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I swear to keep the dead upon my mind, / Disdain for all…

“I swear to keep the dead upon my mind, / Disdain for all time to be overglad.” quote by Gwendolyn Brooks
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“I swear to keep the dead upon my mind, / Disdain for all time to be overglad.”

Gwendolyn Brooks

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The poet vows to keep the dead in mind, rejecting fleeting joy and embracing lasting reverence.

In simple terms: He/she remembers the dead, rejecting shallow happiness.

Key Takeaway

Honor memory over fleeting pleasure.

Themes

memory death philosophy time

Mood

somber reflective

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • funeral rites
  • personal loss
  • cultural remembrance
  • historical reflection

Key Concepts

existential reflection mourning

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does remembrance shape daily life?
  • Can we balance memory with living?
A Different Perspective

Grief can dominate thoughts, limiting present joy.

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