I lost part of myself to him then, and a soaring sense of freedom revealed that this must have been my… — John Knowles

Nothing endures, not a tree, not love, not even a death by violence.

Naturally I don't believe books and I don't believe teachers, but I do believe-it's important for me to believe you [Gene]. Christ, I've got to believe you, at least. I know you better than anybody.

Stranded in this mill town railroad yard while the whole world was converging elsewhere, we seemed to be nothing but children playing among heroic men.