--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You were so near death that ghosts…" description: "\"You were so near death that ghosts crowded around you, weeping silver tears, waiting for you with such smiles. You humans, you know, whoever built you ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c26/catherynne-m-valente-375_death_you-were-so-near-death-that-ghosts-crowd_544362.jpg" --- # You were so near death that ghosts crowded around you… ![“You were so near death that ghosts crowded around you, weeping silver tears, waiting for you with such smiles. You humans, you know, whoever built you sewed irony into your sinews.” quote by Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c26/catherynne-m-valente-375_death_you-were-so-near-death-that-ghosts-crowd_544362.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c26/catherynne-m-valente-375_death_you-were-so-near-death-that-ghosts-crowd_544362.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c26/catherynne-m-valente-375_death_you-were-so-near-death-that-ghosts-crowd_544362.jpg) > “You were so near death that ghosts crowded around you, weeping silver tears, waiting for you with such smiles. You humans, you know, whoever built you sewed irony into your sinews.” [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage portrays a near‑death experience as a surreal gathering of ghosts, highlighting humanity’s ironic self‑construction and the paradox of suffering and smiles. **In simple terms:** Near death feels like ghosts weeping, showing humanity’s built‑in irony. Key Takeaway Recognize the irony in how we confront mortality. Themes mortality irony humanity existential surrealism Mood melancholic thoughtful Type poetic philosophical When to use this quote - death near‑death experience - philosophical reflection - creative writing - spiritual contemplation Key Concepts existential dread literary imagery Questions to Reflect On - How does irony shape your view of suffering? - What does “silver tears” symbolize for you? A Different Perspective The vivid ghost imagery may be too abstract for practical application. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Ghost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ghost/) [Ghosts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ghosts/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Irony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irony/) [Near death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/near-death/) [Silver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silver/) [Tears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tears/) ## Related quotes > [“Koschei brought you to me. You were so near death that ghosts crowded around you, weeping silver tears, waiting for you with such smiles.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/koschei-brought-you-to-me-you-were-so-near-death-that-ghosts-crowded/) [Catherynne M. 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