The prospect of his future life stretched before him like a sentence; not a prison sentence but a long-winded sentence with a lot of unnecessary subordinate clauses, as he was soon in the habit of quipping during Happy Hour pickup time at the local campus bars and pubs. He couldnโt say he was looking forward to it, this rest-of-his-life.
Margaret AtwoodBut who can remember pain, once itโs over? All that remains of it is a shadow, not in the mind even, in the flesh. Pain marks you, but too deep to see. Out of sight, out of mind.
Margaret AtwoodOld lovers go the way of old photographs, bleaching out gradually as in a slow bath of acid: first the moles and pimples, then the shadings. Then the faces themselves, until nothing remains but the general outlines.
Margaret AtwoodIf I am good enough and quiet enough, perhaps after all they will let me go; but itโs not easy being quiet and good, itโs like hanging on to the edge of a bridge when youโve already fallen over; you donโt seem to be moving, just dangling there, and yet it is taking all your strength.
Margaret Atwood