--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Because it is occasionally possible, just…" description: "\"“Because it is occasionally possible, just for brief moments, to find the words that will unlock the doors of all those many mansions inside the head a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/ted-hughes-8662_brief-moments_because-it-is-occasionally-possible-just_2352650.jpg" --- # Because it is occasionally possible, just for brief… ![“Because it is occasionally possible, just for brief moments, to find the words that will unlock the doors of all those many mansions inside the head and express something - perhaps not much, just something - of the crush of information that presses in on us from the way a crow flies over and the…” quote by Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/ted-hughes-8662_brief-moments_because-it-is-occasionally-possible-just_2352650.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/ted-hughes-8662_brief-moments_because-it-is-occasionally-possible-just_2352650.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/ted-hughes-8662_brief-moments_because-it-is-occasionally-possible-just_2352650.jpg) > ““Because it is occasionally possible, just for brief moments, to find the words that will unlock the doors of all those many mansions inside the head and express something - perhaps not much, just something - of the crush of information that presses in on us from the way a crow flies over and the way a man walks and the look of a street and from what we did one day a dozen years ago. Words that will express something of the deep complexity that makes us precisely the way we are, from the momentary effect of the barometer to the force that created men distinct from trees. Something of the inaudible music that moves us along in our bodies from moment to moment like water in a river. Something of the spirit of the snowflake in the water of the river. Something of the duplicity and the relativity and the merely fleeting quality of all this. Something of the almighty importance of it and something of the utter meaninglessness. And when words can manage something of this, and manage it in a moment, of time, and in that same moment, make out of it all the vital signature of a human being - not of an atom, or of a geometrical diagram, or of a heap of lenses - but a human being, we call it poetry.”” [Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote reflects on the fleeting power of words to capture the complex, fleeting, and profound aspects of human experience, turning them into a unique human signature. **In simple terms:** Words can briefly capture deep human complexity. Key Takeaway Seek moments where words reveal inner depth. Themes poetry humanity complexity Mood reflective inspired Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - writing workshops - personal reflection - creative therapy - education - literary analysis Key Concepts language perception existence Questions to Reflect On - How can we use poetry to understand ourselves? - What moments have you felt words unlock a deeper truth? A Different Perspective Words may never fully encapsulate the totality of experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brief moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brief-moments/) [Human Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-poetry-502533/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Meaninglessness Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaninglessness-words-5732554/) [Moments Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments-words-833527/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/) ## Related quotes > [Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/then-i-grasped-the-meaning-of-the-greatest-secret-that-human-poetry/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Rather than numbing or drowning out the difficult-to-describe but urgently sensed feelings that are part of being human, poetry invites us to tease them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-k-smith/rather-than-numbing-or-drowning-out-the-difficult-to-describe-but/) [Tracy K. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-k-smith/) > [Poetry must be human. If it is not human, it is not poetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicente-aleixandre/poetry-must-be-human-if-it-is-not-human-it-is-not-poetry/) [Vicente Aleixandre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicente-aleixandre/) > [Sometimes, in the deepest moments, there are no words. 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It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-condie/our-time-together-feels-like-a-storm-like-wild-wind-and-rain-like/) [Ally Condie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-condie/) > [Allie would love what you've done," he remarked. "She was always a softie when it came to things like this." I folded my hands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/allie-would-love-what-you-ve-done-he-remarked-she-was-always-a-softie/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [Sometimes during the day, I consciously focus on some ordinary object and allow myself a momentary "paying-attention." 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And all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/like-a-wind-crying-endlessly-through-the-universe-time-carries-away/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [Loneliness has little to do with what we do or where we do it, whether we're married or unmarried, optimists or pessimists, heterosexual or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-williams/loneliness-has-little-to-do-with-what-we-do-or-where-we-do-it-whether/) [Rowan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-williams/) > [Chekhov will seek out the key situation in the life of a cabman or a charwoman, and make them glow for a brief moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wilson-lynd/chekhov-will-seek-out-the-key-situation-in-the-life-of-a-cabman-or-a/) [Robert Wilson Lynd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wilson-lynd/) > [As part of our ongoing series of reports on the environment, 'America Goes Green,' we take on the question that can make otherwise competent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-williams/as-part-of-our-ongoing-series-of-reports-on-the-environment-america/) [Brian Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-williams/) ## More by Ted Hughes > [The only calibration that counts is how much heart people invest, how much they ignore their fears of being hurt or caught out or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-hughes/the-only-calibration-that-counts-is-how-much-heart-people-invest-how/) [Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) > [The inmost spirit of poetry, in other words, is at bottom, in every recorded case, the voice of pain – and the physical body,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-hughes/the-inmost-spirit-of-poetry-in-other-words-is-at-bottom-in-every/) [Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) > [“I sit in the top of the wood, my eyes closed. 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Me , evidently .