So this was how secrets got started, I thought to myself. People constructed them little by little.

There are symbolic dreams-- dreams that symbolize some reality. Then there are symbolic realities -- realities that symbolize a dream. Symbols are what you might call the honorary town councillors of the worm universe. In the worm universe, there is nothing unusual about a dairy cow seeking a pair of pliers. A cow is bound to get her pliers sometime. It has nothing to do with me.

Sometimes when I'm with you, I remember things I lost when I was your age. Like I remember the sound of the rain and the smell of the wind.

Judging the mistakes of strangers is an easy thing to do - and it feels pretty good.

Another person's life is that person's life. You can't take responsibility.

But I found that the longer you teach, the more you feel like a total stranger to yourself

Once she was out of the car and gone, my world was suddenly hollow and meaningless.