And what a congress of stinks!- Roots ripe as old bait, Pulpy stems, rank, silo-rich, Leaf mold, manure, lime, piled against slippery planks, Nothing would give up life: Even the dirt kept breathing a small breath.
Theodore RoethkeRead
Nothing would give up life: Even the dirt keeps breathing a small breath.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the inherent vibrancy and tenacity of life, suggesting that even the smallest forms of existence, like dirt, possess a will to live.
The quote by Theodore Roethke reflects on the resilience and tenacity of life in all its forms. It conveys a message that every element of the natural world, no matter how seemingly insignificant, has a purpose and a will to exist. This profound observation invites us to recognize the interconnectedness of all living things and the intrinsic value of life, highlighting that even the dirt, often overlooked, is a vital part of the Earth's ecosystem, quietly sustaining life in various ways.
Themes
LifeResilienceNatureExistenceTenacity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about environmental conservation, this quote can illustrate the importance of all life forms.
More from Theodore Roethke
All quotes →My Papa's Waltz: The whiskey on your breath Could make a small boy dizzy; But I hung on like death: Such waltzing was not easy. We romped until the pans Slid from the kitchen shelf; My mother's countenance Could not unfrown itself. The hand that held my wrist Was battered on one knuckle; At every step you missed My right ear scraped a buckle. You beat time on my head With a palm caked hard by dirt, Then waltzed me off to bed Still clinging to your shirt.
Theodore RoethkeRead
Art is our defense against hysteria and death.
Theodore RoethkeRead
The indignity of it!-_x000D_ _x000D_ With everything blooming above me,_x000D_ _x000D_ Lilies, pale-pink cyclamen, roses,_x000D_ _x000D_ Whole fields lovely and inviolate,-_x000D_ _x000D_ Me down in the fetor of weeds,_x000D_ _x000D_ Crawling on all fours,_x000D_ _x000D_ Alive, in a slippery grave.
Theodore RoethkeRead
By daily dying, I have come to be.
Theodore RoethkeRead
The stones were sharp, The wind came at my back; Walking along the highway, Mincing like a cat.
Theodore RoethkeRead
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