How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
[…] is the rose naked
or is that her only dress? (1-2)
Here we have multiple realities put to us at once. We have the reality of the rose, then another reality in which this rose might be "naked," and then a third sense of reality in which the rose might actually be projecting a sense of itself ("her […] dress") to the world. Ow—our brains are starting to hurt.
Quote #2
Why do trees conceal
the splendor of their roots? (3-4)
Trees need roots in order to become trees, right? But roots are a hidden reality (unless they're big enough to trip over). This question makes us wonder what other hidden realities help to explain more visible elements of our own reality.
Quote #3
Who hears the regrets
of the thieving automobile? (5-6)
Is this for real? Can cars really be thieves? And, if so, can they really feel regretful about it? Our speaker is pushing the limits of our known reality here, but we think he might be on to something. Don't cars "steal" resources from the Earth (gas and oil) in order to function? If that's true, then who are real thieves?