William Carlos Williams: Quotes about love

William Carlos Williams was American poet. Explore interesting quotes on love.
William Carlos Williams: 166 quotes4 likes

“I lie here thinking of you: the stain of love is upon the world!”

William Carlos Williams book Al Que Quiere!

"Love Song"
Al Que Quiere! (1917)

“Not now. Love itself a flower
with roots in a parched ground.”

William Carlos Williams

"Raleigh Was Right" (1940)
Collected Later Poems (1950)
Context: Not now. Love itself a flower
with roots in a parched ground.
Empty pockets make empty heads.
Cure it if you can but
do not believe that we can live
today in the country
for the country will bring us
no peace.

“It is at the edge of the
petal that love waits”

William Carlos Williams book Spring and All

Source: Spring and All

“Of asphodel, that greeny flower,

::like a buttercup

::::upon its branching stem —

save that's green and wooden —

::I come, my sweet,

::::to sing to you.

We lived long together,

::a life filled,

::::if you will,

with flowers. So that

::I was cheered

::::when I first came to know

that there were flowers also

::in hell.

::::Today

I'm filled with the fading memory of those flowers

::that we both loved,

::::even to this poor

colorless thing —

::I saw it

::::when I was a child —

little prized among the living

::but the dead see,

::::asking among themselves:

What do I remember

::that was shaped

::::as this thing is shaped?
while our eyes fill
::with tears.
::::Of love, abiding love
it will be telling
::though too weak a wash of crimson
::::colors it
to make it wholly credible.
::There is something
::::something urgent
I have to say to you
::and you alone
::::but it must wait
while I drink in
::the joy of your approach,
::::perhaps for the last time.
And so
::with fear in my heart
::::I drag it out
and keep on talking
::for I dare not stop.”

William Carlos Williams book Journey to Love

Journey to Love (1955), Asphodel, That Greeny Flower

“He's come out of the man
and he's let
the man go —

the liar
Dead

his eyes

rolled up out of
the light — a mockery

which

love cannot touch — just bury it
and hide its face
for shame.”

William Carlos Williams

"Death"
Collected Poems 1921-1931 (1934)