--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I remember when you were born, it was…" description: "\"I remember when you were born, it was dawn and the storm settled near my belly. And I rolled in the grass and spit out the gas, and I lit a match and t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/192/patti-smith-394_balls_i-remember-when-you-were-born-it-was-daw_446834.jpg" --- # I remember when you were born, it was dawn and the storm… ![“I remember when you were born, it was dawn and the storm settled near my belly. And I rolled in the grass and spit out the gas, and I lit a match and the void went flash. And the sky split and the planets hit, balls of jade dropped and existence stopped.” quote by Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/192/patti-smith-394_balls_i-remember-when-you-were-born-it-was-daw_446834.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/192/patti-smith-394_balls_i-remember-when-you-were-born-it-was-daw_446834.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/192/patti-smith-394_balls_i-remember-when-you-were-born-it-was-daw_446834.jpg) > “I remember when you were born, it was dawn and the storm settled near my belly. And I rolled in the grass and spit out the gas, and I lit a match and the void went flash. And the sky split and the planets hit, balls of jade dropped and existence stopped.” [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A vivid, surreal memory of birth and cosmic chaos, blending personal and universal creation myths. **In simple terms:** A wild, dreamlike birth scene. Key Takeaway Embrace the mystery of origins. Themes creation cosmic birth memory surrealism Mood wonderful introspective Type poetic visionary When to use this quote - new parenthood - creative writing - artistic inspiration - philosophical contemplation Key Concepts mythology existentialism symbolism Questions to Reflect On - How does this chaotic imagery shape your view of beginnings? - What personal myths do you carry? A Different Perspective The imagery may be too abstract for practical reflection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dawn/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Remember when](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember-when/) [Sky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sky/) [Void](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/void/) ## Related quotes > [“All had this in common: that if they returned from the Empty Quarter - even though their journey might have taken them only a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/all-had-this-in-common-that-if-they-returned-from-the-empty-quarter/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [You know its funny what a young man recollects? Cause I dont remember being born. I dont recall what I got for my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-rambharack/you-know-its-funny-what-a-young-man-recollects-cause-i-dont-remember/) [Glen Rambharack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-rambharack/) > [Everyone should remember being born. It doesn't seem fair that we only remember dying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-destefano/everyone-should-remember-being-born-it-doesn-t-seem-fair-that-we-only/) [Lauren DeStefano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-destefano/) > [“I don't remember where I was before I was born, why should I be worried about where I go after I die?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/i-don-t-remember-where-i-was-before-i-was-born-why-should-i-be/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [I wish I had a memory of that first violent shove, the shock of cold air, the sting of oxygen into new lungs. Everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-destefano/i-wish-i-had-a-memory-of-that-first-violent-shove-the-shock-of-cold/) [Lauren DeStefano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-destefano/) > [Dont go the way life takes you. Take the life the way you go. & remember you are born to live and not living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/dont-go-the-way-life-takes-you-take-the-life-the-way-you-go-remember/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [“For those who say "There is no such thing" just remember, before you were born YOU WERE NO SUCH THING!!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-a-crosbarn/for-those-who-say-there-is-no-such-thing-just-remember-before-you/) T.A. Crosbarn > [Actually I dont remember being born, it must have happened during one of my black outs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/actually-i-dont-remember-being-born-it-must-have-happened-during-one/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have total recall. I remember being born. I remember being in the womb, I remember being inside. Coming out was great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/i-have-total-recall-i-remember-being-born-i-remember-being-in-the/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [Remember you are born to live. Don't live because you are born! Don't go the way life takes you. Take life the way you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/remember-you-are-born-to-live-don-t-live-because-you-are-born-don-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Just remember I was not born yesterday ..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-sami/just-remember-i-was-not-born-yesterday/) [Rita Sami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-sami/) > [“I wish I could remember it. I wish I had a memory of that first violent shove, the shock of cold air, the sting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-destefano/i-wish-i-could-remember-it-i-wish-i-had-a-memory-of-that-first/) [Lauren DeStefano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-destefano/) > [Don't go the way life takes you, take life the way you want to go & remember you are born to live & not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/don-t-go-the-way-life-takes-you-take-life-the-way-you-want-to-go/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [“I don't remember much about being born but I hear it's quite a traumatic experience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-wohl/i-don-t-remember-much-about-being-born-but-i-hear-it-s-quite-a/) [Phil Wohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-wohl/) > [Remember we all was born into this world through God hands,Why You think we all have a brain so we can think and know..Who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frenchqueen/remember-we-all-was-born-into-this-world-through-god-hands-why-you/) FrenchQueen ## More by Patti Smith > [I had a really happy childhood - my siblings were great, my mother was very fanciful, and I loved to read. But there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-had-a-really-happy-childhood-my-siblings-were-great-my-mother-was/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [As a citizen, hopefully I'm humanist. As an artist, I'm free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/as-a-citizen-hopefully-i-m-humanist-as-an-artist-i-m-free/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [ Sometimes \[people\] seem to think I came out of the womb, you know, cursing, with an electric guitar. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/sometimes-people-seem-to-think-i-came-out-of-the-womb-you-know/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“Inside it he inscribed a few lines of poetry, portraying us as the gypsy and the fool, one creating silence; one listening closely to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/inside-it-he-inscribed-a-few-lines-of-poetry-portraying-us-as-the/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Who can know the heart of youth but youth itself?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/who-can-know-the-heart-of-youth-but-youth-itself/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“I clawed through a thick web of the culture’s consciousness that I hadn’t known existed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-clawed-through-a-thick-web-of-the-culture-s-consciousness-that-i/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Ultimately, we are not seeking others to bow to, but to reinforce our individual natures, to help us suffer our own choices, to guide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/ultimately-we-are-not-seeking-others-to-bow-to-but-to-reinforce-our/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [If I'm taking a picture of Brancusi's grave, I know that there's something of him, of his mortal remains, beneath my feet, and there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/if-i-m-taking-a-picture-of-brancusi-s-grave-i-know-that-there-s/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I'm certain, as we filled down the great staircase, that I appeared the same as ever, a moping twelve years-old, all arms and legs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-m-certain-as-we-filled-down-the-great-staircase-that-i-appeared-the/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/in-art-and-dream-may-you-proceed-with-abandon-in-life-may-you-proceed/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [New York is the thing that seduced me. New York is the thing that formed me. New York is the thing that deformed me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/new-york-is-the-thing-that-seduced-me-new-york-is-the-thing-that/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I don't wanna be equal with anybody. I wanna be above equal. I don't think most people are equal to me. I'd like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-don-t-wanna-be-equal-with-anybody-i-wanna-be-above-equal-i-don-t/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I think I'm constantly in a state of adjustment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-think-i-m-constantly-in-a-state-of-adjustment/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Somehow I started introducing writing into my drawings, and after a time, the language took over and I started getting very involved with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/somehow-i-started-introducing-writing-into-my-drawings-and-after-a/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I'm okay with roaming around the world in my bunk for days on end. Maybe every third day I'll get a shower or stumble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-m-okay-with-roaming-around-the-world-in-my-bunk-for-days-on-end/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) [Explore all 595 Patti Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) ## More Balls quotes > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [Once you pull the trigger, you've got to throw balls aggressively and with conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-smith/once-you-pull-the-trigger-you-ve-got-to-throw-balls-aggressively-and/) [Alex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-smith/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. 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