--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When it came time to die, we knew and…" description: "\"“When it came time to die, we knew and went to deep yards where we lay down and our bones turned to brass. We were picked over. We were used to fix bro..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ba/paul-harding-11330_death_when-it-came-time-to-die-we-knew-and-wen_1161746.jpg" --- # When it came time to die, we knew and went to deep yards… ![“When it came time to die, we knew and went to deep yards where we lay down and our bones turned to brass. We were picked over. We were used to fix broken clocks, music boxes; our pelvises were fitted onto pinions, our spines soldered into cast works. Our ribs were fitted as gear teeth and tapped…” quote by Paul Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ba/paul-harding-11330_death_when-it-came-time-to-die-we-knew-and-wen_1161746.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ba/paul-harding-11330_death_when-it-came-time-to-die-we-knew-and-wen_1161746.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ba/paul-harding-11330_death_when-it-came-time-to-die-we-knew-and-wen_1161746.jpg) > ““When it came time to die, we knew and went to deep yards where we lay down and our bones turned to brass. We were picked over. We were used to fix broken clocks, music boxes; our pelvises were fitted onto pinions, our spines soldered into cast works. Our ribs were fitted as gear teeth and tapped and clicked like tusks. This is how, finally, we were joined.”” [Paul Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-harding/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage describes a metaphorical afterlife where bodies are repurposed as mechanical parts, suggesting transformation and continuity beyond death. **In simple terms:** Bodies become parts of a larger machine after death. Key Takeaway Embrace the idea of lasting contribution. Themes mortality transformation continuity Mood reflective somber Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - grief processing - creative writing - philosophical discussion Key Concepts metaphor mechanical imagery legacy Questions to Reflect On - How does seeing death as transformation affect mourning? - What parts of yourself do you hope to leave behind? 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