Brothers and sisters Quote by Terrance Hayes
““I am carrying the whimper you can hear when the mouth is collapsed, the wisdom of monkeys. Ask a glass of water why it pities the rain. Ask the lunatic yard dog why it tolerates the leash. Brothers and sisters, when you spend your nights out on a limb, there’s a chance you’ll fall in your sleep.””
About This Quote
The poem juxtaposes absurd imagery with existential vulnerability, highlighting human fragility.
In simple terms: We hear a faint cry of pain, like a monkey’s wisdom, and risk falling while dreaming.
Key Takeaway
Accept vulnerability as part of life.
Themes
existential
fragility
absurdity
Mood
thoughtful
poetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- art analysis
- creative writing
- nighttime reflection
Key Concepts
metaphor
poetic expression
human condition
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the “whimper” symbolize?
- How does absurdity reveal truth?
A Different Perspective
May be obscure for some readers.
![“What are you for? It may be, to a degree, consoling that white brothers and sisters did not vote for [Donald] Trump, and do not participate in that brand of animus, that gas-bagging of enormous bigotry.” quote by Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/01d/michael-eric-dyson-1424_animus_what-are-you-for-it-may-be-to-a-degree-c_14940.jpg)
