One of the instructions to be found within Forrest Fenn’s Poem is the phrase ‘Look quickly down’. As seen in the poem, this instruction comes after you’ve been wise and found the Blaze.
Here is that section of Poem. It is Stanza 4 of the total 6 Stanzas. (full poem: here)
If you’ve been wise and have found the blaze,
Look quick down, your quest to cease,
But tarry scant with marvel gaze,
Just take the chest and go in peace.
While there are many possible interpretations for the ‘look quickly down’ phrase, we share one of our favorites. We have asked ourselves ‘why ‘quickly down’ and why is there a need for that distinction? Chatting with some friends, we came up with the following possible interpretation.
We feel it is very possible that to ‘look quickly down’ implies ‘look under’. As to ‘look quickly down’ could be to look directly ‘under’. Consider the spacing. It might not be Look quickly. down. But, look— quickly down. What is ‘quickly down’? Could it be look ‘very close’ or ‘look under’?
This leads right to the next question- ‘what would you be looking under?’ Well, considering the poem lines: if you’ve been wise and found the blaze, look quickly down your quest to cease’: it would suggest you look quickly down or under the blaze.
This could suggest the blaze is on the ground to find. It could possibly mean the blaze is on a flat rock to see which is used to cover a hole—like the method described in our video on Buried or Hidden?
We realize there are lots of possibilities, and we only share one of our thoughts above for ‘Look quickly down.’
What do you think ‘look quickly down’ suggests? And what do you think you look quickly down from?
Please share in the comments below.
MW Video of this topic:
On your first visit, I suggest you look down quickly at your GPS. You’re gonna need that. And what you see should surprise you.
The first searcher to reach this point has the advantage, and they know it.
Keep in mind, that I am not entirely sold on the idea that the chest of gold is the real treasure here. There’s more.
It’s in the journey. It’s always the journey. That’s how you know a place for the first time.
I SECOND that Iceman. Looking quickly down only takes a SECOND……
If your GPS was as precise as the poem, you could go right straight to it … heck, you could do brain surgery on it. My opionion.
Wow! There’s so much buzz in the air these days. It must be Spring!
And there’s…like…a plethora…of new topics here at Mysterious Writings. It’s hard to comment on them all.
And…uhhh…No. Like I was telling El Guapo…I really don’t know what “plethora” means.
I’ll have to look it up…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8ROhP_3-Qk
On a Different Note…Happy Easter! Despite all the gloom in the world…(that’s a long list)…there is still Light…and things are Looking Up.
🙂
Quickly appears to be a rate of speed. So if you where on top of a hill and going down slowly, it would be a shallow grade. Therefore quickly down would be a steep grade.
Perhaps look quickly down first refers to bowing ones head. Removing pride and asking forgiveness from individuals. Sometimes we all jump to conclusions of intent of those who enter our day. My apologies during this Easter season for any misinterpretations I may have had. Definately for cutting words passioNately delivered. Even most Rangers do their best to keep us all safe. We are all in the same play. All desearve respect and love. Who am I to judge? If judgment is appropriate, ever appropriate, then let me judge myself and be the first to apologize. The wilderness heals. We all need healing. Like Jekyll the beast sometimes Hyde’s.
Nicely stated. Thanks.
Of all, Timpanac, it has the most meaning to me.
Yes, healing. Heart and hearth.
It was never judgement, it was circumstance and the code. If apologies are needed, let them be both ways. And according to Gibbs, only friends apologize.
Yes, to bow in thanks and respect. I believe the special place was considered revered or so special that respect is a given. In some cultures, they bow to display respect. It sets the tone for being humble as well as being thankful for a safe arrival and thankful for the opportunity just to be there. I agree, Rangers and others who accept positions are typically passionate and take their responsibilities seriously. To judge would be better changed to listen, dialogue, and understand. We could all look back and judge ourselves and modify and adjust to be better in a number of ways – it is a part of human life – a part of life for us that is different from animal instinct. Nicely stated.
I agree. Nicely stated, Timpanac.
I’ve learned few Portuguese expressions since marrying my wife…many of which are said truly from the heart.
One of the most genuine expressions…which conveys a humble mindset…which should Wisely ve adopted my every culture in the world…is the expression…“Desculpa qualquer coisa”…which basically means “Please forgive me for anything and everything”.
How awesome is that expression?
