Oh, let there be nothing on earth but laundry,_x000D_ Nothing but rosy hands in the rising steam_x000D_ And clear dances done in the sight of heaven.
Richard WilburRead
I would feel dead if I didn't have the ability periodically to put my world in order with a poem. I think to be inarticulate is a great suffering, and is especially so to anyone who has a certain knack for poetry.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote expresses the healing and organizing power of poetry in one's life.
Richard Wilbur highlights the profound impact poetry has on individuals, suggesting that the ability to articulate thoughts and emotions through poetry brings life and order to one's experiences. He notes that lacking this ability can lead to deep suffering, particularly for those who have a natural affinity for expressing themselves artistically in written form.
Themes
PoetryExpressionEmotionOrderSuffering
In practice
Example use cases
During a poetry reading, I quoted Richard Wilbur to illustrate the impact of creative expression.
More from Richard Wilbur
All quotes →It is true that the poet does not directly address his neighbors; but he does address a great congress of persons who dwell at the back of his mind, a congress of all those who have taught him and whom he has admired; they constitute his ideal audience and his better self.
Richard WilburRead
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