III But may I, when alone again I have the city's crush…
““III But may I, when alone again I have the city's crush and tangled noise-skein and the furor of its traffic all around me, may I above the mindless swirl recall sky and the gentle mountain rim on which the far-off herd curved homeward. May my spirit be hard as rock and the shepherd's life to me seem possible- the way he drifts and turns brown in the sun and with a practiced stone-throw mends his flock, whenever it frays. Steps slow, not light, his body pensive, but in his standing there, majestic. Even now a god might enter this form and not be lessened. He lingers for a while, then moves on, like the day itself, and shadows of the clouds pass through him, as though space were slowly thinking thoughts for him.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Amid urban chaos, the poet seeks inner calm by recalling nature and steadfastness.
In simple terms: Find peace by imagining enduring natural scenes.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate inner steadiness.
Themes
nature
solitude
inner peace
resilience
contemplation
Mood
melancholic
hopeful
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- city noise
- personal meditation
- creative writing
- stressful workday
Key Concepts
romanticism
transcendence
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- What natural image steadies you?
- How can you create a mental sanctuary?
A Different Perspective
Urban life may still intrude, breaking concentration.