How well I know what I mean to do When the long dark…
“How well I know what I mean to do When the long dark Autumn evenings come, And where, my soul, is thy pleasant hue? With the music of all thy voices, dumb In life’s November too! I shall be found by the fire, suppose, O’er a great wise book as beseemeth age, While the shutters flap as the cross-wind blows, And I turn the page, and I turn the page, Not verse now, only prose!”
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 reflects on purpose and longing during bleak evenings, seeking comfort in music and literature.
In simple terms: Finding meaning in dark times through art.
Key Takeaway
Seek solace in creative works during hardship.
Themes
purpose
loneliness
artistic solace
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- literary analysis
- mental health coping
Key Concepts
existential yearning
autumn symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the "great wise book" represent?
- How does music influence your mood?
A Different Perspective
May romanticizing pain prevent practical action.