Oh scattered band, once my playmates, you few Who were…
““Oh scattered band, once my playmates, you few Who were amidst the gardens here and there in the city, How hesitantly we located one another, took fancies and Like the tapestry lamb whose mute words are on a scroll, Spoke through silence. Our little joys were Never communicated, - Whose indeed were they? And among all the passers-by, those hurriers, how it all Evanesced quite away, weighed down by the torment of the endless year. Past us were drawn the carriages, wholly indifferent, Round us the houses stood strong but not real, - and none Of these were aware of us. What was truly real in it all? Nothing. Only the balls we tossed, their magnificent arcs, But certainly not the children. ... Though sometimes one would step - Alas, one who would soon be lost, - beneath a falling ball.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The poem reflects on fleeting childhood friendships, the impermanence of joy, and the existential emptiness felt amid indifferent surroundings.
In simple terms: Childhood connections fade, life feels empty amid indifferent world.
Key Takeaway
Cherish present moments before they vanish.
Themes
nostalgia
existentialism
impermanence
indifference
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- playgrounds
- urban life
- family gatherings
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
memory
time
meaninglessness
social isolation
Questions to Reflect On
- What moments from your youth feel lost?
- How do you find meaning in everyday indifference?
A Different Perspective
The abstract language may obscure concrete meaning for some readers.