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Processions that lack high stilts have nothing that…

“Processions that lack high stilts have nothing that catches the eye. What if my great-granddad had a pair that were twenty foot high, And mine were but fifteen foot, no modern stalks upon higher, Some rogue of the world stole them to patch up a fence or a fire.” quote by William Butler Yeats
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“Processions that lack high stilts have nothing that catches the eye. What if my great-granddad had a pair that were twenty foot high, And mine were but fifteen foot, no modern stalks upon higher, Some rogue of the world stole them to patch up a fence or a fire.”

William Butler Yeats

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 laments the loss of towering, striking elements, suggesting that without them, the ordinary fails to captivate.

In simple terms: Without standout features, things become unremarkable.

Key Takeaway

Seek or create distinctive, eye‑catching qualities.

Themes

art visibility loss

Mood

melancholic thoughtful

Type

literary reflective

When to use this quote

  • public speaking
  • visual design
  • fashion
  • architecture

Key Concepts

aesthetics symbolism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What “tall” elements make your work stand out?
  • How do you balance uniqueness with substance?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on novelty can lead to superficiality.

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