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The wind shrieks, the wind grieves; It dashes the leaves…

“The wind shrieks, the wind grieves; It dashes the leaves on walls, it whirls then again; And the enormous sleeper vaguely and stupidly dreams And desires to stir, to resist a ghost of pain.” quote by Conrad Aiken
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“The wind shrieks, the wind grieves; It dashes the leaves on walls, it whirls then again; And the enormous sleeper vaguely and stupidly dreams And desires to stir, to resist a ghost of pain.”

Conrad Aiken

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 portrays wind as a restless, grieving force that disrupts and awakens hidden desires, symbolizing inner turmoil and the urge to resist pain.

In simple terms: Wind is restless and awakens hidden pain.

Key Takeaway

Acknowledge inner unrest and channel it constructively.

Themes

nature emotion conflict awakening resistance

Mood

melancholy introspective dramatic

Type

poetic reflective

When to use this quote

  • stormy days
  • creative writing
  • personal reflection
  • mental health coping
  • artistic inspiration

Key Concepts

existential longing psychological tension symbolism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What inner conflicts does the wind represent for you?
  • How can you transform restless energy into purposeful action?
A Different Perspective

The metaphor may over‑dramatize natural phenomena, limiting practical application.

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