Burden Quote by Sara Teasdale
“My theory is that poems are written because of a state of emotional irritation. It may be present for some time before the poet is conscious of what is tormenting him. The emotional irritation springs, probably, from subconscious combinations of partly forgotten thoughts and feelings. Coming together, like electrical currents in a thunder storm, they produce a poem. ... the poem is written to free the poet from an emotional burden.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Poetry of Emotion, 1915
Poetry emerges when unresolved feelings build up, then burst into words, relieving the poet’s inner tension.
In simple terms: Poems release built‑up emotional tension.
Key Takeaway
Write to unload inner turmoil.
Themes
creativity
emotion
expression
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- writing therapy
- personal journaling
- artistic inspiration
- emotional processing
Key Concepts
psychology
subconscious
catharsis
Questions to Reflect On
- What feelings linger before you write?
- How does writing change your emotional state?
A Different Perspective
May not capture all subconscious sources; some poems arise from joy.
