I sometimes hold it half a sin To put in words the grief I…
“I sometimes hold it half a sin To put in words the grief I feel For words, like nature, half reveal And half conceal the soul within. But, for the unquiet heart and brain A use measured language lie's The sad mechanic exercise Like dull narcotic's, numbing pain In words, like weeds, I'll wrap me o'er Like coarsest clothes against the cold But large grief which these enfold Is given in outline and no more.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Grief is partially expressible; language can both reveal and hide emotional depth.
In simple terms: Grief is partly hidden in words.
Key Takeaway
Use measured language for deep sorrow.
Themes
grief
language
expression
silence
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- therapy
- writing
- mourning
- artistic reflection
Key Concepts
poetic paradox
emotional restraint
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you articulate deep loss?
- When is silence more honest than speech?
A Different Perspective
Words may never fully capture pain.