125"To write a single line of verse one must see many cities, people, things, one must know animals, one must feel birds flying and know the movements flowers make as they open up in the morning. One must be able to think back to roads in unfamiliar regions, unexpected encounters, and partings which one saw coming long before; one must be able to think back to those days in peaceful and secluded rooms, and to those mornings by the sea, to the sea anywhere, to seas, to nights of travel that swept along high above, flying with the stars; to nights of love and passion. And it’s still not enough. Having all sorts of memories is still not enough. For the memories are not what’s essential. It’s only when they become blood within us, become our nameless looks and signs that are no longer distinguishable from ourselves—not until then does it happen that, in a very rare moment, the first word of a verse rises in their midst and goes forth from among them." - Rainer Maria Rilke, from The Notebooks Of Malte Laurids Bridge
210"The soul was not
cured;
It was as full
as a clothes closet
of dresses
that did not
fit." - Anne Sexton, from The Complete Poems
cured;
It was as full
as a clothes closet
of dresses
that did not
fit." - Anne Sexton, from The Complete Poems
508"I read my books until
I nearly broke their spines, and in the cotton field,
I repeated whole sections I’d learned by heart,
spelling each word in my head to make a picture
I could see, as well as a weight I could feel
in my mouth. So now, even as I write this
and think of you at home, Goodbye
is the waving map of your palm, is
a stone on my tongue." - Natasha Trethewey, from “Letter Home” (via growing-orbits)
I nearly broke their spines, and in the cotton field,
I repeated whole sections I’d learned by heart,
spelling each word in my head to make a picture
I could see, as well as a weight I could feel
in my mouth. So now, even as I write this
and think of you at home, Goodbye
is the waving map of your palm, is
a stone on my tongue." - Natasha Trethewey, from “Letter Home” (via growing-orbits)
396"The work of the eyes is done. Go now and do the heart-work on the images imprisoned within you." - Rainer Maria Rilke, from “Wendung” (Turning-Point)
(as translated by Stephen Mitchell)
(as translated by Stephen Mitchell)
(Source: liquidnight)
183"Her body carries clouds all the way home." - Anne Sexton, from It Is A Spring Afternoon
181"Your voice
is
wild and simple.
You are
untranslatable
Into any one
tongue." - Anna Akhmatova, from The Complete Poems
is
wild and simple.
You are
untranslatable
Into any one
tongue." - Anna Akhmatova, from The Complete Poems
431"[And if the earthly should forget you,
say to the silent loam: I flow.]
To the rushing water speak: I am." - Rainer Maria Rilke (trans. Edward Snow), from “Sonnets to Orpheus” (II, 29)
say to the silent loam: I flow.]
To the rushing water speak: I am." - Rainer Maria Rilke (trans. Edward Snow), from “Sonnets to Orpheus” (II, 29)
(Source: the-final-sentence)
200"Our hands
that stroke each other
Our fingers
naked as petals
And the world —
pulses on a swing." - Anne Sexton, from The Fierceness Of Female
that stroke each other
Our fingers
naked as petals
And the world —
pulses on a swing." - Anne Sexton, from The Fierceness Of Female
195"Maybe the poets are right. Maybe love is the only answer." - Hannah And Her Sisters (1986)
115"I ride earth’s burning carousel
Day in, day out." - Sylvia Plath, from On The Plethora Of Dryads
Day in, day out." - Sylvia Plath, from On The Plethora Of Dryads
114"
may my mind stroll about hungry
and fearless and thirsty and supple
and even if it’s sunday may i be wrong
for whenever men are right they are not young
and may myself do nothing usefully
and love yourself so more than truly
there’s never been quite such a fool who could fail
pulling all the sky over him with one smile.
/ past
