The philosopher Elaine Scarry has observed that "beauty always takes place in the particular." Cruelty, on the other hand, prefers abstraction.

It’s a rule that we never listen to sad music, we made that rule early on, songs are as sad as the listener, we hardly ever listen to music.

But come. No explaining or mending. Be beside me somewhere.

A few weeks after the worst day, I started writing lots of letters. I don't know why, but it was one of the only things that made my boots lighter.

I said, 'I need to know how he died.' He flipped back and pointed at, 'Why?' So I can stop inventing how he died. I'm always inventing.

She maintained a careful balance by her window, never allowing the men to come too close, never allowing them to stray too far.

Why didn't I learn to treat everything like it was the last time. My greatest regret was how much I believed in the future.