In the photograph by my bed my mother is perpetually smiling on me. I guess I have forgiven us both, although sometimes in the night my dreams will take me back to the sadness, and I have to wake up and forgive us again.

You have untold strengths and resources inside. You have your glorious self.

In a weird way I must have loved my little collection of hurts and wounds. They provided me with some real nice sympathy, with the feeling I was exceptional... What a special case I was.

When a woman starts to disentangle herself from patriarchy, ultimately she is abandoned to her own self.

Sometimes you want to fall on your knees and thank God in heaven for all the poor news reporting that goes on in the world.

Sunset is the saddest light there is.

And when you get down to it, Lily, that is the only purpose grand enough for a human life. Not just to love but to persist in love.