Darkness Quote by Robert Duncan
““PRELIMINARY EXERCISE: What does a turbine veil? a bird avail what chord? I heard a bird whir no word, felt a turbine shadow turning from the floods of time electric currents the darkness stirrd, and trees in blaze of light arose casting shadows of speech, seductive, musical, abroad. It was a single tree. It was a word of many trees that filld the vale. It was a store of the unspoken in the bird that whirrd the air, that every occasion of the word overawed.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Opening of the Field (excerpt) by Robert Duncan, 1960
The poem blends natural imagery with abstract concepts, exploring the limits of language and perception.
In simple terms: Language can’t fully capture experience.
Key Takeaway
Embrace mystery in expression.
Themes
language
perception
nature
art
mystery
Mood
enigmatic
poetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- art criticism
- mindfulness practice
- teaching poetry
Key Concepts
Symbolism
phenomenology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does imagery shape your understanding of words?
- What role does silence play in meaning?
A Different Perspective
Abstract language may alienate some readers.
