Skip to content

Natural, hell! What was it Chaucer Said once about the…

“Natural, hell! What was it Chaucer Said once about the long toil that goes like blood to the poems making? Leave it to nature and the verse sprawls, Limp as bindweed, if it break at all Life's iron crust Man, you must sweat And rhyme your guts taut, if you'd build Your verse a ladder.” quote by R. S. Thomas
Download Open image
“Natural, hell! What was it Chaucer Said once about the long toil that goes like blood to the poems making? Leave it to nature and the verse sprawls, Limp as bindweed, if it break at all Life's iron crust Man, you must sweat And rhyme your guts taut, if you'd build Your verse a ladder.”

R. S. Thomas

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 urges embracing hardship and raw effort to forge powerful, authentic poetry.

In simple terms: Hard work creates authentic poetry.

Key Takeaway

Embrace struggle in creative work.

Themes

creativity hardship authenticity

Mood

determined reflective

Type

motivational philosophical

When to use this quote

  • writing workshops
  • personal journaling
  • creative retreats

Key Concepts

discipline artistic integrity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does struggle shape art?
  • When is effort counterproductive?
A Different Perspective

Excessive hardship can stifle inspiration.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by R. S. Thomas

Explore all 36 R. S. Thomas quotes

More Blood quotes

Browse all 6,234 Blood quotes