“I don't want tobecause boysdon't write poetry.Girls do.”

“I started thinking about life insurance and how nice it would be if you could get insurance that your life would be happy, and that everyone you knew could be happy, and they could all do what they really wanted to do, and they could all find the people they wanted to find.”

“I don't care if the whole town comes, as long as you come, Bailey boy.”

“Do the other angels know what they are doing? Am I the only confused one? Maybe I am unfinished, an unfinished angel.”

“I tried.Can't do it.Brain's empty.”

“Don’t be in too much of a rush to be published. There is enormous value in listening and reading and writing—and then putting your words away for weeks or months–and then returning to your work to polish it some more.”

“Mrs. Mudkin closed her eyes. "We should pray.""I ain't praying," Crazy Cora said. Mrs. Mudkin said, "Lord, please bless---""I ain't praying.""--this land and the people who--""I ain't praying.""--have toiled on this earth--""Stop that praying.""I can pray if I want to.""Then be quiet about it.”