Each Whining Thing (1929) When stripèd snakes shall creep…
““Each Whining Thing (1929) When stripèd snakes shall creep upon us And the nervous screams of birds Make silent all the fountains and the orchards and when these Have caught upon the wing each wing That flutters from the sky Then shall I and then shall I Rip out the smiles from garden walks Transform the minnows into hawks Tarantulas and bees Then shall I and then shall I Unmake each whining thing.””
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 envisions a destructive transformation of nature, expressing anger and desire to annihilate suffering.
In simple terms: A wish to erase pain by destroying the world.
Key Takeaway
Consider the cost of extreme change.
Themes
destruction
rebellion
nature
Mood
dark
intense
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- environmental activism
- personal turmoil
- creative writing
Key Concepts
nihilism
poetic imagination
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives the urge to erase pain?
- Is destruction ever justified?
A Different Perspective
Violent imagery may alienate readers.