Hunger And Thirst

We mortals might prosper
Without food for months.
Deprive us of water,
We die near at once.

Who slakes inner fire
Must drink, then, not fee.
For hungering is yearning
But thirsting is need.

And those who cross deserts
Alone must beware,
Must take their own water
When water’s not there.

And what of the spirit?
Like body, it yearns.
Like body, it’s mortal.
Like body, it burns.

But the spirit does not,
As the body does, sup;
It can't use the plate
But only the cup.

For if soul is not body,
does not live on bread,
Then it drinks deep and often
Or withers instead.

And each mortal spirit

Has deserts to cross,
Must take its own water
Or die from the loss.

So bread may be luxury,
Water comes first.
The body may hunger,
The soul always thirsts.