Let us go then, you and I, When the evening is spread out…
“Let us go then, you and I, When the evening is spread out against the sky Like a patient etherised upon a table; Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets, The muttering retreats 5 Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells: Streets that follow like a tedious argument Of insidious intent To lead you to an overwhelming question … 10 Oh, do not ask, “What is it?” Let us go and make our visit. In the room the women come and go Talking of Michelangelo.”
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 invites a companion on a wandering, introspective journey through urban night, confronting existential dread and the fear of confronting meaning.
In simple terms: A night walk reveals inner anxieties and unanswered questions.
Key Takeaway
Embrace uncertainty and keep moving forward.
Themes
existentialism
urban alienation
introspection
artistic yearning
Mood
melancholic
thoughtful
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- late‑night walks
- art gallery visits
- personal journaling
- contemplating life choices
Key Concepts
modernism
self‑reflection
nihilism
Questions to Reflect On
- What fears surface when you wander alone at night?
- How does art influence your perception of meaning?
A Different Perspective
The poem’s ambiguity may leave readers feeling unsettled rather than resolved.