Late Have I Loved You (Adaptation)

“Late have I loved you, O beauty so ancient and so new;

      late have I loved you… (1)

            Teach me to seek you,
            for I cannot seek you
            unless you teach me,
            or find you
            unless you show yourself to me.

            Let me seek you in my desire,
            Let me desire you in my seeking.
            Let me find you by loving you,
            Let me love you when I find you. (2)

For behold you were within me, and I outside;

      and I sought you outside and in my ugliness fell
      upon those lovely things that you have made.
You were with me and I was not with you.
I was kept from you by those things,
      yet had they not been in you,
      they would not have been at all… (1)

            Lord, where shall I find you?
            High and hidden is your place.
            And where shall I not find you?
            The world is full of your glory.

            I have sought your nearness,
            With all my heart I called you
            and in going out to meet you
            I found you coming in to meet me. (3)

You called and cried to me and broke upon my deafness;

      and you sent forth your light and shone upon me,
      and chased away my blindness;
You breathed fragrance upon me,
      and I drew in my breath and do not pant for you:
I tasted you and I now hunger and thirst for you;
      you touched me, and I have burned for your peace.” (1)
 
(An adaptation of three prayers as annotated: 1. Saint Augustine, 2. Saint Anselm, 3. Judah Halevi)
 
 
©2012 Gentry Avenue Productions. All Rights Reserved.

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This Post Has 16 Comments

  1. Deb October 17, 2012 Reply

    This is so beautiful, George! It’s written with such love and passion.
    Beautiful work, George! Trust that He is always with you!
    xx

    1. George Mahn III October 17, 2012 Reply

      Thanks, Deb! I believe these prayers speak in a special way and after awhile they just seemed to overlap rather naturally. Glad I’m not alone!

  3. Robyn Lee October 17, 2012 Reply

    Spoke right to my heart George — I was looking to where I could hear the music — is there an accompaniment ~ or are these going to be lyrics …certainly can stand alone. Beautiful! ~R

    1. George Mahn III October 17, 2012 Reply

      Thanks, Robyn! No music at this point but that is an interesting idea. I have a broad concept on the back burner that could possibly work with this. Something to think about now!

  4. Soma Mukherjee October 18, 2012 Reply

    Beautiful adaptation George such a soul calming prayer..

    1. George Mahn III October 31, 2012 Reply

      Thanks, Anne! Happy to share it and delighted that you stopped by. 🙂

  6. Mira Jay November 5, 2012 Reply

    Soothing lines…
    Peace & Light

    1. George Mahn III December 1, 2012 Reply

      I certainly appreciate your kind remarks. Looking forward to exploring your blog. Thanks for following mine!

    1. George Mahn III December 17, 2012 Reply

      Such is the nature of the universe and fuller humanity. Thanks!

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