“There is only darkness, starless and complete. The waves glitter like a million dull knives.”

“Today the city melted in a heat wave. The crystal skyscrapers glittered like knives (this is a city of knives), steel-and-glass blades inlaid with the reflections of other knives, mirrors within mirrors within mirrors, knives that thrust up at the scorched clouds, presaging that evening's little death… As always, beneath the vaulted brilliance the infernal shadows of the streets were filled with the phantoms of murdered girls.”

“The faded glittering in his eyes is like a falling star on a dull autumn's day.”

“Insecure people only eclipse your sun because they’re jealous of your daylight and tired of their dark, starless nights.”

“Weeks passed like boats waiting to sail into the starless dawn, we were full of aimless endless darkness.”

“Because it is the Midwest, no one really glitters because no one has to, it's more of a dull shine, like frequently used silverware.”