Holly

And, as always, thank you for coming to another dark place with me.
Stephen King

Just when you think you’ve seen the worst human beings have to offer, you find out you’re wrong, Izzy said. Then added the kicker: There’s no end to evil.

Time, she thinks, really is the avenger.

If you think of literature as a town, then those who read and write poetry are the poor relations who live in shanties across the tracks

“Good times only,” Olivia says. “Leave the future out of it. The only person unhappier than a writer whose expectations aren’t fulfilled is one whose dreams come true.”

Barbara might not have believed the old poet had enough circulation to blush, given her powered-down state, but apparently she does.

the important thing is to keep the channel open and the words flowing. “If you don’t,” she says, “your channel may silt up. And then dry up.”

“Gifts are fragile. You must never entrust yours to people who might break it.”

there’s no more exquisite torture than hope.

Not that either of them believes in God, or a happily-ever-afterlife, which is an excellent reason to extend this one as long as possible.