“As birds' wings beat the solid air without which none could fly so words freed by the imagination affirm reality by their flight.”

— William Carlos Williams , book Spring and All

Source: Spring and All

Last update June 3, 2021. History

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William Carlos Williams 83

American poet 1883–1963

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Context: The person who merely watches the flight of a bird gathers the impression that the bird has nothing to think of but the flapping of its wings. As a matter of fact this is a very small part of its mental labor. To even mention all the things the bird must constantly keep in mind in order to fly securely through the air would take a considerable part of the evening. If I take this piece of paper, and after placing it parallel with the ground, quickly let it fall, it will not settle steadily down as a staid, sensible piece of paper ought to do, but it insists on contravening every recognized rule of decorum, turning over and darting hither and thither in the most erratic manner, much after the style of an untrained horse. Yet this is the style of steed that men must learn to manage before flying can become an everyday sport. The bird has learned this art of equilibrium, and learned it so thoroughly that its skill is not apparent to our sight. We only learn to appreciate it when we try to imitate it.

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“As birds' wings beat the solid air without which none could fly so words freed by the imagination affirm reality by their flight.”

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William Carlos Williams 83

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