there never is a happy ending because nothing ever ends.

Your name is a golden bell hung in my heart. I would break my body to pieces to call you once by your name.

What happened instead was that the tree fell in love with him and began to murmur fondly of the joy to be found in the eternal embrace of a red oak. "Always, always," it sighed, "faithful beyond any man's deserving. I will keep the color of your eyes when no other in the world remembers your name. There is no immortality but a tree's love.

There are honest people in the world, but only because the devil considers their asking prices ridiculous.

Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid of anything. Whatever you have been, you are mine now. I can hold you.

The tune was wailing and mournful, almost flagrantly so, and the total effect was of a heartbroken piccolo being parted forever from its bagpipe lover.

But I still feel I waste a lot of time leaning on my elbow and thinking to myself, 'alright sucker, now what?'