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-hughes/but-who-is-stronger-than-death-me-evidently/) [Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) > [You are who you choose to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-hughes/you-are-who-you-choose-to-be/) [Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) > [Applause is the beginning of abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-hughes/applause-is-the-beginning-of-abuse/) [Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) > [Stilled legendary depth: It was as deep as England. It held Pike too immense to stir, so immense and old That past nightfall I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-hughes/stilled-legendary-depth-it-was-as-deep-as-england-it-held-pike-too/) [Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) > [As Popa penetrates deeper into his life, with book after book, it begins to look like a Universe passing through a Universe. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-hughes/as-popa-penetrates-deeper-into-his-life-with-book-after-book-it/) [Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) > [“I had let it all grow. I had supposed It was all OK. Your life Was a liner I voyaged in. Costly education had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-hughes/i-had-let-it-all-grow-i-had-supposed-it-was-all-ok-your-life-was-a/) [Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) > [He could not stand. It was not That he could not thrive, he was born With everything but the will – That can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-hughes/he-could-not-stand-it-was-not-that-he-could-not-thrive-he-was-born/) [Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) > [“If you're all so peaceful up there, how did you get such greedy and cruel ideas?" The dragon was silent for a long time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-hughes/if-you-re-all-so-peaceful-up-there-how-did-you-get-such-greedy-and/) [Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) > [Do as you like with me. I'm your parcel. I have only our address on me. Open me, or readdress me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-hughes/do-as-you-like-with-me-i-m-your-parcel-i-have-only-our-address-on-me/) [Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) > [The real mystery is this strange need. Why can't we just hide it and shut up? Why do we have to blab? Why do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-hughes/the-real-mystery-is-this-strange-need-why-can-t-we-just-hide-it-and/) [Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) > [With a sudden sharp hot stink of fox, It enters the dark hole of the head. The window is starless still; the clock ticks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-hughes/with-a-sudden-sharp-hot-stink-of-fox-it-enters-the-dark-hole-of-the/) [Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) [Explore all 79 Ted Hughes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) ## More Brief moments quotes > [As part of our ongoing series of reports on the environment, 'America Goes Green,' we take on the question that can make otherwise competent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-williams/as-part-of-our-ongoing-series-of-reports-on-the-environment-america/) [Brian Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-williams/) > [Allie would love what you've done," he remarked. "She was always a softie when it came to things like this." I folded my hands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/allie-would-love-what-you-ve-done-he-remarked-she-was-always-a-softie/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [More than simply capturing brief moments in time, MixBit helps people bring stories to life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-hurley/more-than-simply-capturing-brief-moments-in-time-mixbit-helps-people/) [Chad Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-hurley/) > [Sometimes during the day, I consciously focus on some ordinary object and allow myself a momentary "paying-attention." This paying-attention gives meaning to my life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/sometimes-during-the-day-i-consciously-focus-on-some-ordinary-object/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Chekhov will seek out the key situation in the life of a cabman or a charwoman, and make them glow for a brief moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wilson-lynd/chekhov-will-seek-out-the-key-situation-in-the-life-of-a-cabman-or-a/) [Robert Wilson Lynd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wilson-lynd/) > [Loneliness has little to do with what we do or where we do it, whether we're married or unmarried, optimists or pessimists, heterosexual or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-williams/loneliness-has-little-to-do-with-what-we-do-or-where-we-do-it-whether/) [Rowan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-williams/) > [Like a wind crying endlessly through the universe, Time carries away the names and the deeds of conquerors and commoners alike. And all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/like-a-wind-crying-endlessly-through-the-universe-time-carries-away/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“Life is both sad and solemn. We are let into a wonderful world, we meet one another here, greet each other—and wander together for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jostein-gaarder/life-is-both-sad-and-solemn-we-are-let-into-a-wonderful-world-we-meet/) [Jostein Gaarder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jostein-gaarder/) > [Poetry is perhaps this: an Atemwende, a turning of our breath. Who knows, perhaps poetry goes its way—the way of art—for the sake of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-celan/poetry-is-perhaps-this-an-atemwende-a-turning-of-our-breath-who-knows/) [Paul Celan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-celan/) > [Sometimes when you look back on a situation, you realize it wasn't all you thought it was. 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Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) [Browse all 87 Brief moments quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brief-moments/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Because it is occasionally possible, just for brief moments, to find the words that will unlock the doors of all those many mansions inside the head and express something - perhaps not much, just something - of the crush of information that presses in on us from the way a crow flies over and the way a man walks and the look of a street and from what we did one day a dozen years ago. Words that will express something of the deep complexity that makes us precisely the way we are, from the momentary effect of the barometer to the force that created men distinct from trees. Something of the inaudible music that moves us along in our bodies from moment to moment like water in a river. Something of the spirit of the snowflake in the water of the river. Something of the duplicity and the relativity and the merely fleeting quality of all this. Something of the almighty importance of it and something of the utter meaninglessness. 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