42
" Throughout the history of the Kensington Rune Stone in the twentieth
century, memories of an ancient battle were repeatedly evoked to
address the concerns about more recent battles. The skræling endured
as a convenient symbol of the threats posed by secularization, urbanization,
and diversification. As sociologist Richard K. Fenn observes,
“Any society is a reservoir of old longings and ancient hatreds. These
need to be understood, addressed, resolved and transcended if a society
is to have a future that is different from its past.” Furthermore, when
a society does not adequately confront its past, it perpetually finds “a
new target that resembles but also differs from the source of original
conflict.” If Fenn is correct, old enemies will continue to emerge in
the face of new enemies unless Minnesotans can understand, address,
resolve, and transcend the state’s original sin: the unjust treatment of
the region’s first inhabitants. "
― David M. Krueger , Myths of the Rune Stone: Viking Martyrs and the Birthplace of America
43
" Describing our romantic longings in 'Life preserves,' therapist Harriet Lerner shares that most people want a partner 'who is mature and intelligent, loyal and trustworthy, loving and attentive, sensitive and open, kind and nurturant, competent and responsible.' No matter the intensity of this desire, she concludes: 'Few of us evaluate a prospective partner with the same objectivity and clarity that we might use to select a household appliance or a car.' To be capable of critically evaluating a partner we would need to be able to stand back and look critically at ourselves, at our needs, desires, and longings..... We fear that evaluating our needs and then carefully choosing partners will reveal that there is no one for us to love. Most of us prefer to have a partner who is lacking then no partner at all. What becomes apparent is that we may be more interested in finding a partner than in knowing love. "
― , All About Love: New Visions
44
" In the darkness of the night while removing the long colourful gown that covers my nakedness, there is chill penetrating bare cells and the sky is as silent as ever. Another day has withered unto the lap of mighty earth, to make her heart fertile, to feed those lives sprouting and then again to raise up to the skies to kiss life!
This home is not yours, nor this earth! A breeze that caresses the orphan longings of the senses, like that of the softest music – so is life, a passing breeze! All I own is this moment! O night, do you see stars blinking hidden amidst the darkest clouds? O life, can you inhale the fragrance of unborn flowers dancing wet in the rain?
O life, do you hear a song from the farthest skies, a secret melody of silence that I cherish deep within? "
― Preeth Nambiar , The Solitary Shores
47
" The Marquess shrugged. “I’m a shadow. I do know I am a shadow, Iago. I know most of the time. It’s only when I cannot bear how everyone looks at me down here that I make myself forget it. Shadows are the other side of yourself. I had longings to be good, even then. I was just stronger than my wanting. I’m stronger than anything, really, when I want to be.” The Marquess’s hair turned white as the snow. “Do you know, we’re right underneath Springtime Parish? This place is the opposite of springtime. Everything past prime, boarded up for the season. Just above us, the light shines golden on daffodils full of rainwine and heartgrass and a terrible, wicked, sad girl I can’t get back to. I don’t even know if I want to. Do I want to be her again? Or do I want to be free? I come here to think about that. To be near her and consider it. I think I shall never be free. I think I traded my freedom for a better story. It was a better story, even if the ending needed work. "
― Catherynne M. Valente , The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There (Fairyland, #2)