Marlene Wessel

“All of her adult life people have asked Rena why she goes to such dangerous places, and she has always wanted to ask them where the safe place is. The danger is in chemicals and airports and refugee camps and war zones and regions known for sex tourism. The danger also sometimes took their trash out for them. The danger came over for movie night and bought them a popcorn maker for Christmas. The danger hugged her mother and shook her father’s hand.”
― Danielle Evans, The Office of Historical Corrections

“And maybe there is no nation or citizenry; they're just territories mapped in place of family, in place of love, the infinite country.”
― Patricia Engel, Infinite Country

“How very many scatters of stars are named for animals, thinks Miss Moss. Eagle, swan, crab, bull, bear, fish, lion, goat, scorpion, horse. We see animals everywhere. We are animals. Or we used to be animals, and mostly now we forget how to be animals, which is why we look for them everywhere.”
― Brian Doyle, Martin Marten

“Don’t tell me I’m undocumented when my name is tattooed on my father’s arm”
― Patricia Engel, Infinite Country