He plunged his arms deep to embrace One who vanished in…
““He plunged his arms deep to embrace One who vanished in agitated water. Again and again he kissed The lips that seemed to be rising to kiss his But dissolved, as he touched them, Into a soft splash and a shiver of ripples. How could he clasp and caress his own reflection? And still he could not comprehend What the deception was, what the delusion. He simply became more excited by it. Poor misguided boy! Why clutch so vainly At such a brittle figment? What you hope To lay hold of has no existence. Look away and what you love is nowhere.””
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 describes a futile attempt to grasp an illusion, highlighting the pain of chasing something that exists only as a reflection or fleeting image.
In simple terms: Despair over chasing an illusion.
Key Takeaway
Illusions are unattainable.
Themes
illusion
self‑deception
despair
identity
transience
unrequited love
Mood
melancholic
wistful
introspective
Type
poetic
philosophical
lyrical
When to use this quote
- lost love
- unattainable goal
- self‑reflection
- obsessive pursuit
Key Concepts
reflection
water metaphor
vanishing
desire
Practical Applications
- poetic exploration of longing
- cautionary tale about chasing fantasies
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to love something that cannot be held?
- How does the water metaphor deepen the sense of loss?
A Different Perspective
The passage could be read as a celebration of yearning, suggesting that the pursuit itself gives meaning despite futility.