It’s better explained here on this page. That particular expression is #1…
…where it ought to be.
https://streetsmartbrazil.com/brazilian-culture-10-brazilian-expressions-social-situations-and-1-cultural-tip/
And please forgive me my miss spellings. I’m out of town for Easter weekend and typing on my dumbphone.
“Look Quickly down” – Look can mean examine: Did you know that there are the following definitions of quickly: Quickly = Intelligent and/or pungent aroma (an archaic definition). Also, Quickly = Directly, and Down = Can mean direction – As in “Down the road” whether that is “Up” or “Down” in elevation. So, Look quickly down could mean to examine a pungent aroma (a pine grove or group of sage or cedar bushes or trees) either above or below where you are standing. A bit of a different meaning than usually understood. Worth considering if you are in or near the mountains – Just food for thought – JDA
When I look quickly down, I see 2 feet. 😉
No belly pudge then. I will not say what I see when I look quickly down – it’s not feet 🙁
Wow! Great ideas here! 🙂
wise => all knowing
Look quickly down your quest to cease. It could very well mean look down the page you are reading which can be done quickly, So hear me all and listen good should catch your eye.
When I first started working on the solution to this line I keyed in on the word; “quickly” it’s an adverb and used to modify a noun! Forrest has warned us, not to ignore any words in the poem BUT specifically the Nouns…
So I started looking (pun) at the phrase or clause; “quickly-down.”
My first thought was the root of quickly or quick or to quicken, which means: give or restore life to, with energy.
This comes from its original or archaic meaning in relation to a pregnant women & when the fetus first shows signs of life and movement (this was referred to as; the quickening with-in).
Additionally quickly can mean; directly or immediately — down. And like CMR said above, perhaps on the clue level or the figurative meaning of the verse, it is suggesting we look immediately under this verse to: “But tarry scant.”
This could be exactly what we are looking quickly down for; a “tarry scant.”
Just some thoughts,
GCG
Note: Colloquially adverbs can modify nouns …or in poetry, perhaps.
Modifiers but the trick is which mod to ifie. How’s the weather down there?
The dogwoods are always the first to bloom. Makes the heart quicken to be walking through the still, dark forest and then to see one in bloom, almost like a ghost. At that moment, the light shining through the flowers is all you need to know.
https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/missouri/state-tree/flowering-dogwood
Living Remembrance.
Happy Easter, lifesablaze.
Happy Easter, everyone.
The blaze is anything that gets your attention. So you noticed the inordinate number if pics of fishing in the books, right? And you noticed the inordinate number of Vs and Ws in the poem, right? Now what are you going to do with them?
Of pics
The V’s and W’s were the key breakthrough for my friend as well, bringing the coordinates to life. Now that Iceman has made the code public it will be a foot race to the end! I don’t know details but understand from other sources this is the key to unlock. I just don’t know how. Congrats!
The 4th stanza is the most important and perplexing part of the poem. IMO.
How else would one write “Look quickly down, your quest to cease,” to fit the rhyme?
“Then look down, your quest to cease,” or “Quick, look down, your quest to cease,”. I think that “down” is the word to focus on.
Does “down” in this context mean downhill, downstream, down at the ground, or just south?
Maybe, or it could mean something else entirely.
Watch your step?
when you see mr. forrests ducks,look!down, feathers,the ducks are white.
When someone is “looking”, they usually are doing it from eye level. If we are walking at that time, then direct sight would be 4-7 feet off the ground. So, the blaze could be in this area, 4-7 feet off the ground. Looking quickly down is just that. If you’ve found the blaze, look below it, or the ground.
Since we “tarry scant” with something, that something is what is on the ground. That is what we see. The marvel gaze. This might just be an object, marvel could be a reference to how something/someone would perceive what is on the ground. Since people have walked right on by, the blaze may not be seen, it’s hint of where it is would be the “marvel gaze”. With two stanzas still remaining, something will need to be taken from what is on the ground. Since that wouldn’t last the test of time, the remaining stanzas would have to explain so the spot could still be worked out.
Or, maybe not:).
would the treasure then be “Bowled”
Well, I’m 100% sure I have found the Blaze…and the TC isn’t nearby. But here is where TS Eliot and Salinger provide guidance. Too cold right now though…it can wait.
Hey Zoe, you mind if I ask what state?