--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There’s a poem by Adrienne Rich I first…" description: "\"“There’s a poem by Adrienne Rich I first read twenty years ago called “Splittings” that I thought of when I read your letter. The last two lines of the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af7/cheryl-strayed-605_love_there-s-a-poem-by-adrienne-rich-i-first_824738.png" --- # There’s a poem by Adrienne Rich I first read twenty years… ![“There’s a poem by Adrienne Rich I first read twenty years ago called “Splittings” that I thought of when I read your letter. The last two lines of the poem are: “I choose to love this time for once / with all my intelligence.” It seemed such a radical thought when I first read those lines when I…” quote by Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af7/cheryl-strayed-605_love_there-s-a-poem-by-adrienne-rich-i-first_824738.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af7/cheryl-strayed-605_love_there-s-a-poem-by-adrienne-rich-i-first_824738.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af7/cheryl-strayed-605_love_there-s-a-poem-by-adrienne-rich-i-first_824738.png) > ““There’s a poem by Adrienne Rich I first read twenty years ago called “Splittings” that I thought of when I read your letter. The last two lines of the poem are: “I choose to love this time for once / with all my intelligence.” It seemed such a radical thought when I first read those lines when I was twenty-two—that love could rise from our deepest, most reasoned intentions rather than our strongest shadowy doubts.”” [Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing love deliberately, guided by intellect rather than fear, transforms relationships and self‑perception. **In simple terms:** Love can be a conscious, rational choice. Key Takeaway Embrace love with intention. Themes love reason self‑growth Mood hopeful reflective Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - personal relationships - self‑reflection - conflict resolution Key Concepts conscious choice radical acceptance Questions to Reflect On - How can you practice intentional love? - What fears block rational love? A Different Perspective Love may feel forced if not authentic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Called Splittings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-splittings-505679/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Poem Adrienne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poem-adrienne-505677/) [Poem Choose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poem-choose-505678/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Splittings Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/splittings-thought-505676/) [Thought Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-read-505680/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/) ## Related quotes > [“There's a poem by Adrienne Rich I first read twenty years ago called "Splittings" that I thought of when I read your letter. 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