I began to look at all events and all things as relevant, an opportunity to take or avoid.

Language is the tool of my trade -and I use them all - all the Englishes I grew up with

There's no hope. There's no reason to keep trying. Because you must. This is not hope. Not reason. This is your fate. This is your life, what you must do.

Now I was a tiger that neither pounced nor lay waiting between the trees. I became an unseen spirit.

Then she told me why a tiger is gold and black. It has two ways. The gold side leaps with its fierce heart. The black side stands still with cunning, hiding its gold between the trees, seeing and not being seen, waiting patiently for things to come. I did not learn to use my black side until after the bad man left me.

A Mother is the one who fills your heart in the first place.

Those who don't heed the warnings don't live to admit they were stupid not to do so.