In this twilight they were more imagined than seen, but I felt surrounded by the practitioners of a sacred mediocrity, an elegant mediocrity cloistering inaccessible tortures. I don't know quite how to put it. People, men, proud of their cliches yet full of helpless poetry.
The quote reflects a profound observation by the author, capturing a sense of being enveloped in a world where individuals inhabit a space of mediocrity that is both elegant and isolating. This mediocrity is not just ordinary; it conceals deeper emotional suffering, hinting at a complexity that lies beneath the surface. The speaker acknowledges the challenge of articulating this feeling, suggesting a struggle to convey the subtleties of human existence in this twilight zone.
Furthermore, the reference to men who are proud of their clichés indicates a critique of superficiality in human expression. Despite their adherence to familiar phrases and ideas, there exists within them a profound and helpless sense of yearning, described as "helpless poetry." This juxtaposition reveals a tension between outward appearances and internal struggles, inviting readers to reflect on the nuanced layers of identity and the human condition.
