Amy Lowell Quotes

Powerful Amy Lowell for Daily Growth

About Amy Lowell

Amy Lowell (February 9, 1874 – May 12, 1925) was an influential American poet known for her innovative Imagist poetry. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, into a prominent family, she was the grandniece of the renowned transcendentalist author James Russell Lowell. After early schooling, Lowell studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and later attended Radcliffe College (now part of Harvard University) without graduating. Her travels, especially her time in Europe, greatly influenced her work and introduced her to the Imagist movement. In 1912, Lowell played a pivotal role in reviving and shaping the Imagist poetry movement, which focused on sharp images and a direct presentation of the poet's sensory impression of a scene or object. Notable Imagist poets included Ezra Pound, Hilda Doolittle (H.D.), and herself. Lowell's major works include: "A Dome of Many-Colored Glass" (1912), which was her first collection to embody the Imagist style; "Sword Blades and Poppy Seeds" (1914); and "Can Grande's Castle" (1916). Her posthumous collection, "Pictures of the Floating World" (1925), was published after her death. Lowell's poetry challenged traditional poetic forms and was characterized by its vivid imagery, emotional intensity, and musical rhythms. Despite her short life, she made a significant impact on modern American poetry. She is remembered as a pioneering figure in the Imagist movement and a trailblazer for women poets.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Artemisia, Artemisia, if I could but touch you with my hands!"

This quote suggests a strong emotional desire or longing for the subject "Artemisia." The speaker wishes to physically connect (through touching) with the object of their fascination or admiration, indicating an intense admiration or love. It could be that the speaker is an artist or historian deeply moved by Artemisia Gentileschi's work as a painter.

"We must make friends with all the dark corners of our nature."

This quote by Amy Lowell encourages us to embrace all aspects of ourselves, even those parts that may seem unsettling or unacceptable. By acknowledging and understanding our darker emotions, fears, and weaknesses, we can grow as individuals and lead more authentic lives. Rather than suppressing these elements, it's essential to face them and learn from them, so we can become more self-aware, compassionate, and resilient in the face of life's challenges.

"The world turns and ages in the fire of feeling."

This quote by Amy Lowell suggests that emotions, or feelings, have a profound impact on the course of life and history. The "fire of feeling" metaphorically represents intense emotions that drive change and evolution in the world. Essentially, the quote conveys the idea that strong emotions are fundamental agents of transformation, shaping the trajectory of time and human experience over generations.

"I have been among the enchanted; their spell is on me."

This quote by Amy Lowell suggests that she has experienced a magical, captivating environment or encounter whose impact remains with her. It implies a strong, profound influence, almost like an enchantment or spell cast over her. The "enchanted" could refer to people, places, ideas, art, or life experiences that have left a lasting impression on her.

"Life is a long lesson in humility."

This quote by Amy Lowell suggests that life is a prolonged process of learning humility, teaching us that we are not the center of the universe, and our abilities, achievements, or status do not exempt us from life's lessons. It encourages us to remain modest in the face of adversity, uncertainty, and the complexities of existence, as these experiences serve to remind us of our limitations and the need for empathy, understanding, and humility towards others and ourselves.

For books are more than books, they are the life, the very heart and core of ages past, the reason why men worked and died, the essence and quintessence of their lives.

- Amy Lowell

Reason, Very, Lives, Quintessence

Hate is ravening vulture beaks descending on a place of skulls.

- Amy Lowell

Hate, Place, Vulture, Descending

Happiness, to some, elation; Is, to others, mere stagnation.

- Amy Lowell

Happiness, Some, Elation, Stagnation

Art is the desire of a man to express himself, to record the reactions of his personality to the world he lives in.

- Amy Lowell

Art, Desire, Himself, Reactions

I am tired, beloved, of chafing my heart against the want of you; of squeezing it into little ink drops, and posting it. And I scald alone, here, under the fire of the great moon.

- Amy Lowell

Here, Against, Squeezing, Beloved

Time! Joyless emblem of the greed of millions, robber of the best which earth can give.

- Amy Lowell

Earth, Give, Which, Robber

Moon! Moon! I am prone before you. Pity me, and drench me in loneliness.

- Amy Lowell

Alone, I Am, Moon, Prone

All books are either dreams or swords, you can cut, or you can drug, with words.

- Amy Lowell

Cut, Either, Books, Swords

Take everything easy and quit dreaming and brooding and you will be well guarded from a thousand evils.

- Amy Lowell

Dreams, Dreaming, Brooding, Guarded

In science, read by preference the newest works. In literature, read the oldest. The classics are always modern.

- Amy Lowell

Literature, Always, Read, Oldest

A man must be sacrificed now and again to provide for the next generation of men.

- Amy Lowell

Generation, Next, Provide, Sacrificed

Let us be of cheer, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never come.

- Amy Lowell

Never, Let Us, Which, Bear

Youth condemns; maturity condones.

- Amy Lowell

Youth, Condemns, Maturity

You are ice and fire the touch of you burns my hands like snow.

- Amy Lowell

Hands, Snow, Like, Fire

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