To Earthward" Love at the lips was touch As sweet as I…
““To Earthward" Love at the lips was touch As sweet as I could bear; And once that seemed too much; I lived on air That crossed me from sweet things, The flow of--was it musk From hidden grapevine springs Downhill at dusk? I had the swirl and ache From sprays of honeysuckle That when they're gathered shake Dew on the knuckle. I craved strong sweets, but those Seemed strong when I was young; The petal of the rose It was that stung. Now no joy but lacks salt, That is not dashed with pain And weariness and fault; I crave the stain Of tears, the aftermark Of almost too much love, The sweet of bitter bark And burning clove. When stiff and sore and scarred I take away my hand From leaning on it hard In grass and sand, The hurt is not enough: I long for weight and strength To feel the earth as rough To all my length.””
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 a yearning for intense, complex emotions beyond simple pleasures, mixing sweet and bitter sensations.
In simple terms: Seeking deeper, sometimes painful, feelings.
Key Takeaway
Embrace both joy and sorrow.
Themes
emotion
desire
complexity
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
poetic
emotional
When to use this quote
- artistic expression
- personal reflection
- emotional processing
Key Concepts
sensory imagery
contrasting feelings
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we chase intense emotions?
- How can we balance pleasure and pain?