The rosy hearth, the lamplight's narrow beam, The meditation that is rather dream, With looks that lose themselves in cherished looks; The hour of steaming tea and banished books; The sweetness of the evening at an end, The dear fatigue, and right to rest attained, And worshipped expectation of the night,— Oh, all these things, in unrelenting flight, My dream pursues through all the vain delays, Impatient of the weeks, mad at the days!
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the fleeting nature of pleasant moments and the yearning for rest and contentment in life.
Paul Verlaine's quote captures a nostalgic sentiment about the simple joys and comforts in life, such as enjoying evening tea and the warmth of cherished moments. It emphasizes the inevitable passage of time and how our dreams and expectations often make us restless as we yearn for those peaceful instants, feeling frustrated with delays that keep us from experiencing rest and fulfillment.
In practice
This quote could be used in a speech about appreciating life's simple moments during a family gathering.
So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
When we are young, we are slavishly employed in procuring something whereby we may live comfortably when we grow old; and when we are old, we perceive it is too late to live as we proposed.
The happiest excitement in life is to be convinced that one is fighting for all one is worth on behalf of some clearly seen and deeply felt good, and against some greatly scorned evil.
don't let us get sick, don't let us get old, don't let us get stupid, alright? just make us be brave, and make us play nice, and let us be together tonight.
And when you're young you want to fit in. Hell, I still want to fit in with certain humans, but as you get older you get a little more discriminating.
Learn to dance, so when you get to heaven the angels know what to do with you.
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