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Choice, and all its attendant energy, is a characteristic…

“Choice, and all its attendant energy, is a characteristic of youth. It is before one chooses that one feels desire and longing without fulfillment, which gives an edge to any artistic endeavor. Galway Kinnell recently said in an interview that a young poet has so many choices but an old poet must…” quote by Mary Ruefle
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““Choice, and all its attendant energy, is a characteristic of youth. It is before one chooses that one feels desire and longing without fulfillment, which gives an edge to any artistic endeavor. Galway Kinnell recently said in an interview that a young poet has so many choices but an old poet must simply endure his chosen life.””

Mary Ruefle

About This Quote

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

Youthful choice fuels desire, giving artistic work urgency before decisions are made.

In simple terms: Youthful desire drives art before choices.

Key Takeaway

Embrace desire, channel it into creation.

Themes

youth desire artistic urgency choice energy

Mood

reflective inspired

Type

philosophical creative

When to use this quote

  • starting a creative project
  • writing poetry
  • exploring new mediums
  • overcoming creative block

Key Concepts

existentialism creative motivation psychology of longing

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does longing shape your creative process?
  • Can desire be harnessed without a concrete choice?
A Different Perspective

Desire alone may not translate into focused output without discipline.

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