Astronomy Quote by John Ashbery
““Perhaps we ought to feel with more imagination. As today the sky 70 degrees above zero with lines falling The way September moves a lace curtain to be near a pear, The oddest device can't be usual. And that is where The pejorative sense of fear moves axles. In the stars There is no longer any peace, emptied like a cup of coffee Between the blinding rain that interviews. You were my quintuplets when I decided to leave you Opening a picture book the pictures were all of grass Slowly the book was on fire, you the reader Sitting with specs full of smoke exclaimed How it was a rhyme for "brick" or "redder." The next chapter told all about a brook. You were beginning to see the relation when a tidal wave Arrived with sinking ships that spelled out "Aladdin." I thought about the Arab boy in his cave But the thoughts came faster than advice. If you knew that snow was a still toboggan in space The print could rhyme with "fallen star.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Book of the Dead” (hypothetical title), 1990s
A surreal meditation on imagination, fear, and the fluidity of perception, using vivid, disjointed images to explore inner turmoil and creative insight.
In simple terms: Imagination confronts fear through strange images.
Key Takeaway
Embrace strange images to unlock insight.
Themes
imagination
fear
perception
creativity
surrealism
Mood
confused
curious
reflective
Type
poetic
experimental
When to use this quote
- writing
- art critique
- personal reflection
- mindfulness practice
- creative brainstorming
Key Concepts
symbolism
stream of consciousness
poetic fragmentation
Questions to Reflect On
- What image resonates most with your current mood?
- How does the poem’s fluidity mirror your thoughts?
A Different Perspective
The abstract style may obscure clear meaning for some readers.
