Does it matter whether you hate yourself? At least love your eyes that can see, your mind that can hear the music, the thunder of the wings.
Interpretation
Self-appreciation is essential, even in moments of self-doubt or self-hate.
Robinson Jeffers emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating the beauty and capabilities within ourselves, even when we struggle with feelings of inadequacy. By focusing on our senses and the wonders of the world, we can cultivate a sense of love for our own existence and find joy in our unique experiences.
In practice
During a mental health awareness event, to encourage self-acceptance.
As for me, I would rather be a worm in a wild apple than a son of man. But we are what we are, and we might remember not to hate any person, for all are vicious; And not to be astonished at any evil, all are deserved; And not to fear death; it is the only way to be cleansed.
Nature knows that people are a tide that swells and in time will ebb, and all their works dissolve ... As for us: We must uncenter our minds from ourselves. We must unhumanize our views a little and become confident as the rock and ocean that we are made from.
Poetry is not a civilizer, rather the reverse, for great poetry appeals to the most primitive instincts.
I've changed my ways a little, I cannot now Run with you in the evenings along the shore, Except in a kind of dream, and you, if you dream a moment, You see me there.
You making haste on decay: not blameworthy; life is good, be it stubbornly long or suddenly A mortal splendor: meteors are not needed less than mountains: shine, perishing republic.
Death's a fierce meadowlark: but to die having made / Something more equal to the centuries / Than muscle and bone, is mostly to shed weakness.
He is not worthy of the honey-comb, that shuns the hives because the bees have stings.
Your gratitude attitude determines your life altitude.
Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day; wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit.
A good youth ought to have a fear of God, to be subject to his parents, to give honor to his elders, to preserve his purity; he ought not to despise humility, but should love forbearance and modesty. All these are an ornament to youthful years.
Once you allow yourself to identify with the people in a story, then you might begin to see yourself in that story even if on the surface it's far removed from your situation.
If water derives lucidity from stillness, how much more the faculties of the mind.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.