Air Quote by Theodore Roethke
“I have come to a still, but not a deep center, A point outside the glittering current; My eyes stare at the bottom of a river, At the irregular stones, iridescent sandgrains, My mind moves in more than one place, In a country half-land, half-water. I am renewed by death, thought of my death, The dry scent of a dying garden in September, The wind fanning the ash of a low fire. What I love is near at hand, Always, in earth and air.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The River" by Theodore Roethke, 1942
A contemplative meditation on stillness, mortality, and the intimate connection between nature and self, finding renewal in the cycles of life and death.
In simple terms: Finding peace in small moments and nature's cycles.
Key Takeaway
Embrace stillness and reflect on impermanence.
Themes
nature
mortality
reflection
renewal
Mood
reflective
calm
poetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal meditation
- creative writing
- nature walks
- grief processing
Key Concepts
existentialism
transcendence
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- How does observing nature affect your sense of self?
- What does renewal through death mean to you?
A Different Perspective
The language may be abstract, making practical application unclear.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)