Brook Quote by Emily Dickinson
““HAVE you got a brook in your little heart, Where bashful flowers blow, And blushing birds go down to drink, And shadows tremble so? And nobody, knows, so still it flows, 5 That any brook is there; And yet your little draught of life Is daily drunken there. Then look out for the little brook in March, When the rivers overflow, 10 And the snows come hurrying from the hills, And the bridges often go. And later, in August it may be, When the meadows parching lie, Beware, lest this little brook of life 15 Some burning noon go dry!””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Unpublished manuscript, circa 1860s
The poem likens the heart to a small brook that flows quietly, urging awareness of its subtle presence before it dries in harsh conditions.
In simple terms: Heart is a quiet brook needing care before it dries.
Key Takeaway
Notice and nurture subtle inner life.
Themes
sareness
fragility
nature
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
poetic
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- mental health
- seasonal change
- self‑care
Key Concepts
Poetry
metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you notice subtle inner signals?
- What nurtures your inner brook?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may be too abstract for practical guidance.
