Kissing Quote by Anne Michaels
“Reading a poem in translation is like kissing a woman through a veil.”
About This Quote
Source Poetry collection: The Weight of Oranges by Anne Michaels, 1997
Translation dilutes the intimacy of poetry, creating a barrier between reader and original feeling.
In simple terms: Reading translated poems feels like a veiled kiss.
Key Takeaway
Seek original language or deep translation.
Themes
translation
poetry
communication
Mood
thoughtful
melancholic
Type
literary
reflective
When to use this quote
- literature study
- language learning
- cross‑cultural appreciation
Key Concepts
linguistics
aesthetics
interpretation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape emotion?
- Can translation ever be faithful?
A Different Perspective
Translations can capture meaning but lose nuance.
![“[Poetry] strips the veil of familiarity from the world, and lays bear the naked and sleeping beauty which is the spirit of its forms.” quote by Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0a5/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_beauty_poetry-strips-the-veil-of-familiarity-fr_3206301.jpg)
