The quote reflects the profound emotional weight of unexpressed feelings and repressed passions. It describes how unvoiced sentiments and suppressed experiences transform into tangible, mineral-like substances. The imagery of various minerals suggests that our hidden emotions are as enduring and substantial as rocks, emphasizing the lasting impact of what we do not express in our lives.
Furthermore, the language used evokes a sense of decay and loss, aligning with the themes of dead trees and desires. This vivid metaphor highlights the idea that without expression, emotional turmoil festers and crystallizes into something lifeless and barren, reminiscent of the remnants of a once vibrant existence. Nin's work underscores the importance of confronting and expressing our deeper emotions to avoid turning them into lifeless remnants.