"There are moments, above all on June evenings, when the lakes that hold our moons are sucked into the earth, and nothing is left but wine and the touch of a hand"
About this Quote
The quote by Charles Morgan perfectly records a minute of change and short lived transcendence. At the surface area, it evokes the peaceful and frequently wonderful ambiance found in nature throughout a June evening. The imagery of "lakes that hold our moons" recommends a tranquil scene where the reflection of the moon dances on water. This image symbolizes clarity, reflection, and possibly the peace and charm found in specific moments of introspection or privacy.
The phrase "drew into the earth" indicates an unexpected disappearance or transformation, stressing the ephemeral nature of such peaceful moments. It could represent the intrusion of reality or the passage of time, where such dreamlike states are swallowed by the mundane or the inevitable development of life. This shift from the ethereal to the tangible underscores a shift from idealism to truth, from dreams to earthly issues.
When Morgan composes that "absolutely nothing is left but wine and the touch of a hand", he shifts the focus from the cosmic and heavenly to the personal and intimate. Red wine traditionally represents pleasure, intoxication, event, and even comfort, while "the touch of a hand" represents human connection, heat, and intimacy. These components are more tangible and sensory, contrasting with the esoteric appeal of the lunar reflection previously in the sentence.
Therefore, Morgan's quote can be translated as a reflection on the double nature of human experience: the balance in between moments of sublime beauty and self-questioning, and the grounding, often comforting existence of sensory satisfaction and human connection. It suggests that while the magical and transcendent can vanish, leaving a sense of loss or nostalgia, there remains something exceptionally human and enduring: the capability to connect with others and find solace and delight in basic pleasures. This duality improves life, reminding us of the charm both above and around us, and within the simple moments shown others.
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