Art Quote by Kenneth Rexroth
“Now I know surely and forever, However much I have blotted our Waking love, its memory is still there. And I know the web, the net, The blind and crippled bird. For then, for One brief instant it was not blind, nor Trapped, not crippled. For one heart beat the Heart was free and moved itself. O love, I who am lost and damned with words, Whose words are a business and an art, I have no words. These words, this poem, this Is all confusion and ignorance. But I know that coached by your sweet heart, My heart beat one free beat and sent Through all my flesh the blood of truth.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: Unnamed poem by Kenneth Rexroth, 20th century poet
The speaker reflects on love’s enduring presence despite loss, describing a fleeting moment of freedom and truth within a heart constrained by words and suffering.
In simple terms: Love persists despite loss; a brief moment of freedom reveals truth.
Key Takeaway
Seek moments of authentic feeling beyond language.
Themes
love
loss
truth
freedom
art
Mood
melancholic
hopeful
contemplative
Type
poetic
philosophical
emotive
When to use this quote
- personal grief
- creative writing
- emotional healing
- spiritual awakening
Key Concepts
existentialism
romanticism
poetic expression
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you experience love’s truth beyond words?
- What does a “free beat” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
The poem’s abstract language may obscure practical guidance for readers.
