Beauty is the visible fitness of a thing to its use, I say to the raccoon in my dreams.
“Hands” by Gregory Blake Smith (1983)
Tag: literature
I don’t know if my decision was made then or if it formed slowly through the morning. I have never been able to conclude that I even made a decision, with the weighing of choice, of consequence.
“Jillie” by Ehud Havazelet (1985)
I wore the snake head to work on Monday, with a new dress in a soft, wine-colored material that clung to me. I felt sleek and shapely, but it was the cobra head that made me feel beautiful.
“Snake Head” by Lynda Leidiger (1979)
It’s pretty and exciting, all of it, everything we’ve done–but so ugly, too, and there’s nothing to count on.
“The Things That Would Never Be Mine” by Michelle Carter (1987)
He lowers the trombone and smiles at me, a little sheepishly. I sit there with my hands spread on the armrests, the full cup of coffee on the floor between my feet. I feel shabby and not young. This boy can play.
“In Christ There Is No East or West” by Kent Nussey (1986)
‘That’s the sad part,’ she said. ‘Nobody gets to feel good.’
“Last Night” by Dennis McFarland (1984)
But the other night I did meet this guy. I don’t know. I mean I don’t know what. It got me rattled. He was an actor, okay? with cheekbones and a chin and this direct soulful gaze and I thought forget this. Needless to say…
“Sparks” by Susan Minot (1987)
You know what’s strange? After all those years, of him saying he’d kill me if I ever left him, he was the one to go. Just because he thought I was taking too much cocaine. But really, he didn’t seem very upset to leave at all.
“Conviction” by Tama Janowitz (1986)
Life is what is lived by American mothers and fathers, Swedish townspeople, European cityfolk–but she is none of these.
“The Incorrect Hour” by Debra Spark (1986)
‘Leveling with other people is important to me,’ I answered. ‘And you’re important to me.’ Then I said, ‘And whales.’
“Where We Are Now” by Ethan Canin (1986)