Journey Quote by Marja-Liisa Vartio
““But like a forest I rise, like a plateau I open, I writhe like roads and fields. I push up trees till they meet with heaven, with the whisper of my trees I embrace the feet of the sky I grow around my hips a thick and bouncing grass, a thousand ravenous root mouths gorge my breasts. My blood I give to the orchid, hanging black trinkets on its ankles and wrists, when it stands with its hardened stem, in the dusk along the roads. My feet numb in the dew I give to the Parnassus grass, as it lifts its black cross towards the moon.””
About This Quote
The poem portrays the self as an organic, ever‑growing entity that merges with nature, emphasizing interconnectedness and transformation.
In simple terms: Self as evolving nature
Key Takeaway
Identity is fluid and rooted
Themes
Nature
Transformation
Interconnectedness
Growth
Mysticism
Mood
Mystical
Reflective
Type
Poetic
Metaphorical
When to use this quote
- Creative writing
- Ecological reflection
- Spiritual meditation
Key Concepts
Organic metaphor
Embodiment
Cyclical renewal
Practical Applications
- Poetic inspiration
- Environmental education
Questions to Reflect On
- How does viewing oneself as part of nature alter personal responsibility?
- What tensions arise between growth and restraint in the metaphor?
![“This afternoon a flock of doves settled on my porch. Their silence took the shape of all I ever wanted to say. Today, the miracle we want aches inside the trees. Why believe anything except what is unbelievable? […] Now the leaves turn into messages that are simply impossible to read. The roots…” quote by Richard Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bb6/richard-jackson-29000_song_this-afternoon-a-flock-of-doves-settled_639358.jpg)
