Bare branches Quote by Charles Simic
““The truth is dark under your eyelids. What are you going to do about it? The birds are silent; there's no one to ask. All day long you'll squint at the gray sky. When the wind blows you'll shiver like straw. A meek little lamb you grew your wool Till they came after you with huge shears. Flies hovered over open mouth, Then they, too, flew off like the leaves, The bare branches reached after them in vain. Winter coming. Like the last heroic soldier Of a defeated army, you'll stay at your post, Head bared to the first snow flake. Till a neighbor comes to yell at you, You're crazier than the weather, Charlie.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Truth is Dark”, published in Poetry Magazine, 1995
The poem portrays a bleak, oppressive atmosphere where silence and fear dominate, urging the reader to confront hidden truths despite overwhelming darkness.
In simple terms: Confront hidden darkness despite fear.
Key Takeaway
Face truth even when it feels oppressive.
Themes
existential dread
silence
truth
resilience
Mood
somber
introspective
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- mental health challenges
- artistic creation
- social isolation
Key Concepts
nihilism
psychological struggle
metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- What truths are you avoiding?
- How can you find light in oppressive moments?
A Different Perspective
The abstract imagery may alienate readers seeking concrete guidance.
![“Winter came and the city [Chicago] turned monochrome -- black trees against gray sky above white earth. Night now fell in midafternoon, especially when the snowstorms rolled in, boundless prairie storms that set the sky close to the ground, the city lights reflected against the clouds” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b4b/barack-obama-17_black_winter-came-and-the-city-chicago-turned_2949168.jpg)
