--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Breath (from the book Blue Bridge)…" description: "\"“Breath (from the book Blue Bridge) Whispering to myself With every step I take, Trying out names, for I know There is something yet to be called ….. I..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/304/jay-woodman-3412_bird_breath-from-the-book-blue-bridge-whisper_885859.jpg" --- # Breath (from the book Blue Bridge) Whispering to myself… ![“Breath (from the book Blue Bridge) Whispering to myself With every step I take, Trying out names, for I know There is something yet to be called ….. I know it, something up ahead Just around the bend Or over the rise – A bird taking to the sky From the edge of a jagged cliff – A bird floating…” quote by Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/304/jay-woodman-3412_bird_breath-from-the-book-blue-bridge-whisper_885859.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/304/jay-woodman-3412_bird_breath-from-the-book-blue-bridge-whisper_885859.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/304/jay-woodman-3412_bird_breath-from-the-book-blue-bridge-whisper_885859.jpg) > ““Breath (from the book Blue Bridge) Whispering to myself With every step I take, Trying out names, for I know There is something yet to be called ….. I know it, something up ahead Just around the bend Or over the rise – A bird taking to the sky From the edge of a jagged cliff – A bird floating outwards In silence ……. A silence Waiting for a footstep To crunch on stones, For a voice to fling upward Through sharp sunlight With a name…… calling Before the bird could call Before the bird called. Oh the bird was there alright And sure it took flight When it heard me approach But it broke my heart With a mighty croak! So I’m sitting here playing With a purple flower Slender stem, no leaves Purple fizz – And it’s quiet again. I am still I am nothing And the hill Is a long, long slope Down, down, down to the sea Far below. I could roll I could run I could scream But I am nothing. A cool wind blows And the light is naked and nameless And the rocks are faces of angels And the bird in the sky wheels And cries to forget the earth And its ancient bones – Oh, sensual pain – Wings…. Wings…. Wings, Singing wings. If only I could begin To describe the emptiness Which fills me to the brim With new breath I might almost lose my name And take instead a feather for my soul.”” [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The poem explores the search for identity and meaning through vivid natural imagery, expressing longing, uncertainty, and the tension between presence and emptiness. **In simple terms:** Seeking self and purpose amid nature’s symbols. Key Takeaway Embrace uncertainty and let creative expression guide you. Themes identity existence nature creativity longing Mood reflective melancholic hopeful Type poetic philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - writing poetry - meditative walks - artistic contemplation - personal journaling Key Concepts symbolism existentialism poetic introspection Questions to Reflect On - What does the bird symbolize for you? - How can you channel emptiness into creative energy? A Different Perspective The abstract style may obscure concrete guidance for readers seeking practical advice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird/) [Bird Called](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird-called-1099475/) [Bird Taking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird-taking-1099477/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Breath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breath/) [Bridge Whispering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bridge-whispering-1099478/) [Broke my heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broke-my-heart/) [Calling Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calling-bird-1099476/) [Emptiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emptiness/) [Every step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-step/) [Flight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flight/) [Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hill/) [Long Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-long/) [Name](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/name/) [Name calling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/name-calling/) [Names](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/names/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Nothingness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothingness/) [Sky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sky/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Wings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wings/) ## Related quotes > [“That, Echo, is a bird." 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A name seems to hurt forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-park/a-stick-or-a-stone-only-stings-for-a-minute-a-name-seems-to-hurt/) [Barbara Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-park/) > [“Majority of people prefer a good name to a bad name, but to me, anyone can call me anything, as long as it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/majority-of-people-prefer-a-good-name-to-a-bad-name-but-to-me-anyone/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [“Putting someone down with name calling reveals your own low self-esteem.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-richards/putting-someone-down-with-name-calling-reveals-your-own-low-self/) [Stephen Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-richards/) > [Anytime someone disagrees with someone nowadays, we seem to always jump to conclusions with name calling or assuming their intentions. You'll actually be respected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-garner/anytime-someone-disagrees-with-someone-nowadays-we-seem-to-always/) [Luke Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-garner/) > [That was exactly why people didn't want to give us any kind of life, because we were threatening their status quo, and they just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-jett/that-was-exactly-why-people-didn-t-want-to-give-us-any-kind-of-life/) [Joan Jett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-jett/) > [“I don't understand women that call themselves a "bitch". It doesn't empower a woman. Rather, it reveals to everyone that you were deeply hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/i-don-t-understand-women-that-call-themselves-a-bitch-it-doesn-t/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) ## More by Jay Woodman > [“I honour the clarity of the present moment, and the stillness at the centre of being (mine & others), even in the midst of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/i-honour-the-clarity-of-the-present-moment-and-the-stillness-at-the/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [“In every atom, there is a reflection of the whole.