--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But it's the eyes that hold me captive…" description: "\"“But it's the eyes that hold me captive, empty of concentric creek ripples and breezy tree branches playing the sky like my bow plays my violin.”\" — Em..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae6/emily-murdoch-22785_tree-branches_but-it-s-the-eyes-that-hold-me-captive-e_2185849.jpg" --- # But it's the eyes that hold me captive, empty of… ![“But it's the eyes that hold me captive, empty of concentric creek ripples and breezy tree branches playing the sky like my bow plays my violin.” quote by Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae6/emily-murdoch-22785_tree-branches_but-it-s-the-eyes-that-hold-me-captive-e_2185849.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae6/emily-murdoch-22785_tree-branches_but-it-s-the-eyes-that-hold-me-captive-e_2185849.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae6/emily-murdoch-22785_tree-branches_but-it-s-the-eyes-that-hold-me-captive-e_2185849.jpg) > ““But it's the eyes that hold me captive, empty of concentric creek ripples and breezy tree branches playing the sky like my bow plays my violin.”” [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker feels trapped by empty, distant eyes, likened to natural imagery that mirrors music. **In simple terms:** Empty eyes feel captive, compared to nature and music. Key Takeaway Notice how visual emptiness can evoke emotional confinement. Themes art perception emotion Mood contemplative poetic Type literary expressive When to use this quote - personal reflection - creative writing - visual arts Key Concepts metaphor sensory imagery Questions to Reflect On - What does “empty eyes” symbolize for you? - How does music influence visual metaphor? A Different Perspective Interpretation may vary widely among readers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“I cannot guarantee my attendance tomorrow morning," Merribeth said in all seriousness. "I distinctly heard my coverlet and pillow conspiring to hold me captive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-lorret/i-cannot-guarantee-my-attendance-tomorrow-morning-merribeth-said-in/) [Vivienne Lorret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-lorret/) > [Anything you strive to hold captive will hold you captive, and if you desire freedom you must give freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/anything-you-strive-to-hold-captive-will-hold-you-captive-and-if-you/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [Face your fears and stop allowing the mind to hold you captive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mooji/face-your-fears-and-stop-allowing-the-mind-to-hold-you-captive/) [Mooji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mooji/) > [“Her eyes will hold your eyes captive, and she’ll take the air out your lungs with just a smile. Her laugh, well shit……. her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-elliott/her-eyes-will-hold-your-eyes-captive-and-she-ll-take-the-air-out-your/) [Kelly Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-elliott/) > [Her eyes hold the pale moon in them, the way a still pond holds stars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-applegate/her-eyes-hold-the-pale-moon-in-them-the-way-a-still-pond-holds-stars/) [Katherine Applegate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-applegate/) > [This is me tonight There's no more games and no more lies And I know it's right Cause of the way you look into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-rafael/this-is-me-tonight-there-s-no-more-games-and-no-more-lies-and-i-know/) Aj Rafael > [“Finn, what am I going to do with you?” His smile is an easy glide, but his eyes hold mine a beat too long.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-callihan/finn-what-am-i-going-to-do-with-you-his-smile-is-an-easy-glide-but/) [Kristen Callihan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-callihan/) > [“His eyes hold mine and won’t let go. “Because we are all dying?” “Yes, And a kiss is a spark of life in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-c-martin/his-eyes-hold-mine-and-won-t-let-go-because-we-are-all-dying-yes-and/) [K.C. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-c-martin/) > [Its over - so I close my eyes, hold back the tears, and pretend I'm ok, I'll look back one more time, knowing things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana/its-over-so-i-close-my-eyes-hold-back-the-tears-and-pretend-i-m-ok-i/) [Ana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana/) > [“When i was a kid, I liked to cover my eyes and walk around. I would use my hands to find my way through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-was-a-kid-i-liked-to-cover-my-eyes-and-walk-around-i-would-use/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes when I say, I'm okay. I want someone to look me in the eyes, hold me tight, and say, I know you're not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-when-i-say-i-m-okay-i-want-someone-to-look-me-in-the-eyes-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Your eyes hold all the answers to my life's problems.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avijeet-das/your-eyes-hold-all-the-answers-to-my-life-s-problems/) [Avijeet Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avijeet-das/) > [I raise my left arm and twist my neck down to rip off the pill on my sleeve. Instead my teeth sink into flesh.