A Dream Within A Dream Take this kiss upon the brow! And…
““ A Dream Within A Dream Take this kiss upon the brow! And, in parting from you now, Thus much let me avow- You are not wrong, who deem That my days have been a dream; Yet if hope has flown away In a night, or in a day, In a vision, or in none, Is it therefore the less gone? All that we see or seem Is but a dream within a dream. I stand amid the roar Of a surf-tormented shore, And I hold within my hand Grains of the golden sand- How few! yet how they creep Through my fingers to the deep, While I weep- while I weep! O God! can I not grasp Them with a tighter clasp? O God! can I not save One from the pitiless wave? Is all that we see or seem But a dream within a dream?””
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 reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the illusion of reality, urging a grasp at meaning despite inevitable loss.
In simple terms: Life feels like a fleeting dream, hard to hold onto.
Key Takeaway
Cherish moments, accept impermanence.
Themes
impermanence
illusion
grief
hope
existence
Mood
melancholic
reflective
contemplative
Type
poetic
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- reading poetry
- contemplating loss
- grieving a personal
- mindfulness practice
Key Concepts
transcendentalism
romanticism
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the sand symbolize for you?
- How do you cope with the feeling that life is a dream?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor of sand may oversimplify complex emotions and existential concerns.