To crave and to have are as like as a thing and its shadow. For when does a berry break upon the tongue as sweetly as when one longs to taste it, and when is the taste refracted into so many hues and savors of ripeness and earth, and when do our senses know any thing so utterly as when we lack it? And here again is a foreshadowing -- the world will be made whole. For to wish for a hand on one's hair is all but to feel it. So whatever we may lose, very craving gives it back to us again.
The quote explores the deep connection between desire and experience, illustrating how craving can enhance our perception of what we long for. It suggests that the longing for something can be as fulfilling as the actual experience of having it. The sweetness of a berry, for instance, is amplified by the anticipation of tasting it. This longing transforms our sensory perceptions, allowing us to feel an almost complete understanding of what we lack.
The author also hints at a sense of wholeness that can come from this craving. The notion of wishing for a gentle touch implies that such desires can evoke real feelings and connections. Therefore, even in loss, our desires can restore a sense of closeness, making them just as significant as having the actual experience. This reflection on craving highlights its power to connect us with what is absent, suggesting that desire itself can be a source of fulfillment.