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Say that the berries on a tree fermented / say that some…

“Say that the berries on a tree fermented / say that some birds ate them got drunk demented / couldn't fly straight flew straight into instead / wall of an office block and fell down dead / down on the pavement people undeterred / stepping over the mound of broken bird” quote by Ali Smith
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““Say that the berries on a tree fermented / say that some birds ate them got drunk demented / couldn't fly straight flew straight into instead / wall of an office block and fell down dead / down on the pavement people undeterred / stepping over the mound of broken bird””

Ali Smith

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 juxtaposes natural decay with human indifference, using broken birds as a metaphor for ignored suffering and societal neglect.

In simple terms: People ignore broken things and keep moving.

Key Takeaway

Notice and care for the overlooked.

Themes

neglect decay indifference nature

Mood

somber urgent

Type

poetic social commentary

When to use this quote

  • city life
  • environmental crisis
  • personal apathy

Key Concepts

symbolism urban critique empathy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What broken things do you overlook?
  • How can you respond to unnoticed pain?
A Different Perspective

The metaphor may be too abstract for some readers.

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