“I don't remember what they said, only the fury of their words, how the air turned raw and full of welts. Later it would remind me of birds trapped inside a closed room, flinging themselves against the windows and the walls, against each other.”

“How it saddens me to see how quickly men turn against each other.”

“overhead the birds are calling,their cries seeming to feel the air. As i watch, they rise.. flinging their bodies against the sky, intent upon the moment, spinning and turning like embers of smoke upon the air. I envy them, this life of theirs..the way they live so free of themselves, they are without past, without future, an exaltation of life beating in so many parts, rising up into the infinity of space. watching them i find i want to weep, and yet i have no tears.”

“I think of animals in cages, pressed close against each other.”

“I settled back. Brett moved close to me. We sat up close against each other. I put my arm around her and she rested against me comfortably. It was very hot and bright, and the houses looked sharply white. We turned out onto the Gran Via."Oh, Jake," Brett said, "We could have have such a damned good time together.""Yes," I said. "Isn't it pretty to think so.”

“Humanness is a window thrown against a wall.”