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About this quote

What does it mean?
The poet describes a night where a woman will be intimate with a man, while he hears wild birds crying, suggesting a contrast between private intimacy and natural turmoil.
In plain terms
She will be with him, but he hears the harsh cries of wild birds.
What can you take from it?
Intimacy can coexist with external chaos.

Where it applies

  • romantic scenes
  • nighttime reflections

Putting it to work

  • embrace moments despite surrounding noise
  • find calm within chaos

Questions to consider

  • What does the bird’s cry symbolize?
  • How does nature reflect inner emotion?

Another view

The imagery may be overly dramatic for simple intimacy.

More from Patrick MacDonogh

  1. God pity me now and all desolate sinners Demented with beauty!

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  2. O, she walked unaware of her own increasing beauty That was holding men's thoughts from market or plough,

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