--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I write poetry because I can’t disobey…" description: "\"I write poetry because I can’t disobey the impulse; it would be like blocking a spring that surges up in my throat. For a long time I’ve been the serva..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebb/gabriela-mistral-21705_because-i-can_i-write-poetry-because-i-can-t-disobey-t_2429349.jpg" --- # I write poetry because I can’t disobey the impulse; it… ![“I write poetry because I can’t disobey the impulse; it would be like blocking a spring that surges up in my throat. For a long time I’ve been the servant of the song that comes, that appears and can’t be buried away. How to seal myself up now?…It no longer matters to me who receives what I submit…” quote by Gabriela Mistral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebb/gabriela-mistral-21705_because-i-can_i-write-poetry-because-i-can-t-disobey-t_2429349.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebb/gabriela-mistral-21705_because-i-can_i-write-poetry-because-i-can-t-disobey-t_2429349.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebb/gabriela-mistral-21705_because-i-can_i-write-poetry-because-i-can-t-disobey-t_2429349.jpg) > “I write poetry because I can’t disobey the impulse; it would be like blocking a spring that surges up in my throat. For a long time I’ve been the servant of the song that comes, that appears and can’t be buried away. How to seal myself up now?…It no longer matters to me who receives what I submit. What I carry out is, in that respect, greater and deeper than I, I am merely the channel.” [Gabriela Mistral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriela-mistral/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The poet feels compelled to write, seeing herself as a conduit for a deeper, unstoppable creative force beyond personal control. **In simple terms:** Poetry is a forced, higher voice. Key Takeaway Allow the creative impulse to flow. Themes creativity impulse artistry identity expression Mood inspired introspective Type artistic motivational When to use this quote - writing workshops - therapy - performance art - personal journaling Key Concepts creative drive channeling self‑transcendence Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to be a vessel for art? - How can one balance impulse with craft? A Different Perspective Reliance on impulse may lead to burnout or loss of discipline. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Seals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seals/) [Servant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servant/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Spring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spring/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [He neither serves nor rules, he transmits. His position is humble and the beauty at the crown is not his own. He is merely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/he-neither-serves-nor-rules-he-transmits-his-position-is-humble-and/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > ["I want to be always happy," Maxine Hong Kingston announces . 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The reason for this was probably because I had stayed away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuriy-tarnawsky/it-is-true-that-i-didn-t-write-any-poetry-between-1995-and-2011-the/) [Yuriy Tarnawsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuriy-tarnawsky/) > [I write poetry to figure things out. It's what I use as a navigating tool in my life, so when there's something that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-kay/i-write-poetry-to-figure-things-out-it-s-what-i-use-as-a-navigating/) [Sarah Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-kay/) > [I would love to write a script, for sure. I write poetry and songs. 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I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriela-mistral/in-the-secret-of-night-my-prayer-climbs-like-the-liana-my-prayer-is/) [Gabriela Mistral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriela-mistral/) > [At this moment, by an undeserved stroke of fortune, I am the direct voice of the poets of my race and the indirect voice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriela-mistral/at-this-moment-by-an-undeserved-stroke-of-fortune-i-am-the-direct/) [Gabriela Mistral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriela-mistral/) > [Love beauty it is the shadow of God on the universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriela-mistral/love-beauty-it-is-the-shadow-of-god-on-the-universe/) [Gabriela Mistral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriela-mistral/) > [Now my belly is as noble as my heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriela-mistral/now-my-belly-is-as-noble-as-my-heart/) [Gabriela Mistral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriela-mistral/) > [Let the earth look at me, and bless me, for now I am fecund and sacred, like the palms and the furrows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriela-mistral/let-the-earth-look-at-me-and-bless-me-for-now-i-am-fecund-and-sacred/) [Gabriela Mistral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriela-mistral/) > [Many things we need can wait. 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To him we cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriela-mistral/many-things-we-need-can-wait-the-child-cannot-now-is-the-time-his/) [Gabriela Mistral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriela-mistral/) > [I have all that I lost and I go carrying my childhood like a favorite flower that perfumes my hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriela-mistral/i-have-all-that-i-lost-and-i-go-carrying-my-childhood-like-a-favorite/) [Gabriela Mistral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriela-mistral/) > [For me, religiosity is ... the constant remembrance of the presence of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriela-mistral/for-me-religiosity-is-the-constant-remembrance-of-the-presence-of-the/) [Gabriela Mistral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriela-mistral/) [Explore all 24 Gabriela Mistral quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriela-mistral/) ## More Because i can quotes > [I never write Metropolis for seven cents because I can get the same price for city. 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