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/in-every-atom-there-is-a-reflection-of-the-whole/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [“from CHAOS? Trust the imagination - lines and shapes revealed - space and light instead of blackness. Silence being tentative, tender life of universe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/from-chaos-trust-the-imagination-lines-and-shapes-revealed-space-and/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [“never put all the good people in one plane, ship, train …”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/never-put-all-the-good-people-in-one-plane-ship-train/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [“be the calm eye of the storm where nothing phases you, focus on your centre to remain balanced, let your life flow like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/be-the-calm-eye-of-the-storm-where-nothing-phases-you-focus-on-your/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [“We attract what we're meant to because we're aware & self-empowered enough to choose most of the time. Other times we have lessons to learn”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/we-attract-what-we-re-meant-to-because-we-re-aware-self-empowered/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [“like sunlight under their skins, they want to be loved" from the poem STAY in RidingTheEscalator”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/like-sunlight-under-their-skins-they-want-to-be-loved-from-the-poem/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [“Thou shalt wear trousers, but they shall fall half down to teach humility over arrogance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/thou-shalt-wear-trousers-but-they-shall-fall-half-down-to-teach/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [“ART The world is full of confusion and contradiction. We cannot expect to do anything that is absolutely right. We can only measure rightness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/art-the-world-is-full-of-confusion-and-contradiction-we-cannot-expect/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [“Love is stronger than both fear and hope - if you can love the natural beauty around you, the amazing gifts and skills we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/love-is-stronger-than-both-fear-and-hope-if-you-can-love-the-natural/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [“The soul accepts the mystery within and all around, immersing itself in it, celebrating it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/the-soul-accepts-the-mystery-within-and-all-around-immersing-itself/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [“ego promenades, flounces, pushes in unwanted places, trips, stands on others, whereas a sense of destiny grounds - you just do what you do”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/ego-promenades-flounces-pushes-in-unwanted-places-trips-stands-on/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [“Every moment - something beautiful happens.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/every-moment-something-beautiful-happens/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [“All in tune with love and the slow world moving" from the poem - STAY from the book - RidingTheEscalator”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/all-in-tune-with-love-and-the-slow-world-moving-from-the-poem-stay/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [“When you truly sing, you sing yourself free. When you truly dance, you dance yourself free. When you walk in the mountains or swim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/when-you-truly-sing-you-sing-yourself-free-when-you-truly-dance-you/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) [Explore all 131 Jay Woodman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) ## More Bird quotes > [And I have been very blessed, having coached some of the greatest that have ever played the game. 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He stares…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-schuyler/he-unfixes-the-metal-notch-and-slips-his-hand-around-the-body-of-the/) [Nina Schuyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-schuyler/) > [I would rather learn from one bird how to sing than to teach 10,000 stars how not to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-e-cummings/i-would-rather-learn-from-one-bird-how-to-sing-than-to-teach-10-000/) [e. e. cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-e-cummings/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? 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The familiar surroundings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hardy/meanwhile-the-trees-were-just-as-green-as-before-the-birds-sang-and/) [Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardy/) > [When they started to drain a swamp where birds and fish had lived, for a new housing development down the road from his apartment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maile-meloy/when-they-started-to-drain-a-swamp-where-birds-and-fish-had-lived-for/) [Maile Meloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maile-meloy/) > [The bird with the thorn in its breast, it follows an immutable law; it is driven by it knows not what to impale itself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-mccullough/the-bird-with-the-thorn-in-its-breast-it-follows-an-immutable-law-it/) [Colleen McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-mccullough/) > [Real like sucks the life out of losers. if you want to fuck with the eagles, you must learn how to fly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/real-like-sucks-the-life-out-of-losers-if-you-want-to-fuck-with-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If we studied birds ,maybe we could learn to be free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-alire-s-enz/if-we-studied-birds-maybe-we-could-learn-to-be-free/) [Benjamin Alire Sáenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-alire-s-enz/) [Browse all 4,802 Bird quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Breath (from the book Blue Bridge) Whispering to myself With every step I take, Trying out names, for I know There is something yet to be called ….. I know it, something up ahead Just around the bend Or over the rise – A bird taking to the sky From the edge of a jagged cliff – A bird floating outwards In silence ……. A silence Waiting for a footstep To crunch on stones, For a voice to fling upward Through sharp sunlight With a name…… calling Before the bird could call Before the bird called. Oh the bird was there alright And sure it took flight When it heard me approach But it broke my heart With a mighty croak! So I’m sitting here playing With a purple flower Slender stem, no leaves Purple fizz – And it’s quiet again. I am still I am nothing And the hill Is a long, long slope Down, down, down to the sea Far below. I could roll I could run I could scream But I am nothing. A cool wind blows And the light is naked and nameless And the rocks are faces of angels And the bird in the sky wheels And cries to forget the earth And its ancient bones – Oh, sensual pain – Wings…. Wings…. Wings, Singing wings. 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