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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker feels like a fiend in a storm, plagued by night, turning away from eastward comforts, while light torments his mind with frantic pain.
In plain terms
He is tormented by darkness and painful thoughts, fleeing from comfort.
What can you take from it?
Mental anguish can feel as oppressive as a storm.

Where it applies

  • anxiety attacks
  • nightmares
  • depression

Putting it to work

  • practice grounding
  • seek light

Questions to consider

  • How does darkness affect mental health?
  • What ‘eastward comforts’ symbolize?

Another view

The vivid imagery may be too abstract for practical coping strategies.

More from William Blake

  1. My silks and fine array, My smiles and languished air, By love are driv'n away; And mournful lean Despair Brings me yew to deck my grave: Such end true lovers …

    Permalink to quote #28
  2. How have you left the ancient love That bards of old enjoyed in you! The languid strings do scarcely move! The sound is forced, the notes are few!

    Permalink to quote #30
  3. He loves to sit and hear me sing, Then, laughing, sports and plays with me; Then stretches out my golden wing, And mocks my loss of liberty.

    Permalink to quote #27

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