Meaning: This quote by Randall Jarrell, an American poet and literary critic, offers a vivid and powerful metaphor to describe the experience of a poet. To fully understand the quote, it is essential to dissect the symbolism and meaning behind the imagery of being struck by lightning.

The comparison of a poet to a person who stands out in thunderstorms and is struck by lightning multiple times suggests that the poet's creative process is inherently linked to moments of intense inspiration and revelation. The image of standing out in a thunderstorm evokes a sense of vulnerability and exposure, as well as a willingness to confront the unpredictable forces of nature. In this context, the lightning strikes represent moments of profound insight, creativity, and artistic inspiration that have the potential to transform the poet's work.

Jarrell's choice of "five or six times" to describe the frequency of being struck by lightning adds a sense of specificity and rarity to these moments of inspiration. By implying that these experiences are not commonplace, the quote emphasizes the exceptional nature of poetic inspiration and the profound impact it can have on a poet's life and work. Furthermore, the use of a specific number creates a sense of quantifiability, suggesting that the poet's experiences of being struck by lightning can be counted and measured, even though they are inherently unpredictable and uncontrollable.

One interpretation of this quote is that it speaks to the idea of the poet as a conduit for extraordinary experiences and emotions, someone who is able to harness the power of the natural world and transform it into art. The act of being struck by lightning can be seen as a metaphor for the sudden and electrifying moments of creativity and insight that poets experience. These moments of inspiration may come unexpectedly, much like a lightning strike, and have the potential to illuminate and transform the poet's perspective and work.

Furthermore, the quote can be viewed as a commentary on the inherent risk and unpredictability of the poetic endeavor. Just as standing in a thunderstorm carries the risk of being struck by lightning, the pursuit of poetry involves embracing uncertainty and vulnerability. Poets must be willing to expose themselves to the tumultuous forces of creativity and imagination, knowing that the rewards of inspiration are accompanied by the inherent dangers of artistic pursuit.

Ultimately, the quote encapsulates the profound and transformative nature of poetic inspiration. It conveys the idea that a poet's life is marked by moments of intense illumination and creative energy, and that these experiences are both rare and invaluable. By comparing the poet to someone who is struck by lightning, Jarrell captures the extraordinary nature of poetic inspiration and the indelible impact it has on the poet's life and work.