly, naked, caress" are often associated with the sensuous (and more common) meanings of Love when associated with poetry.
It is on purpose that this line marks a clear distinction between Love in the "spiritual entity" sense which is offered in stanzas I-III inclusive (see previous three blogs) by the first line in stanza IV.
Love - Stanza IV, Line I: For your body; it will bless
This first line in the fourth stanza makes it clear we are switching concepts of "Love" by the opening three words, "For your body". It is also clear however that even though we are starting to talk about the physical expression of Love, we do not have to abandon the spiritual (entity) concept of Love, as in this line, Love (object) is blessing (action).
What is also important to understand in this transition to speaking about physical love is the notion of "bless". Basically, a blessing is a gift. So this stanza could be translated as saying,
Love (an entity) provides a gift (blessing) for your body (physical).
While Love may be viewed as an entity as in the first three stanzas, the gift of Love (physicality) is not mutually exclusive of the action of physical pleasure. It should be noted however that in the novel's section on Pleasure the visitor also acknowledges the existence of sex (pleasure) without Love.
Pleasure is the soul’s song played out in the flesh.
It is the caged bird within taking wing.
It is the urge to shed clothes and fully undress
It is natural, and normal to sing.
In this poem on Love however, it is clear the visitor is talking about the expression of Love through physical pleasure.
Love - Stanza IV, Line II: And guide you through all weather
The concept of both "guide" and through "all weather" is in simple terms the concept of Faith. It is close to the notions seen in many western wedding vows, "through good times and bad times, in sickness and health"... This is just another way of saying the same thing "to trust, through all weather, be it sunny, raining, cold, snowing, dark, bright". Again, in this poetic parable the visitor is clearly talking about when Love and the physical expression of Love (sex) occur together.
Love - Stanza IV, Line III: While softly naked it will caress
It is very clear by line III in the fourth stanza that the visitor is talking about sex. The words softly and caress are almost interchangeable, as to caress is to touch softly. Naked of course could mean the state of being nude, but some may also see the interpretation to mean to be vulnerable. Either way, the description of sex with Love, as in this line brings forth ideas of softness and vulnerability.
Love - Stanza IV, Line IV: Your body like a feather.
The fourth line of the fourth stanza on Love brings together the imagery of both sex (body) and reference to the crow (feather). The one concept that is probably not as clear but still there is the concept of "your".
The visitor speaks volumes about "we are one" , "universal language", and a commonality among all humans. However, when talking here it is clear the visitor describes your body as "yours". It is a possessive state.
A large amount of time regarding possessions, gifts, economics (all talked about in the novel) makes it clear to the reader that these things which you possess (can hold in your hands...including a lover's body) are temporary in nature. All possessions will remain and return to the earth from which they came - including your body. As such, by the simple word "your" it is very clear that your body is only a temporary possession - it is different than Love.
This is a consistent dualistic view of the visitor. To see all things as either sacred or mundane. The visitor would view the body as mundane, and Love as sacred. It is also clear throughout the book that it was not until he met his Beloved that he was able to clearly see that there were other viewpoints, such as when the sacred and the mundane combine. To see sex as a gift enhanced by the power of Love.
Until next time, I leave you know with the first four stanzas of the poetic parable on Love.
When Love beckons, do not sleep
And let none stand in defiance of;
Though cost be high and loss be steep
Leave doubt behind and yield to Love.
As sure as Love will lift you high
To heights beyond your reach
To fully grasp; you must partly die
Self-interest must be breached.
And Love will drop you like a bird
Scorched flying near the sun
Do not the dizzy heights disturb
Love’s quest to become one.
For your body; it will bless
And guide you through all weather
While softly naked it will caress
Your body like a feather.
Journey in Love
Michael Paul