Caretaking Quote by Mark Doty
““I’d write and read and let myself, a little at a time, step down into myself- like a stairway down into a dark, intimate kiva- where the work of vigil is taking place, the necessary attending. I imagine there’s a little fire burning in there, a few steadily glowing embers, and a quiet chant going on, from me, from some singer in me, honoring and accompanying W’s soul, which is with him as he is making his passage. ..there’s a leavetaking in process, a movement towards increasing simplicity, away from complexity, activity, expectation. The bout of paranoia, with a childlike quality of being threatened, seems part of that-like a day or two when he couldn’t just let go and float on the energies of other people, who are bearing him up-but had to doubt them, struggle. So much better when he can trust and float. There’s enough love around him to carry him now…””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Untitled, from collection "The Book of Hours", 2004
The poet describes an inward journey toward simplicity, confronting fear, and trusting love as a guiding light.
In simple terms: Going inward, confronting fear, trusting love.
Key Takeaway
Embrace inner silence and trust.
Themes
introspection
spirituality
trust
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
Type
reflective
inspirational
When to use this quote
- meditation
- grief processing
- creative writing
- personal growth
Key Concepts
psychology
self‑care
transcendence
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance inner work with external connections?
- What rituals help you trust the love around you?
A Different Perspective
The process can be painful and may isolate one from others.
![“There is no neediness in desire ... there is no caretaking in desire. Caretaking is mightily loving, [but] it's a powerful anti-aphrodisiac.” quote by Esther Perel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b43/esther-perel-3265_aphrodisiac_there-is-no-neediness-in-desire-there-is_1628781.jpg)
![“Not only do our wives need support, but our children need our deep involvement in their lives. If this period [the early years] ofprimitive needs and primitive caretaking passes without us, it is lost forever. We can be involved in other ways, but never again on this profoundly intimate level.” quote by Augustus Napier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3a2/augustus-napier-54501_caretaking_not-only-do-our-wives-need-support-but-o_2399582.jpg){kind=icon}
