Jess Montgomery > Quotes

“Mama,” Lily says. “This is more than I can bear.” She longs to weep, but her tears remain stubbornly locked in her heart. Mama kisses the top of Lily’s head, keeps rocking her, says, “No, child. This is just more than you should have to bear.”
― Jess Montgomery, The Widows

“Soon so many people are packed standing-room-only in the tiny church that their body heat brings forth the smell of their lives from deep within their own flesh; their body heat coaxes from wooden pews and leather Bibles smells of other sinners and mourners who've gathered there time and again.”
― Jess Montgomery, The Widows

“Week before last, cold shooed warmth into a wish and a memory, then rattled tree limbs to leaflessness with one gnarly hand, while gripping the earth with the other.”
― Jess Montgomery, The Stills

“The stiff night smells like the promise of coming rain, though its scent is doused by the strong odor of corn mash fermenting with yeast. Afar off a coyote howls, then a bit later a screech owl, and in between shivers and sighs of smaller night creatures.”
― Jess Montgomery, The Widows

“Her own grief has hunkered down, deep within, waiting for something — answers to her many questions, perhaps — before it can loosen, rise, disperse.”
― Jess Montgomery, The Widows

“Life is hard. Have tea.”
― Jess Montgomery, The Widows