Breaths Quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“The trees are white with dust, that o'er their sleep Wave their broad curtains in the south-wind's breath, While underneath such leafy tents they keep The long, mysterious Exodus of Death.”
About This Quote
The poem depicts a stark, dust‑laden forest where the wind moves through the trees, suggesting that beneath the serene canopy lies an inevitable, mysterious procession of death.
In simple terms: Nature masks inevitable mortality.
Key Takeaway
Death is hidden within beauty.
Themes
mortality
nature
mystery
impermanence
death
Mood
somber
reflective
eerie
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- reflecting on loss
- contemplating the unknown
- writing poetry
- studying literary symbolism
Key Concepts
symbolism
contrast
nature imagery
Practical Applications
- literary analysis
- creative writing
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the dust symbolize?
- How does the wind affect the mood?
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![“I read the text; and then I come to the Shirat ha-Yam, to the Song of the Sea [Exodus 15], to the poetry. Who could have written such a poem except someone who went through it? It is so full of life, so full of truth, of passion, of concern. And the thousands and thousands of commentaries in the…” quote by Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/590/elie-wiesel-341_attributes_i-read-the-text-and-then-i-come-to-the-s_340239.jpg)
