• Cut a chrysalis open, and you will find a rotting caterpillar. What you will never find is that mythical creature, half caterpillar, half butterfly, a fit emblem of the human soul, for those whose cast of mind leads them to seek such emblems. No, the process of transformation consists almost entirely of decay.”

— Pat Barker , Regeneration

• “You are enough. Paint it on your mirrors, on the back of your eyelids, drown it in your stomach, sing it in every word you say. You are never too much. Eat your food, sleep eight hours, walk like you love yourself. You are enough. Say it in your sleep, mantras to carry you through your day. There is never enough of you. You are a thirst that is never quenched. I crave you when you’re away. I love every piece of you. But I cannot make you love yourself.”

— Michelle K , You Are Enough

• "I wish I knew how to move slower. how to kiss hard and still come up for air. How to be kind to each moment like it is my very best lover, an engine of pumpkin sweat and skin. I hope I learn to love myself when no one is looking. I need to drink more water. Maybe that is all I ever need to do. Drink more water. Kiss you. Walk to the store. I am the slowest revolutionary."

— Auren Zuniga , “dear lemon engine” from “the smell of good mud”

• "we are drawn to car wrecks and police sirens and we pour salt on slugs just to watch them suffer. and we say we want love. we say we want love more than anything else."

— Amanda Helm