Little Fly, Thy summer's play My thoughtless hand Has brushed away. Am not I A fly like thee? Or art not thou A man like me? For I dance, And drink, and sing, Till some blind hand Shall brush my wing.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The poet reflects on how thoughtless human action can destroy life, drawing a parallel between himself and a fly.
- In plain terms
- I killed a fly without thinking; maybe a blind hand will kill me too.
- What can you take from it?
- Think before acting as fate may treat you similarly.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How thoughtless are your daily actions?
- Do you see life as equal?
Another view
Comparing human life to a fly may minimize human experience.
More from William Blake
O rose, thou art sick! The invisible worm, That flies in the night, In the howling storm, Has found out thy bed Of crimson joy, And his dark secret love Does t…
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Permalink to quote #102 Love seeketh only Self to please, To bind another to its delight, Joys in another's loss of ease, And builds a hell in heaven's despite.
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