This passage evokes a strikingly intimate and ethereal moment, blending the physical loosening of tension with a spiritual or metaphysical presence. The simile of a woman preparing for bed, letting her hair flow free, captures a scene of vulnerability and relaxation, suggesting the world itself is decompressing and shedding rigidity. The narrator, aware of the power of words, approaches this moment with reverence—whispering not just to themselves but to the 'shadows of the gods,' mythical observers who imbue the scene with heightened significance. The idea that words matter speaks to the human understanding of language as a bridge between inner experience and external reality. This awareness, combined with a subtle smile, reflects acceptance and a sense of communion with these unseen forces. The quote conjures themes of release, reverence, and the potency of language. It suggests a profound ritualistic element, where the act of speaking and being heard—by gods or perhaps by one’s own subconscious—is transformative. The atmosphere is simultaneously serene and charged, highlighting a moment suspended in time, where the ordinary dissolves and the sacred whisper of existence is acknowledged. This passage fits very well within Colm Tóibín's work, which often explores themes of memory, faith, and the quiet profundities of personal experience, inviting readers to contemplate the intersection of the earthly and the divine through the lens of a deeply human voice.