“Birthing is never easy or without pain, be it a universe, a child, or a fresh start in life. Contraction precedes expansion. Darkness comes before dawn. Joy follows pain. This is the way of things.”

“Opening to love will always involve risk,but a heart safe from pain is one also locked to joy.”

“Sadness is a bruise on the skin of memory.”

“When sorrow's cup is filled up to the brim,the slightest touch of memory can cause tears to spill again.”

“His heart was like a battered guitar; worn and scuffed from a life spentout on the road, but still capableof bringing forth beautiful music.”

“I am no blank slate for love to write on.My heart has walls marred with cracks,bloodstains, and bullet holes;graffitied over by past lovers.”

“Creativity is the state of consciousness in which you enter into the treasury of your innermost being and bring the beauty into manifestation. (p.232)”

“Do you think I'm pretty?I think you're beautifulBeautiful?You are so beautiful, it hurts sometimes.”

“As if you were on fire from within.The moon lives in the lining of your skin.”

“Everybody's damaged by something.”

“Shes wild, unpredictable and dangerous as hell. Not just to my sanity, but to my health. Shes the kind of girl you know youll want forever with and forever will still not be enough. But shes not th...”

“Dont fall in love with me, She whispered harshly, a sob catching in her throat. I know you probably think Im egotistical saying this, but I need your promise that you wont do that. If you want to s...”

“I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.”

“I stopped in front of a florist's window. Behind me, the screeching and throbbing boulevard vanished. Gone, too, were the voices of newspaper vendors selling their daily poisoned flowers. Facing me...”

“Daffy bent down suddenly, and picked a small startled white flower. "Anemone," he said, handing it over; he made her repeat the word until she had it right. "Find me a silk to match that.”