Politically, the world is so confused right now - there's so much suffering caused by various movements by various parties and people in power in government.

Aside from the fact that they say it's unhealthy, my fat ain't never been no trouble. Mens always have loved me. My kids ain't never complained. Plus they's fat.

I had assumed that the Earth, the spirit of the Earth, noticed exceptions-those who wantonly damage it and those who do not. But the Earth is wise. It has given itself into the keeping of all, and all are therefore accountable.

He beat me like he beat the children. Cept he don't never hardly beat them. He say, Celie, git the belt. The children be outside the room peeking through the cracks. It all I can do not to cry. I make myself wood. I say to myself, Celie, you a tree. That's how come I know trees fear man.

Everything wanna be loved. Us sing and dance, and holla just wanting to be loved.

I'm mad about the waste that happens when people who love each other can't even bring themselves to talk.

No song or poem will bear my mother's name. Yet so many of the stories that I write, that we all write, are my mother's stories.