Another time Quote by W.S. Merwin
““October" I remember how I would say, “I will gather These pieces together, Any minute now I will make A knife out of a cloud.” Even then the days Went leaving their wounds behind them, But, “Monument,” I kept saying to the grave, “I am still your legend.” There was another time When our hands met and the clocks struck And we lived on the point of a needle, like angels. I have seen the spider’s triumph In the palm of my hand. Above My grave, that thoroughfare, There are words now that can bring My eyes to my feet, tamed. Beyond the trees wearing names that are not their own The paths are growing like smoke. The promises have gone, Gone, gone, and they were here just now. There is the sky where they laid their fish. Soon it will be evening.””
About This Quote
Source Poetry Collection: “The Cloud Knife”, 1998
The poem reflects on creation, loss, and the fleeting nature of memory, using vivid, surreal imagery.
In simple terms: Creating meaning from fleeting moments.
Key Takeaway
Embrace impermanence and create art.
Themes
memory
creation
impermanence
legends
time
Mood
poetic
contemplative
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing
- visual arts
- grief counseling
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
surrealism
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal legends do you carry?
- How do you transform loss into creation?
A Different Perspective
Its abstract style may obscure clear interpretation.
![“The thing that makes poetry different from all other arts [is that] you're using language, which is what you use for everything else--telling lies and selling socks, advertising and conducting law. Whereas we don't write little concerti to each other, or paint pictures.” quote by W.S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d26/w-s-merwin-2-23725_art_the-thing-that-makes-poetry-different-fr_508289.jpg)
