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
The frail, vulnerable sounds of which we are capable seem to be essential to a later ability to roar like a lion without scaring everyone to death.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Our gentle expressions and vulnerabilities complement our strength and assertiveness.
David Whyte emphasizes the importance of being open and vulnerable in our communication, suggesting that the softer, more delicate sounds we express are foundational to developing the strength to express ourselves powerfully and confidently. This duality allows us to engage with others without overwhelming them, highlighting the balance between gentleness and assertiveness in effective communication.
Themes
VulnerabilityCommunicationStrengthBalanceConfidence
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth, one could say, 'Remember, the frail, vulnerable sounds of which we are capable are essential for developing our strength.'
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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