Women know the way to rear up children (to be just). They know a simple, merry, tender knack of tying sashes, fitting baby-shoes, and stringing pretty words that make no sense. And kissing full sense into empty words.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
I would build a cloudy House For my thoughts to live in; When for earth too fancy-loose And too low for Heaven! Hush! I talk my dream aloud - I build it bright to see, - I build it on the moonlit cloud, To which I looked with thee.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a desire to create an imaginative and beautiful space for thoughts that transcend earthly limitations.
In this quote, Elizabeth Barrett Browning conveys a longing to construct a figurative 'house' in the clouds for her thoughts, suggesting that her imagination seeks a refuge above the mundane realities of life. This metaphorical abode represents a blend of dreams, creativity, and deep connection with another person, emphasizing the beauty and elevation found in shared aspirations and fantasies.
In practice
This quote can inspire a creative writing workshop focusing on imaginative themes.
Women know the way to rear up children (to be just). They know a simple, merry, tender knack of tying sashes, fitting baby-shoes, and stringing pretty words that make no sense. And kissing full sense into empty words.
She has seen the mystery hid Under Egypt's pyramid: By those eyelids pale and close Now she knows what Rhamses knows.
First time he kissed me, he but only kissed The fingers of this hand wherewith I write; And, ever since, it grew more clean and white.
Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God: But only he who sees takes off his shoes.
Our Euripides the human, With his droppings of warm tears, and his touchings of things common Till they rose to meet the spheres.
Love me sweet With all thou art Feeling, thinking, seeing; Love me in the Lightest part, Love me in full Being.
Wine loved I deeply, dice dearly.
Poetry seems to be the only weapon able to beat language, using language's own means.
I love entertaining people; I strive to make them feel good, and they make me feel wonderful. To explain it simply, I like what I do, and my ambition is to get better as I get older. That's really what I'm all about.
But all art is sensual and poetry particularly so. It is directly, that is, of the senses, and since the senses do not exist without an object for their employment all art is necessarily objective. It doesn't declaim or explain, it presents.
I write in a noisy, distracting world so the books can be read there.
The best books come from someplace inside. You don't write because you want to, but because you have to.
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