When fishes flew and forests walked And figs grew upon…
“When fishes flew and forests walked And figs grew upon thorn, Some moment when the moon was blood Then surely I was born. With monstrous head and sickening cry And ears like errant wings, The devil's walking parody On all four-footed things.”
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 uses surreal, mythic imagery to convey a feeling of alienation and inner turmoil, suggesting the self can feel monstrous and out of place.
In simple terms: It describes a strange, unsettling inner world.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge and explore feelings of alienation.
Themes
identity
alienation
mythic imagery
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- creative writing
- nightmares
- spiritual questioning
Key Concepts
existential dread
self‑perception
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal experiences echo this sense of otherness?
- How can you transform monstrous feelings into growth?
A Different Perspective
The imagery may be too abstract for practical coping.