--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: as a bird swoops down on it's prey, and…" description: "\"as a bird swoops down on it's prey, and assumes this land bound wretch into heaven, so did romeo steal her lips before they fled him again. suspended s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/anne-fortier-7042_arms_as-a-bird-swoops-down-on-it-s-prey-and-a_2472990.jpg" --- # as a bird swoops down on it's prey, and assumes this land… ![“as a bird swoops down on it's prey, and assumes this land bound wretch into heaven, so did romeo steal her lips before they fled him again. suspended somewhere between cherubs and devils, his quarry ceased to buck, and he spread his wings wide and let the rising wind carry them off across the sky…” quote by Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/anne-fortier-7042_arms_as-a-bird-swoops-down-on-it-s-prey-and-a_2472990.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/anne-fortier-7042_arms_as-a-bird-swoops-down-on-it-s-prey-and-a_2472990.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/anne-fortier-7042_arms_as-a-bird-swoops-down-on-it-s-prey-and-a_2472990.jpg) > “as a bird swoops down on it's prey, and assumes this land bound wretch into heaven, so did romeo steal her lips before they fled him again. suspended somewhere between cherubs and devils, his quarry ceased to buck, and he spread his wings wide and let the rising wind carry them off across the sky, until even the predator himself had lost every hope of returning home. within that one embrace, \[he\] became aware of a feeling of certainty he had not thought possible for anyone - even the virtuous. with her in his arms, all other women, past, present, and future, simply ceased to exist.” [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Intense passion can transform ordinary life into a transcendent, almost divine experience, eclipsing all else. **In simple terms:** Passion makes life feel divine and all‑consuming. Key Takeaway Allow love to elevate your existence. Themes passion transcendence obsession Mood intense dramatic Type literary emotional When to use this quote - intimate relationships - creative inspiration - spiritual awakening - risk of obsession Key Concepts romantic idealism mythic metaphor psychology of love Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance passion with self‑care? - When does love become overwhelming? A Different Perspective Such intensity can lead to loss of self or unhealthy fixation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arms/) [Assuming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assuming/) [Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird/) [Bucks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bucks/) [Certainty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certainty/) [Cherubs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cherubs/) [Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil/) [Embrace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embrace/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Land](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/land/) [Lips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lips/) [Lips Fled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lips-fled-780600/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Past present](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-present/) [Past present and future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-present-and-future/) [Possible Virtuous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possible-virtuous-780602/) [Predator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/predator/) [Predator Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/predator-lost-780601/) [Prey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prey/) [Prey Assumes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prey-assumes-780599/) [Quarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quarry/) [Returning home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/returning-home/) [Rising](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rising/) [Romeo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romeo/) [Sky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sky/) [Spread](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spread/) [Stealing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stealing/) [Virtuous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtuous/) [Wind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wind/) [Wings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wings/) ## Related quotes > [“Philip had received little kindness in his life, and he was touched by the American’s desire to help him: once when a cold kept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-somerset-maugham/philip-had-received-little-kindness-in-his-life-and-he-was-touched-by/) [William Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-somerset-maugham/) > [ Michael \[Jackson\] had paintings of himself at Neverland depicting himself as a knight and surrounded by cherubs and angels. People might think he's an… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lachapelle/michael-jackson-had-paintings-of-himself-at-neverland-depicting/) [David LaChapelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lachapelle/) > [Musical cherub, soar, singing, away! Then, when the gloaming comes, Low in the heather blooms Sweet will thy welcome and bed of love be!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hogg/musical-cherub-soar-singing-away-then-when-the-gloaming-comes-low-in/) [James Hogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hogg/) > [The hour arrives, the moment wish'd and fear'd, The child is born by many a pang endear'd And now the mother's ear has caught…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rogers/the-hour-arrives-the-moment-wish-d-and-fear-d-the-child-is-born-by/) [Samuel Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rogers/) > [Him that yon soars on golden wing, guiding the fiery-wheelèd throne, the Cherub Contemplation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/him-that-yon-soars-on-golden-wing-guiding-the-fiery-wheel-d-throne/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [The busy chatter of the heat Shrilled like a parakeet; And shuddering at the noonday light The dust lay dead and white As powder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-sitwell/the-busy-chatter-of-the-heat-shrilled-like-a-parakeet-and-shuddering/) [Edith Sitwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-sitwell/) > [To adore the conqueror, who now beholds Cherub and seraph rolling in