Feathers Quote by Margaret Atwood
““The willow is full plumage and is no help, with its insinuating whispers. Rendevous, it says. Terraces; the sibilants run up my spine, a shiver as if in fever. The summer dress rustles against the flesh of my thighs, the grass grows underfoot, at the edges of my eyes there are movements, in the branches; feathers, flittings, grace notes, tree into bird, metamorphosis run wild. Goddesses are possible now and the air suffuses with desire... Winter is not so dangerous. I need hardness, cold, rigidity; not this heaviness, as if I'm a melon on a stem, this liquid ripeness. ””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Unspecified collection, likely from Margaret Atwood’s later poetry, 2020s
The speaker contrasts delicate, sensual summer sensations with a yearning for the stark, resilient qualities of winter, seeking strength over softness.
In simple terms: Desire for strength over softness.
Key Takeaway
Embrace resilience, seek balance.
Themes
nature
desire
transformation
strength
seasonality
Mood
reflective
intense
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- summer intimacy
- winter introspection
- creative writing
- personal growth
Key Concepts
sensory imagery
metaphor
dualism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does seasonal metaphor shape your inner conflicts?
- What does “hardness” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
Winter’s harshness may also bring isolation and emotional coldness.
