Meaning: This quote is from the poet Amy Lowell and is taken from her collection of poetry titled "Sword Blades and Poppy Seed" published in 1914. In this quote, Lowell expresses her exhaustion and yearning for a deep emotional connection with her beloved. She describes the pain of attempting to convey her feelings through writing, feeling as though her heart is being squeezed into little ink drops, and sent away, only to be left scalded and alone under the vast, unattainable presence of the "great moon."

Amy Lowell was an American poet who played a significant role in the Imagist movement, which emphasized clarity of expression and precision of imagery in poetry. Her work often explores themes of love, desire, and the complexities of human emotions. This particular quote reflects these themes, as it captures the intense longing and frustration of unrequited love or distance from a loved one.

The quote begins with the speaker expressing her weariness, using the word "tired" to convey a deep and enduring fatigue. This sets the tone for the rest of the quote, as it becomes clear that the speaker is emotionally drained from the struggle of yearning for her beloved. The phrase "chafing my heart against the want of you" suggests a sense of friction and discomfort, as if the speaker's heart is continually being rubbed raw by the absence or unattainability of her beloved. This vivid imagery conveys the deep emotional pain and longing experienced by the speaker.

The next line, "squeezing it into little ink drops, and posting it," further illustrates the speaker's efforts to communicate her feelings. The act of squeezing her heart into ink drops implies a sense of compression and reduction, as if her emotions are being confined and constrained by the limitations of written communication. The act of "posting it" suggests that the speaker is attempting to send her written expressions of love and longing to her beloved, but the physical distance and emotional barriers prevent her from truly connecting with them.

The phrase "scald alone, here, under the fire of the great moon" paints a powerful picture of the speaker's isolation and emotional turmoil. The imagery of being scalded under the fire of the great moon conveys a sense of intense, searing pain and loneliness. The moon, often associated with romance and longing, becomes a symbol of unattainable love and distance in this context. The speaker's use of "alone" emphasizes her solitary suffering, highlighting the profound sense of isolation and longing that permeates the quote.

Overall, Amy Lowell's quote captures the intense emotional struggle and longing for connection that many people experience in their relationships. Through vivid and evocative imagery, the quote conveys the depth of the speaker's yearning and the pain of unfulfilled love. It serves as a poignant reflection on the complexities of human emotions and the enduring power of love and longing.