I shouted across the lawn. "You're worth the whole damn bunch put together."
I've always been glad I said that. It was the only compliment I ever gave him, because I disapproved of him from beginning to end. First he nodded politely, and then his face broke into that radiant and understanding smile, as if we'd been in ecstatic cahoots on that fact all the time.
[The Great Gatsby]
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
[closing]
If you'd done it before, you'd understand the sweetness of it. The sweetness, and yet also the quiet fear.
The quiet fear of rejection. or misunderstanding.
You know, the kind of fear you can't really talk about, can't release. You just hold on to it; it's pitted in your stomach, the muscles contracted, holding tightly to this intense yet quiet fear of their thoughts.
You do know, don't you?
If you've never done it, you wouldn't understand the experience. And even if you have, you still might not understand my thrill.
The thrill of stepping outside yourself and inhabiting another. With a different voice, personality...different habits, clothes, dreams. For a short time you are that person. You are someone else. And you can feel it. You can tell.
The quiet fear of rejection. or misunderstanding.
You know, the kind of fear you can't really talk about, can't release. You just hold on to it; it's pitted in your stomach, the muscles contracted, holding tightly to this intense yet quiet fear of their thoughts.
You do know, don't you?
If you've never done it, you wouldn't understand the experience. And even if you have, you still might not understand my thrill.
The thrill of stepping outside yourself and inhabiting another. With a different voice, personality...different habits, clothes, dreams. For a short time you are that person. You are someone else. And you can feel it. You can tell.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Naomi Shihab Nye
The Arabs used to say,
When a stranger appears at your door,
feed him for three days
before asking who he is,
where he's come from,
where he's headed.
That way, he'll have strength enough
to answer.
Or, by then you'll be such good friends
You don't care.
Let's go back to that.
Rice? Pine nuts?
Here, take the red brocade pillow.
My child will serve water
to your horse.
No, I was not busy when you came!
I was not preparing to be busy.
That's the armor everyone put on
at the end of the century
to pretend they have a purpose
in the world.
I refuse to be claimed.
Your plate is waiting.
We will snip fresh mint
into your tea.
When a stranger appears at your door,
feed him for three days
before asking who he is,
where he's come from,
where he's headed.
That way, he'll have strength enough
to answer.
Or, by then you'll be such good friends
You don't care.
Let's go back to that.
Rice? Pine nuts?
Here, take the red brocade pillow.
My child will serve water
to your horse.
No, I was not busy when you came!
I was not preparing to be busy.
That's the armor everyone put on
at the end of the century
to pretend they have a purpose
in the world.
I refuse to be claimed.
Your plate is waiting.
We will snip fresh mint
into your tea.
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