“It was a mite that held itself most dear,
So small I could have drowned it with a tear.”

—  Karl Shapiro

"Interludes" III, in From Darkness To Light : A Confession of Faith in the form of an Anthology (1956) edited by Victor Gollancz
Context: Then in my heart a fear
Cried out, "A life — why, beautiful, why dead!" It was a mite that held itself most dear,
So small I could have drowned it with a tear.

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "It was a mite that held itself most dear, So small I could have drowned it with a tear." by Karl Shapiro?
Karl Shapiro photo
Karl Shapiro15
Poet, essayist 1913–2000

Related quotes

Aimee Mann photo

“I could almost shed a tear
but let’s shine in the time we have remaining
you’re a tough old gal
but a dog is just a pal
and believe me, my dear,
I’m not complaining”

Aimee Mann (1960) American indie rock singer-songwriter (born 1960)

"Labrador"
Song lyrics, Charmer (2012)

Jon Bon Jovi photo

“You left me drowning in my tears”

Jon Bon Jovi (1962) American singer and musician

Music, New Jersey (1988)

Percy Bysshe Shelley photo

“I weep for Adonais — he is dead!
O, weep for Adonais! though our tears
Thaw not the frost which binds so dear a head!”

Percy Bysshe Shelley Adonaïs

St. I
Adonais (1821)

Emil M. Cioran photo

“True confessions are written with tears only. But my tears would drown the world, as my inner fire would reduce it to ashes.”

Emil M. Cioran (1911–1995) Romanian philosopher and essayist

Source: On the Heights of Despair (1934)

Lewis Carroll photo

“I wish I hadn't cried so much!” said Alice, as she swam about, trying to find her way out.
I shall be punished for it now, I suppose, by being drowned in my own tears!”

Lewis Carroll book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Source: Alice in Wonderland

Menotti Lerro photo

“Tonight I have no desire to sleep. / I want to remain here until morning / writing poetry. / The heart drowns less slowly / when the pen sheds tears / and the paper dries pain.”

Menotti Lerro (1980) Italian poet

Source: The Poetry of Menotti Lerro, p. 55

Stephen King photo

“The scariest, most terrifying thing that I fear?"
Yes."
My Imagination."
I thought you were going to say "Fear, itself."
Then you have a small imagination."
Roland and Eddie”

Stephen King The Dark Tower

Source: The Dark Tower

“[Portraying Godzilla in the water] is the most dangerous part of my job. If I fell over, I could drown. I would never be able to get back up with the Godzilla costume on.”

Kenpachiro Satsuma (1947) Japanese actor

As quoted by David Milner, "Kenpachiro Satsuma Interview I" http://www.davmil.org/www.kaijuconversations.com/satsum.htm, Kaiju Conversations (December 1993)

Arthur Rimbaud photo

“I shed more tears than God could ever have required.”

Arthur Rimbaud book Illuminations

Source: Illuminations

Related topics