We can never understand. We can only try, fumbling our way through the tunneled places, reaching for light.

Don't worry about what you're writing or whether it's good or even whether it makes sense.

I’m sorry for everything.” Then he turns and pushes back into the woods, and he’s gone.

A string of bright white buildinh, glistening like teeth over the slurping mouth of the ocean.

Mama, Mama, help me get home I'm out in the woods, I am out on my own. I found me a werewolf, a nasty old mutt It showed me its teeth and went straight for my gut. Mama, Mama, help me get home I'm out in the woods, I am out on my own. I was stopped by a vampire, a rotting old wreck It showed me its teeth and went straight for my neck. Mama, Mama, put me to bed I won't make it home, I'm already half-dead. I met an Invalid, and fell for his art He showed me his smile, and went straight for my heart. -From "A Child's Walk Home," Nursery Rhymes and Folk Tales

I think of the quietness of Julian's voice as he said I love you, the steadiness of his rib cage rising and falling against my back, as we sleep.I love you, Julian. But the words don't come.

Less than a month ago all of August still stretched before us - long and golden and reassuring, like an endless period of delicious sleep.