I shot an arrow into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For so swiftly it flew, the sight Could not follow it in its flight. I breathed a song into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For, who has sight so keen and strong That it can follow the flight of song? Long, long afterward, in an oak I found the arrow, still unbroken; And the song, from beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend.

Summary

This quote, from the poem "The Arrow and the Song" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, illustrates the uncertainty and unpredictability of life's endeavors. Just as an arrow shot into the air cannot be tracked in its trajectory, so too is the fate of a song released into the world unknown. However, the poem suggests that the impact of our actions and creative expressions may resurface unexpectedly. In this instance, the arrow is found intact and the song, though unheard in the air, is discovered in the heart of a friend. It reminds us of the interconnectedness of our experiences and the significance of friendship in preserving and appreciating our expressions.

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