Novels In Verse Quotes

“Because Dad told you he'd be here forever.
Because I thought forever was like Mars -- far away.”
― Kwame Alexander

“She knows what it's like
to leave
to run
to be away from home
and full of worry
and I bet
she's as surprised as I am
that a terrible happening
can make strangers
feel like kin”
― Shari Green, Missing Mike

“Her home
was a car?
It's obvious
she doesn't want to talk about it
but I need to know
---need to know it's possible
to feel at home
even if my house burns down”
― Shari Green, Missing Mike

“Maybe it's possible to be home
even without a house
but without your family?
"That doesn't make sense," I say.

"Safe is home," Jewel says. "Wanted
is home. I have all that here.
And this?" She gestures
at the room. "Let's just say
it isn't a car.”
― Shari Green, Missing Mike

“A single "woof"
---Mike was waiting
watching.
He jumped the busted fence
when he saw me coming
rushed over
so he could greet me properly.
I dropped to one knee
soaked up Mike's welcome
and everything about my bad day
ran off me
like rainwater rushing
along the edge of the road
to the drain.

Having someone who loves you enough
to wait
in the dreary weather
someone who's happy to see you
no matter what mood
you're in...

there's nothing better than that.”
― Shari Green, Missing Mike

“For just a moment
Ms. Gillan reminds me
of an autumn leaf
just as alone
as I am.”
― Shari Green, Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess

“If you love books?

If you love books
read a great many books.
If you love to sing,
sing loudly
and often.
Whatever you do
do it with all your heart.”
― Shari Green, Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess

“I'm so thankful, but you know, dear one
the gods' messages can be sent even without cookies
---messages of courage, hope, laughter, support.
They must be sent---through cookies or stories
quiet deeds or mountaintop proclamations.
Hearts are waiting, worying, hurting
---in need of a message
you can send.”
― Shari Green, Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess

“WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR PAST
Serve it with lemons and curdled milk
with shortbread biscuits
make the day gray
spots of rain.
Make a quilt out of the villains
crochet the heroes together in a hat
Wear the hat. Use the quilt
as a picnic blanket.
Bring your friends.
Watch the squirrels be tiny monkeys
dare-deviling the trees.
Exclaim things!
Each lemon, sup of tea, cookie
is a bite into the future /
will digest, exit, and swim.
Digest. Exit. Swim.
Drink the curdled milk and get sick
watch your friends clean up
hold your hair back / hat on
hand you a tissue.
When you wash the vomit
out of the villainous quilt
each time it gets weaker
Picnic often.”
― A.S. King, Switch

“He tried the crank radio, a pirate station out of Memphis. Static and guitar scratch, the straggling notes of a song about home.”
― David Wesley Williams, Everybody Knows (2023)