# The Lost Disciple explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ameen Rihani.

## What happens

A disciple confesses to his Master that he cannot continue on the spiritual path because he has become entangled in earthly love and desire for a woman, symbolized by her daily visits to the spring and her beckoning with flowers. He admits to envying the Master's devotion and to yearning for a love like that of Mary Magdalene, but laments that his lust has caused him to lose what he had gained through longing and love.

## Themes in this chapter

### Desire and Restraint

The disciple struggles with his lustful desires for the woman, which conflict with his spiritual aspirations and loyalty to the Master.

### Spiritual Quest

The disciple's journey is interrupted by earthly love, highlighting the tension between spiritual devotion and worldly attachments.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The disciple who speaks to the Master, confessing his inability to follow due to his attachment to a woman.

### Beauty

The woman at the spring who beckons the disciple with tulips and poppies, representing earthly love and desire.

## Key lines

> I have broken my staff; for the true dawn is she Who comes every day with her jar to the spring.

I have given up my journey because the real light of my life is the woman who comes daily to the spring.

_The disciple abandons his spiritual path for the woman he loves._

> I have lost in the fire of my lust what I gained In my longing and love for her love and thy fate.

My passionate desires have destroyed the spiritual progress I made through my love for her and my devotion to you.

_The disciple acknowledges that his lust has undone his spiritual gains._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_2_se/chapters/the-lost-disciple
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_2_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_2_se/chapters