I'll tell you something. Once I was very fond of a poem by Emily Dickinson or somebody. I only remember one line of it, but it goes, 'The soul selects her own society.' I used to tell it to everybody. Once I quoted it to a friend of mine, and he said, 'Maybe, but the body gets thrown into bed with the goddamnedest people.
The narrator reflects on a line from a poem they admired, which emphasizes how the soul chooses its companions. This line resonated with them, leading to its frequent sharing with others. However, during a conversation with a friend, the sentiment faced skepticism as the friend pointed out the reality that, while the soul may choose, the physical body often ends up associated with undesirable or unexpected individuals.
This exchange highlights a contrast between idealistic views of personal connections and the often messy reality of human relationships. The narrator's appreciation for the poem reflects a deeper longing for meaningful connections, yet the friend's comment reminds that life's circumstances can complicate those ideals, leading to a more cynical understanding of companionship.
