The poem
He who binds to himself a joy Does the winged life destroy; But he who kisses the joy as it flies Lives in eternity's sun rise.
8,657 poems196 poets · 750 BC to todaySince 2003

The poem
He who binds to himself a joy Does the winged life destroy; But he who kisses the joy as it flies Lives in eternity's sun rise.
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blake is saying that one cannot own joy but rather experience it and let go, or it will hold you captive.....if you let go of it you will always have the freedom, as a bird, to fly with it.....
This makes a great bumper sticker slogan! Enjoy joy, but don't capture it. Enjoy the moment, and allow the new experiences to come your way.There is almost a danger in living in the past--"winged life destroy". Joy is meant to be greeted as it is in motion--"joy as it flies". Good advice given with 26 words.