I do feel that if you can write one good sentence and then another good sentence and then another, you end up with a good story.
Amy HempelRead
Then the children went to bed, or at least went upstairs, and the men joined the women for a cigarette on the porch, absently picking ticks engorged like grapes off the sleeping dogs. And when the men kissed the women good night, and their weekend whiskers scratched the women's cheeks, the women did not think shave, they thought stay.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the simple yet profound moments of life and the connections between people.
In this quote by Amy Hempel, the imagery of children going to bed and adults sharing a cigarette on the porch highlights the ordinary yet intimate nature of relationships. It suggests that in the small, mundane actions and thoughts of daily life, deeper feelings of connection and longing are present, as seen when the women prioritize emotional closeness over physical appearances.
Themes
LifeRelationshipsConnectionIntimacyMoments
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared during a family gathering to emphasize the importance of connection.
More from Amy Hempel
All quotes →I sleep with a glass of water on the nightstand so I can see by its level if the coastal earth is trembling or if the shaking is still me.
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if it's true your life flashes past your eyes before you die, then it is also the truth that your life rushes forth when you are ready to start to truly be alive.
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