the flood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/to-adore-the-conqueror-who-now-beholds-cherub-and-seraph-rolling-in/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [He looked like those paintings of baby angels - what do you call them, hubbubs? No cherubs. That's it. He looked like a cherub…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/he-looked-like-those-paintings-of-baby-angels-what-do-you-call-them/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [A terrorist doesn't let strangers into her flat because they might be undercover police or intelligence agents, but her children bring their mates home…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-muchamore/a-terrorist-doesn-t-let-strangers-into-her-flat-because-they-might-be/) [Robert Muchamore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-muchamore/) > [“I’ve always found cherubs a bit sinister. The idea of winged babies flying around with no nappies on seems like an accident waiting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/i-ve-always-found-cherubs-a-bit-sinister-the-idea-of-winged-babies/) [Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/) > [I love to read. My favorite book series is 'Cherubs'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millicent-simmonds/i-love-to-read-my-favorite-book-series-is-cherubs/) [Millicent Simmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millicent-simmonds/) > [“Cherubs fan our foolish fires, filling hearts with mad desires. They prick our pride and haughtiness with quick, angelic naughtiness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-biccard/cherubs-fan-our-foolish-fires-filling-hearts-with-mad-desires-they/) [John Biccard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-biccard/) > [Art as an aesthetic principle was supported by thousands of years of discernment and psychic rewards, but art as a commodity was held up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/art-as-an-aesthetic-principle-was-supported-by-thousands-of-years-of/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [O Innocence, with laughing eyes! Thou art a cherub from the skies, A wanderer from heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-rice/o-innocence-with-laughing-eyes-thou-art-a-cherub-from-the-skies-a/) [Harvey Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-rice/) > [I vow to you I am as clean as a Cherub. Would you like a taste?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-vow-to-you-i-am-as-clean-as-a-cherub-would-you-like-a-taste/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Anne Fortier > [“Shush!” said Ambrogio to the dog, “I advise you to hide, in case it is the horned one trying to get in. I know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/shush-said-ambrogio-to-the-dog-i-advise-you-to-hide-in-case-it-is-the/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > [Think about it. He drinks poison. What kind of man drinks poison? She is the one who stabs herself with his dagger. The manly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/think-about-it-he-drinks-poison-what-kind-of-man-drinks-poison-she-is/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > [I’ll be back tomorrow,” he said, “at nine o’clock. Don’t open your door to anyone else.” “Not even my balcony door?” “Especially not your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/i-ll-be-back-tomorrow-he-said-at-nine-o-clock-don-t-open-your-door-to/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > [...it is fifty percent what they see, and fifty percent what they think they see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/it-is-fifty-percent-what-they-see-and-fifty-percent-what-they-think/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > [In many ways, a degree in the history of ideas is the ideal training for an aspiring writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/in-many-ways-a-degree-in-the-history-of-ideas-is-the-ideal-training/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > [Verona is a very beautiful city, but Siena just never ceases to fascinate me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/verona-is-a-very-beautiful-city-but-siena-just-never-ceases-to/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > [I think Shakespeare is everybody's treasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/i-think-shakespeare-is-everybody-s-treasure/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > [“Juliet by Ann Fortier. The Maestro (Chapter5) ... the slight nausea he was feeling must be somewhat near what God was feeling every minute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/juliet-by-ann-fortier-the-maestro-chapter5-the-slight-nausea-he-was/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > [Janice used to say that instinct was reason in a hurry; I was not so sure about the reason part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/janice-used-to-say-that-instinct-was-reason-in-a-hurry-i-was-not-so/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > [Only weak men want women to be weak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/only-weak-men-want-women-to-be-weak/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > [“There are some things," he said softly, "that a princess has to do alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/there-are-some-things-he-said-softly-that-a-princess-has-to-do-alone/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > [“Happiness is the worst threat to my business. Dreams are what it's all about. Frustrations. Fantasies that never come true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/happiness-is-the-worst-threat-to-my-business-dreams-are-what-it-s-all/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > [We are all cups, and our destiny is poured according to measures we cannot understand, cannot influence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/we-are-all-cups-and-our-destiny-is-poured-according-to-measures-we/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > [“The Salimbeni genes,” I observed, rolling my eyes, “are yet again rearing their ugly head. Let me guess, if we were married, you would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/the-salimbeni-genes-i-observed-rolling-my-eyes-are-yet-again-rearing/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > [While at Oxford in 1999, I met Jonathan Fortier, who is a Montreal-born Canadian. Despite the challenges of a transatlantic relationship, we remained keen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/while-at-oxford-in-1999-i-met-jonathan-fortier-who-is-a-montreal-born/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) [Explore