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
Desire demands only a constant attention to the unknown gravitational field which surrounds us and from which we can recharge ourselves every moment, as if breathing from the atmosphere of possibility itself. A life’s work is not a series of stepping-stones onto which we calmly place our feet, but more like an ocean crossing where there is no path, only a heading, a direction, which, of itself, is in conversation with the elements.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Desire fuels our potential and creativity, guiding us through life's uncertainties.
David Whyte's quote illustrates the idea that desire is a powerful force that requires our attention and focus on the possibilities around us. It suggests that life is not simply a straightforward journey with clear steps, but rather a complex navigation through the unknown, where our aspirations and direction interact with the challenges of existence, much like sailing an ocean without a defined path but with a sense of purpose and intention.
Themes
DesirePossibilityDestinationJourneyLifeDirectionUncertainty
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about following one's dreams.
More from David Whyte
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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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