When I watch the living meet, And the moving pageant file…
““When I watch the living meet, And the moving pageant file Warm and breathing through the street Where I lodge a little while, If the heats of hate and lust In the house of flesh are strong, Let me mind the house of dust Where my sojourn shall be long. In the nation that is not Nothing stands that stood before; There revenges are forgot, And the hater hates no more; Lovers lying two and two Ask not whom they sleep beside, And the bridegroom all night through Never turns him to the bride.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The poem reflects on fleeting human experiences, desire, and the search for lasting meaning amidst life's transience.
In simple terms: Life is brief; seek deeper purpose beyond temporary passions.
Key Takeaway
Focus on enduring values over fleeting desires.
Themes
transience
desire
spirituality
humanity
reflection
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- philosophical discussion
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
impermanence
existential longing
moral contemplation
Questions to Reflect On
- What lasting values guide you?
- How do you reconcile desire with impermanence?
A Different Perspective
The abstract language may obscure practical application.