all 92 Anne Fortier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) ## More Arms quotes > [I genuinely did not expect more than half our nation to choose to walk away from our long-term allies into the arms of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-reade/i-genuinely-did-not-expect-more-than-half-our-nation-to-choose-to/) [Brian Reade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-reade/) > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-wear-a-watch-because-i-want-my-arms-to-weigh-the-same-so-if/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [Preaching to the choir actually arms the choir with arguments and elevates the choir's discourse. There's a reason the right does it and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/preaching-to-the-choir-actually-arms-the-choir-with-arguments-and/) [Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/) > [He caught her, she fell, he caught her in his arms, he held her tightly unconscious of what he was doing. He held her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/he-caught-her-she-fell-he-caught-her-in-his-arms-he-held-her-tightly/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [Are we fighting?" I asked Morelli. "No. Were discussing." "Are you sure?" "Am I yelling?" Morelli asked. "Is my face purple? Are the cords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/are-we-fighting-i-asked-morelli-no-were-discussing-are-you-sure-am-i/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) > [A home isn't just a roof over our heads. A home is a place where we feel loved and where we love others. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/a-home-isn-t-just-a-roof-over-our-heads-a-home-is-a-place-where-we/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Comerado, this is no book,Who touches this, touches a man,(Is it night? Are we here alone?)It is I you hold, and who holds you,I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/comerado-this-is-no-book-who-touches-this-touches-a-man-is-it-night/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [Even the stove and the refrigerator looked human, I mean good human - they seemed to have arms and voices and they said, hang…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/even-the-stove-and-the-refrigerator-looked-human-i-mean-good-human/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [I separated the joints, the arm joints, the leg joints, and had to do two boilings. I think I used four boxes of Soilex…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-dahmer/i-separated-the-joints-the-arm-joints-the-leg-joints-and-had-to-do/) [Jeffrey Dahmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-dahmer/) > [More courage is required to forgive than is required to take up arms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ramos-horta/more-courage-is-required-to-forgive-than-is-required-to-take-up-arms/) [Jose Ramos-Horta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ramos-horta/) > [It's been a long time since I asked anything of heaven, and my arms still haven't come down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-porchia/it-s-been-a-long-time-since-i-asked-anything-of-heaven-and-my-arms/) [Antonio Porchia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-porchia/) > [With those who are willing to join, let us cooperate to reduce the burden of arms, to strengthen the structure of peace, to lift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/with-those-who-are-willing-to-join-let-us-cooperate-to-reduce-the/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [How shall freedom be defended? By arms when it is attacked by arms, by truth when it is attacked by lies, by faith when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-macleish/how-shall-freedom-be-defended-by-arms-when-it-is-attacked-by-arms-by/) [Archibald MacLeish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-macleish/) > [You don't have to say it out loud. I already know why you like me.' 'You do, huh?' 'Yep.' He wrapped his arms around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/you-don-t-have-to-say-it-out-loud-i-already-know-why-you-like-me-you/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [Another step had her backed up against the wall, and he braced his arms on both sides of her. "I'm beginning to look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-lindsey/another-step-had-her-backed-up-against-the-wall-and-he-braced-his/) [Johanna Lindsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-lindsey/) [Browse all 4,470 Arms quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arms/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "as a bird swoops down on it's prey, and assumes this land bound wretch into heaven, so did romeo steal her lips before they fled him again. suspended somewhere between cherubs and devils, his quarry ceased to buck, and he spread his wings wide and let the rising wind carry them off across the sky, until even the predator himself had lost every hope of returning home. within that one embrace, [he] became aware of a feeling of certainty he had not thought possible for anyone - even the virtuous. with her in his arms, all other women, past, present, and future, simply ceased to exist.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anne Fortier" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/as-a-bird-swoops-down-on-it-s-prey-and-assumes-this-land-bound-wretch/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Arms" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/as-a-bird-swoops-down-on-it-s-prey-and-assumes-this-land-bound-wretch/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/anne-fortier-7042_arms_as-a-bird-swoops-down-on-it-s-prey-and-a_2472990.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/anne-fortier-7042_arms_as-a-bird-swoops-down-on-it-s-prey-and-a_2472990.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/anne-fortier-7042_arms_as-a-bird-swoops-down-on-it-s-prey-and-a_2472990.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“as a bird swoops down on it's prey, and assumes this land bound wretch into heaven, so did romeo steal her…” — Anne Fortier", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Anne Fortier", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "as a bird swoops down on...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/as-a-bird-swoops-down-on-it-s-prey-and-assumes-this-land-bound-wretch/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/as-a-bird-swoops-down-on-it-s-prey-and-assumes-this-land-bound-wretch/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```