The rosy hearth, the lamplight's narrow beam, The meditation that is rather dream, With looks that lose themselves in cherished looks; The hour of steaming tea and banished books; The sweetness of the evening at an end, The dear fatigue, and right to rest attained, And worshipped expectation of the night,— Oh, all these things, in unrelenting flight, My dream pursues through all the vain delays, Impatient of the weeks, mad at the days!
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the fleeting nature of pleasant moments and the yearning for rest and contentment in life.
Paul Verlaine's quote captures a nostalgic sentiment about the simple joys and comforts in life, such as enjoying evening tea and the warmth of cherished moments. It emphasizes the inevitable passage of time and how our dreams and expectations often make us restless as we yearn for those peaceful instants, feeling frustrated with delays that keep us from experiencing rest and fulfillment.
In practice
This quote could be used in a speech about appreciating life's simple moments during a family gathering.
What the myths say, is that you have to be the hero of your own life. You're the one who has to take charge of who you are, you're the one who has to take control. And also, you're the one who can bring something to the community.
Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that - one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery.
You can live your whole life in your brain and not experience what's around you. You go crazy that way. That's why I have to watch myself when I get isolated for too long.
Women piece together their lives from the scraps left over for them.
I knew after my first lesson what I wanted to do with my life.
There's something about death that is comforting. The thought that you could die tomorrow frees you to appreciate your life now.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.