Felt Quote by Audre Lorde
“. . . it is through poetry that we give name to those ideas which are-until the poem-nameless and formless, about to be birthed, but already felt.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Poetry and the Power of Naming”, 1984
Poetry gives shape to abstract, emerging ideas, making them tangible.
In simple terms: Poetry names and shapes vague concepts.
Key Takeaway
Use poetry to clarify and give voice to emerging thoughts.
Themes
creativity
language
identity
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- personal reflection
- activist movements
Key Concepts
naming
abstract concepts
artistic expression
Questions to Reflect On
- What vague feeling could you name today?
- How does naming change its power?
A Different Perspective
Poetry may not reach all audiences equally.
![“The most interesting - in fact, inspiring - people I met there [Porto Alegre] are those who remain nameless: representatives of the international campesino movement, the East Timorese delegation,... - the usual heroes, who disappear, unknown, apart from the consequences of their work.” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/980/noam-chomsky-42_consequence_the-most-interesting-in-fact-inspiring-p_99465.jpg)
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
