*Kate

“We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. So medicine, law, business, engineering... these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love... these are what we stay alive for.”
― Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

“The Old Poets Of China

Wherever I am, the world comes after me.
It offers me its busyness. It does not believe
that I do not want it. Now I understand
why the old poets of China went so far and high
into the mountains, then crept into the pale mist.”
― Mary Oliver, Why I Wake Early

“When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That's the message he is sending.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh

“how we rolled up the carpet so we could dance, and the days were bright red, and every time we kissed there was another
apple
to slice into pieces.
Look at the light through the windowpane. That means it's noon,
that means
we're inconsolable.
Tell me how all this, and love too, will ruin us.
These our bodies, possessed by light.
Tell me we'll never get used to it.”
― Richard Siken