“Using the voice is a physical act, one that first announces the existence of the body of residence and then trumpets its arrival in a public space.”

“Poetry is what you findin the dirt in the corner,overhear on the bus, Godin the details, the only wayto get from here to there.”

“...now I know my capacity for aweis infinite: this thirst is permanent,the well bottomless, my good fortune vast.”

“What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light.”

“The whole universe was stilled as if listening for a voice. For the space of one heartbeat there was peace on earth. For one fraction of a moment there was no deed of violence wrought on earth, no hatred, no fire, no whirlwind, no pain, no fear. Existence rested against the heart of God, then sighed and journeyed again.”

“The ego exists as a powerful force in Western man that cannot be dismissed or denied. The therapeutic goal is to integrate the ego with the body and its striving for pleasure and sexual fulfilment.”

“But then he remembered what George had told him about pain. You know what you can do, even if your body says quit. It's only pain."It's only pain, he thought, hearing George's voice and seeing his eagle-face. If anyone would know, George would, he thought. And truly, he thought, it's the most useful one thing a body can know.”