Still, what I want in my life is to be willing to be dazzled-to cast aside the weight of facts and maybe even to float a little above this difficult world. I want to believe I am looking into the white fire of a great mystery. I want to believe that the imperfections are nothing-that the light is everything-that it is more than the sum of each flawed blossom rising and fading. And I do.

Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.

Do you cherish your humble and silky life?

Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, Stay awhile.

You may not agree, you may not care, but if you are holding this book you should know that of all the sights I love in this world — and there are plenty — very near the top of the list is this one: dogs without leashes.

I saw that worrying had come to nothing and gave it up. And took my old body and went out into the morning, and sang.

What misery to be afraid of death. What wretchedness, to believe only in what can be proven.