and God was there like an island I had not rowed to, still…
““and God was there like an island I had not rowed to, still ignorant of Him, my arms, and my legs worked, and I grew, I grew, I wore rubies and bought tomatoes and now, in my middle age, about nineteen in the head I'd say, I am rowing, I am rowing though the oarlocks stick and are rusty and the sea blinks and rolls like a worried eyebal, but I am rowing, I am rowing, though the wind pushes me back and I know that that island will not be perfect, it will have the flaws of life, the absurdities of the dinner table, but there will be a door and I will open it and I will get rid of the rat insdie me, the gnawing pestilential rat. God will take it with his two hands and embrace it””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker describes a spiritual journey, rowing toward an imperfect island representing life, confronting inner flaws, and seeking divine cleansing.
In simple terms: A spiritual quest confronting imperfections, seeking divine help.
Key Takeaway
Embrace growth despite life's imperfections.
Themes
spirituality
self‑acceptance
struggle
Mood
introspective
hopeful
Type
poetic
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- midlife reflection
- mental health
- creative writing
Key Concepts
inner conflict
redemption
faith
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal 'island' are you rowing toward?
- How do you confront your inner 'rat'?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may be too abstract for practical application.