Children Quote by Judith Wright
““Two Songs For The World's End I Bombs ripen on the leafless tree under which the children play. And there my darling all alone dances in the spying day. I gave her nerves to feel her pain, I put her mortal beauty on. I taught her love that hate might find, its black work the easier done. I sent her out alone to play; and I must watch, and I must hear, how underneath the leafless tree, the children dance and sing with Fear. II Lighted by the rage of time where the blind and dying weep, in my shadow take your sleep, though wakeful I. Sleep unhearing while I pray - Should the red tent of the sky fall to fold your time away, wake to weep before you die. Die believing all is true that love your maker said to you Still believe that had you lived you would have found love, world, sight, sound, sorrow, beauty - all true. Grieve for death your moment - grieve. The world, the lover you must take, is the murderer you will meet. But if you die before you wake never think death sweet.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Two Songs For The World’s End” by Judith Wright, 1974
The poem juxtaposes innocence of children playing under a leafless tree with looming death and existential dread, urging awareness of mortality while clinging to love and truth.
In simple terms: Life’s fragility and love persist amid death.
Embrace love, confront mortality.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- grief
- reflection
- artistic expression
- personal meditation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile love with inevitable loss?
- What does “the world is the murderer you will meet” mean to you?
Life’s brevity can inspire fear or deeper appreciation; not all find meaning.