Thou wast not born for death, immortal Bird! No hungry…
“Thou wast not born for death, immortal Bird! No hungry generations tread thee down; The voice I hear this passing night was heard In ancient days by emperor and clown: Perhaps the self-same song that found a path Through the sad heart of Ruth, when, sick for home, She stood in tears amid the alien corn; The same that ofttimes hath Charm'd magic casements, opening on the foam Of perilous seas, in faery lands forlorn.”
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 sees the bird as an immortal symbol that outlives human suffering and history, offering a timeless, transcendent song.
In simple terms: The bird lives forever, beyond human pain.
Key Takeaway
Seek timeless beauty beyond fleeting woes.
Themes
immortality
transcendence
art
nature
history
Mood
melancholic
hopeful
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- grief
- creative inspiration
- contemplation
- loneliness
Key Concepts
symbolism
eternity
poetic imagination
Questions to Reflect On
- How does art help us confront mortality?
- What does the bird represent for you?
A Different Perspective
The bird’s idealized permanence may ignore real mortality.