Quote by Mark Strand
Those hours given over to basking in the glow of an imaginedfuture, of being carried away in streams of promise by a love ora passion so strong that one felt altered forever and convincedthat even the smallest particle of the surrounding world wascharged with purpose of impossible grandeur; ah, yes, andone would look up into the trees and be thrilled by the wind-loosened river of pale, gold foliage cascading down and by thehigh, melodious singing of countless birds; those moments, somany and so long ago, still come back, but briefly, like firefliesin the perfumed heat of summer night.

Summary
This quote captures the nostalgic reminiscence of past moments of intense joy and optimism. It describes the experience of being fully immersed in a hopeful future or in a deep love or passion that seemed to transform one's perception of the world. The imagery of the wind-stirred golden leaves falling from trees and the melodious singing of birds evoke vivid snapshots of those blissful moments. It suggests that these memories, though fleeting, continue to resurface, evoking a sense of longing and wistfulness like fireflies glimmering briefly in the warm summer night.
By Mark Strand