Poetry is a street fighter. It has sharp elbows. It can look after itself. Poetry can't be used for manipulation; it's why you never see good poetry in advertising.
David WhyteRead
Absent the edge, we drown in numbness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The absence of challenge or intensity in life can lead to a feeling of emptiness and disconnection.
David Whyte's quote speaks to the idea that without the challenges or 'edges' in our lives, we may fall into a state of numbness where we feel disconnected from our emotions and experiences. It suggests that it is the difficulties and intense moments that give life its meaning and vibrancy, rather than leading to despair, they can lead to deeper awareness and appreciation.
Themes
ChallengeNumbnessLifeEmotionsAwareness
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about overcoming adversity.
More from David Whyte
All quotes βPoetry is often the art of overhearing yourself say things you didn't know you knew. It is a learned skill to force yourself to articulate your life, your present world or your possibilities for the future.
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By definition, poetry works with qualities and dynamics that mainstream society is reluctant to face head-on. It's an interesting phenomenon that by necessity, poetry is just below the radar.
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The severest test of work today, is not of our strategies, but of our imaginations and identities.
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We learn, grow and become compassionate and generous as much through exile as homecoming, as much through loss as gain, as much through giving things away as in receiving what we believe to be our due.
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