This evocative passage explores the tumultuous landscape of the mind and the internal chaos that often goes unnoticed beneath a calm exterior. The metaphor of "thinking has a quiet skin" suggests how our inner thoughts are concealed behind a serene facade, while within, there is a violent storm of emotions, memories, and conflicting ideas. The imagery of "blue hills most gentle in calm light" evokes a sense of peace and serenity on the surface, but this tranquility is juxtaposed with "stretches of assault and ransack," illustrating the untamed and often destructive nature of inner turmoil. The depiction of "charred wreckage," "shrapnel," and "bits singeing" symbolically portrays the scars left by mental strife or past trauma, emphasizing that even quiet minds harbor wounds and chaos. The phrase "the stumbling gait of what I am" reflects a tentative, uncertain self-awareness, acknowledging the imperfect, vulnerable human condition. The line "how to be hidden is a tempting, violent thing" hints at the human tendency to conceal our struggles, which can lead to internal violence. All these elements culminate in describing endless thoughts crashing into one another, a relentless assault on tranquility. The phrase "unlawful elsewheres rushing in" evokes a sense of disorder and the allure of forbidden, uncharted mental territories. Overall, the quote resonates deeply, capturing the delicate balance between outward calm and inner turbulence, illustrating the complex architecture of human thought and emotion.