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Oh to break loose like the chinook salmon jumping and…

“Oh to break loose like the chinook salmon jumping and falling back, nosing up to the impossible stone and bone-crushing waterfall… Time to grub up and junk the year's output, a dead wood of dry verse: dim confession, coy revelation, liftings, listless self-imitation, whole days when I could hardly…” quote by Robert Lowell
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““Oh to break loose like the chinook salmon jumping and falling back, nosing up to the impossible stone and bone-crushing waterfall… Time to grub up and junk the year's output, a dead wood of dry verse: dim confession, coy revelation, liftings, listless self-imitation, whole days when I could hardly speak, came pluming home unshaven, weak and willing to read anyone things done before and better done…””

Robert Lowell

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 breaking free like a salmon, confronting creative block, and confronting the struggle of producing authentic work.

In simple terms: Break free, confront creative struggle, and keep creating.

Key Takeaway

Embrace struggle, keep creating.

Themes

creativity struggle self‑reflection nature

Mood

melancholic determined

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • writing
  • artist’s block
  • personal growth

Key Concepts

existentialism artistic process

Questions to Reflect On

  • What blocks your creative flow?
  • How can you turn struggle into growth?
A Different Perspective

Creative struggle may lead to burnout.

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