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Cooking Quote by Louis MacNeice

“Fanfare for the Makers A cloud of witnesses. To whom? To what? To the small fire that never leaves the sky. To the great fire that boils the daily pot. To all the things we are not remembered by, Which we remember and bless. To all the things That will not notice when we die, Yet lend the passing…” quote by Louis MacNeice
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““Fanfare for the Makers A cloud of witnesses. To whom? To what? To the small fire that never leaves the sky. To the great fire that boils the daily pot. To all the things we are not remembered by, Which we remember and bless. To all the things That will not notice when we die, Yet lend the passing moment words and wings. So fanfare for the Makers: who compose A book of words or deeds who runs may write As many who do run, as a family grows At times like sunflowers turning towards the light. As sometimes in the blackout and the raids One joke composed an island in the night. As sometimes one man’s kindness pervades A room or house or village, as sometimes Merely to tighten screws or sharpen blades Can catch a meaning, as to hear the chimes At midnight means to share them, as one man In old age plants an avenue of limes And before they bloom can smell them, before they span The road can walk beneath the perfected arch, The merest greenprint when the lives began Of those who walk there with him, as in default Of coffee men grind acorns, as in despite Of all assaults conscripts counter assault, As mothers sit up late night after night Moulding a life, as miners day by day Descend blind shafts, as a boy may flaunt his kite In an empty nonchalant sky, as anglers play Their fish, as workers work and can take pride In spending sweat before they draw their pay. As horsemen fashion horses while they ride, As climbers climb a peak because it is there, As life can be confirmed even in suicide: To make is such. Let us make. And set the weather fair. Louis Macneice””

Louis MacNeice

About This Quote

Source Poem: “Fanfare for the Makers” by Louis MacNeice, 1940s

The poem celebrates ordinary acts and unnoticed contributions that collectively shape life and memory.

In simple terms: Every small deed matters and builds a larger story.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and honor everyday contributions.

Themes

gratitude humanity legacy community creativity

Mood

reflective hopeful inspirational

Type

literary poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • family life
  • community service
  • artistic creation
  • daily work
  • small kindnesses

Key Concepts

existentialism collective memory ordinary heroism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What unnoticed acts have shaped your life?
  • How can we better recognize hidden contributions?
A Different Perspective

It may overlook systemic injustices that hide many contributions.

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