Writers are encouraged to "keep 'em laughing" and complain "with good humor" in order to "win" allies. The joke is always on ourselves.

Thoughts can hurt like real pain.

The Black writer explains pain to those who inflict it.

I'm independent as a hog on ice and a hog on ice is dead, cold, well-preserved and don't need a mother'grabbin, thing.

your soul is an inner something that is another you and hardly anybody knows what it's really thinkin' except you.

A gift - be it a present, a kind word or a job done with care and love - explains itself!... and if receivin' it embarrasses you, it's because your 'thanks box' is warped.

Like snowflakes, the human pattern is never cast twice.