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Slowly the poison the whole blood stream fills. It is not…

“Slowly the poison the whole blood stream fills. It is not the effort nor the failure tires. The waste remains, the waste remains and kills. It is not your system or clear sight that mills Down small to the consequence a life requires; Slowly the poison the whole blood stream fills. They bled an…” quote by William Empson
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““Slowly the poison the whole blood stream fills. It is not the effort nor the failure tires. The waste remains, the waste remains and kills. It is not your system or clear sight that mills Down small to the consequence a life requires; Slowly the poison the whole blood stream fills. They bled an old dog dry yet the exchange rills Of young dog blood gave but a month's desires. The waste remains, the waste remains and kills. It is the Chinese tombs and the slag hills Usurp the soil, and not the soil retires. Slowly the poison the whole blood stream fills. Not to have fire is to be a skin that shrills. The complete fire is death. From partial fires The waste remains, the waste remains and kills. It is the poems you have lost, the ills From missing dates, at which the heart expires. Slowly the poison the whole blood stream fills. The waste remains, the waste remains and kills. - 'Missing Dates””

William Empson

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 depicts a gradual, pervasive corruption that spreads through the body and environment, symbolizing how lingering waste and neglect erode vitality and life over time.

In simple terms: Hidden decay slowly destroys life.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and remove hidden toxins.

Themes

decay corruption environment health neglect

Mood

somber reflective

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • industrial pollution
  • personal health neglect
  • environmental degradation
  • legacy of past actions

Key Concepts

toxicity entropy systemic failure

Questions to Reflect On

  • What unseen waste is harming you?
  • How can you cleanse your environment?
A Different Perspective

The metaphor may overextend to literal poison, ignoring agency and resilience.

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