Meaning: The quote by Robert Morgan, "Alchemy is the art of far and near, and I think poetry is alchemy in that way. It's delightful to distort size, to see something that's tiny as though it were vast," speaks to the transformative and magical nature of both alchemy and poetry. In this quote, Morgan draws a parallel between the ancient practice of alchemy and the art of poetry, suggesting that both involve a kind of alchemical transformation that allows the ordinary to become extraordinary.

Alchemy, historically, was a philosophical and proto-scientific tradition practiced in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It sought to transform base metals into noble metals, such as gold, and to discover the elixir of life. While alchemy is often associated with these material transformations, it also had a spiritual and metaphorical dimension, with alchemists seeking inner transformation and enlightenment through their work. The idea of transmutation and the pursuit of the extraordinary lie at the heart of alchemy.

Similarly, poetry is often seen as a form of artistic alchemy, where words and language are used to transform ordinary experiences and emotions into something profound and transcendent. Poets possess the ability to distort size metaphorically, making something small appear vast or something vast appear small. They have the power to transmute the mundane into the magical, the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Morgan's comparison of poetry to alchemy suggests that both practices involve a kind of transformative magic, where the boundaries of reality are stretched and the familiar is made unfamiliar. In poetry, this transformation often takes the form of metaphor, simile, and other literary devices that allow the poet to create new meanings and associations. Just as the alchemist sought to transmute base metals into gold, the poet seeks to transmute ordinary language into something precious and resonant.

The idea of distortion in the quote also speaks to the power of perspective in both alchemy and poetry. Alchemists sought to understand the world through a different lens, believing that by distorting their perceptions, they could uncover hidden truths and unlock the secrets of the universe. Similarly, poets often distort reality through their use of imagery and symbolism, inviting readers to see the world from a new and unexpected angle. This distortion of size and perception allows both alchemists and poets to reveal the hidden beauty and complexity of the world around them.

Morgan's quote can also be interpreted as a celebration of the imaginative and transformative power of poetry. Through the alchemy of language, poets are able to create new worlds, evoke powerful emotions, and challenge the boundaries of what is possible. By distorting size and perception, poetry invites readers to see the world in a different light, encouraging them to explore new ways of thinking and feeling.

In conclusion, Robert Morgan's quote captures the essence of both alchemy and poetry as transformative arts that have the power to distort size and perception, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Whether through the literal transmutation of metals or the metaphorical transmutation of language, both alchemy and poetry invite us to see the world in a new and magical way.