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-raise-my-left-arm-and-twist-my-neck-down-to-rip-off-the-pill-on-my/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I want to live where soul meets body And let the sun wrap its arms around me And bathe my skin in water cool…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/death-cab-for-cutie/i-want-to-live-where-soul-meets-body-and-let-the-sun-wrap-its-arms/) [Death Cab for Cutie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/death-cab-for-cutie/) > [First meeting, so long in the making. We stand apart in light rain, unable to move. I go to her. Standing before her I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nickel/first-meeting-so-long-in-the-making-we-stand-apart-in-light-rain/) [Eric Nickel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nickel/) ## More by Emily Murdoch > [“I don't tell him I couldn't have gorged if I'd tried, my stomach stuffed full of butterflies and grown-up worries.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/i-don-t-tell-him-i-couldn-t-have-gorged-if-i-d-tried-my-stomach/) [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) > [“The snow wears moonlight like perfume.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/the-snow-wears-moonlight-like-perfume/) [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) > [“My stomach squirms like worms (in a good way) just thinking about him. And I reckon when love's in short supply, you know it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/my-stomach-squirms-like-worms-in-a-good-way-just-thinking-about-him/) [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) > [“We make attachments to what's familiar. We find the beauty, even in the lack. That's human. We make the best of what we're given.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/we-make-attachments-to-what-s-familiar-we-find-the-beauty-even-in-the/) [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) > [“My life's a tangle of past and present, like two separate puzzles with their pieces tumbled together. Nothing fits.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/my-life-s-a-tangle-of-past-and-present-like-two-separate-puzzles-with/) [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) > [“Wherever you are, I'll be there. Remember?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/wherever-you-are-i-ll-be-there-remember/) [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) > [“Fake it through until you make it true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/fake-it-through-until-you-make-it-true/) [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) > [“I answer her with my silence, understanding the full power of it for the first time. Words are weapons. Weapons are powerful. So are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/i-answer-her-with-my-silence-understanding-the-full-power-of-it-for/) [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) > [“If you find me, take me home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/if-you-find-me-take-me-home/) [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) > [“I hate her with the fury of gasoline set on fire. I burn for Jenessa, who deserves better than this, better than some screwed-up,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/i-hate-her-with-the-fury-of-gasoline-set-on-fire-i-burn-for-jenessa/) [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) > [“In a sea of trees turned into a sea of total strangers, familiar means everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/in-a-sea-of-trees-turned-into-a-sea-of-total-strangers-familiar-means/) [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) > [“He had spoken in a whisper and she answered in one – though perhaps not how he had expected. “Do you not find it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/he-had-spoken-in-a-whisper-and-she-answered-in-one-though-perhaps-not/) [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) > [“But I like how free sounds all poetic-like.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/but-i-like-how-free-sounds-all-poetic-like/) [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) > [“Mama says no matter how poor folks are, whether you’re a have, a have-not, or break your mama’s back on the cracks in between,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/mama-says-no-matter-how-poor-folks-are-whether-you-re-a-have-a-have/) [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) > [“Happiness is a song that plays you when you share it with the people who matter the most”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/happiness-is-a-song-that-plays-you-when-you-share-it-with-the-people/) [Emily Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) [Explore all 27 Emily Murdoch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/) ## More Captive quotes > [“Looking out the rain-fogged window at the gray November day, Mary felt almost grateful for the snug warmth of her well-heated chamber. Escape, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-george/looking-out-the-rain-fogged-window-at-the-gray-november-day-mary-felt/) [Margaret George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-george/) > [“Cathy, don't look so defeated. She was only trying to put us down again. Maybe nothing did work out right for her, but that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-c-andrews/cathy-don-t-look-so-defeated-she-was-only-trying-to-put-us-down-again/) [V.C. Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-c-andrews/) > [My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sandburg/my-name-is-truth-and-i-am-the-most-elusive-captive-in-the-universe/) [Carl Sandburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sandburg/) > [Make me a captive Lord, then I shall be truly free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/make-me-a-captive-lord-then-i-shall-be-truly-free/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [“Trauma is personal. It does not disappear if it is not validated. When it is ignored or invalidated the silent screams continue internally heard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-bernock/trauma-is-personal-it-does-not-disappear-if-it-is-not-validated-when/) [Danielle Bernock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-bernock/) > [“He knew that no matter what, this woman, once his blood slave, then his greatest downfall, and finally his salvation would never fail to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-stevens/he-knew-that-no-matter-what-this-woman-once-his-blood-slave-then-his/) [Erica Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-stevens/) > [“Every person I save is another victory against the evil that festers in this world and I will not rest until every captive is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kinley-macgregor/every-person-i-save-is-another-victory-against-the-evil-that-festers/) [Kinley MacGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kinley-macgregor/) > [“One of the worst cases of employee abuse that I witnessed in the workplace was a toxic manager holding employees captive in a remote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/one-of-the-worst-cases-of-employee-abuse-that-i-witnessed-in-the/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“I wonder which one of us is more despicable.Is it the person relentlessly chasing after love or the person desperately holding it captive? We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dahlia-lu/i-wonder-which-one-of-us-is-more-despicable-is-it-the-person/) [Dahlia Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dahlia-lu/) > [Our bodies are held captive, but our pursuit of freedom cannot be contained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/our-bodies-are-held-captive-but-our-pursuit-of-freedom-cannot-be/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [The rise of digital technology put marketers in a bind. No longer a captive audience, consumers were splitting their time across devices, social networks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-amos/the-rise-of-digital-technology-put-marketers-in-a-bind-no-longer-a/) [Shawn Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-amos/) > [Oh, Jacques, we're used to each other, we're a pair of captive hawks caught in the same cage, and so we've grown used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/oh-jacques-we-re-used-to-each-other-we-re-a-pair-of-captive-hawks/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [“Damn, Ian was already there. I braced myself as he came out from behind the RV. He sniffed, his nose wrinkling. Then he looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/damn-ian-was-already-there-i-braced-myself-as-he-came-out-from-behind/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) > [In 'Falling Skies,' I was playing a soldier and a fighter, and then, when I was taken captive, you're still in this post-apocalyptic world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessy-schram/in-falling-skies-i-was-playing-a-soldier-and-a-fighter-and-then-when/) [Jessy Schram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessy-schram/) > [Cage of freedom, that's our prison; we're the jailer and captive combined Cage of freedom, cast in power; all the trappings of our own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-anderson/cage-of-freedom-that-s-our-prison-we-re-the-jailer-and-captive/) [Jon Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-anderson/) Browse all 138 Captive quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“But it's the eyes that hold me captive, empty of concentric creek ripples and breezy tree branches playing the sky like my bow plays my violin.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Emily Murdoch" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/but-it-s-the-eyes-that-hold-me-captive-empty-of-concentric-creek/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Captive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/but-it-s-the-eyes-that-hold-me-captive-empty-of-concentric-creek/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae6/emily-murdoch-22785_tree-branches_but-it-s-the-eyes-that-hold-me-captive-e_2185849.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae6/emily-murdoch-22785_tree-branches_but-it-s-the-eyes-that-hold-me-captive-e_2185849.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae6/emily-murdoch-22785_tree-branches_but-it-s-the-eyes-that-hold-me-captive-e_2185849.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“But it's the eyes that hold me captive, empty of concentric creek ripples and breezy tree branches playing…” — Emily Murdoch", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Emily Murdoch", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-murdoch/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“But it's the eyes that hold...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/but-it-s-the-eyes-that-hold-me-captive-empty-of-concentric-creek/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-murdoch/but-it-s-the-eyes-that-hold-me-captive-empty-of-concentric-creek/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```