Turning Darker Still: Key Quotes

About “Turning Darker Still”

“Turning Darker Still” is a meditation on nightfall and darkness, described through vivid and complex imagery.
Sam-La Rose uses nature as a metaphor in order to convey the concept of renewal that comes with the arrival of darkness.
The poem explores the theme of transition - from day to night, light to dark, consciousness to unconsciousness.

“Turning Darker Still”: Key Quotes

Symbolism of Nightfall

“Night renders everything an equal shade. Identical. Indistinguishable. Each and every thing its own shadow.” This quote underscores the overarching theme of indistinctiveness and unity that the darkness brings.

The Theme of Transition

“The world is turning darker still. I can see the edges of everything start to blur.” Here, darkness is metaphorically described as a force that blurs distinctions, promoting uniformity and equivalence.

Nature as a Metaphor

“Even the trees stoop, each leaf a blackbird taking flight into the night.” This vivid metaphor not only paints a beautiful imagery of darkness setting in, but also denotes change and renewal as each ‘blackbird’ takes flight into the new phase.

Connecting “Turning Darker Still” with other works

The themes of transition and indistinctiveness are also touched upon in Sam-La Rose’s other works like “Subtexts” and “Unwritten”.
As in “Magnitude”, “Turning Darker Still” explores broader themes like the passage of time and the concept of unity and oneness through an intimate, personal perspective.

Focus on the imagery, symbolism, and the poem’s exploration of common themes in Sam-La Rose’s works to appreciate its significance in his oeuvre. Recognize the metaphors for a deep comprehension of the poem and its positioning within the discourse on day, night, and transition.