But from my grave across my brow Plays no wind of healing now, And fire and ice within me fight Beneath the suffocating night.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker describes a grave where no healing occurs, only internal conflict between fire and ice.
- In plain terms
- The speaker describes inner turmoil in death without healing.
- What can you take from it?
- Death can contain internal conflict without healing.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is death peaceful or violent?
- Can there be conflict after death?
Another view
This assumes a painful afterlife or internal state after death.
More from A. E. Housman
They carry back bright to the coiner the mintage of man, The lads that will die in their glory and never be old.
Permalink to quote #21 There, like the wind through woods in riot, Through him the gale of life blew high; The tree of man was never quiet: Then 'twas the Roman, now 'tis I.
Permalink to quote #23 The bells they sound on Bredon And still the steeples hum. 'Come all to church, good people,' - Oh, noisy bells, be dumb; I hear you, I will come.
Permalink to quote #20
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