Sometimes a man stands up during supper

and walks outdoors, and keeps on walking,

because of a church that stands somewhere in the East.

 

And his children say blessings on him as if he were dead.

And another man, who remains inside his own house,

stays there, inside the dishes and in the glasses,

so that his children have to go far out into the world

toward that same church, which he forgot.

 

—Rainer Maria Rilke

 

 

To everything there is a season, and a time to every

purpose under the heaven.

 

—Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

 

You won’t tell me where you been

Whiskey running all down your chin

I smell a rat, baby

I smell a rat, baby

 

—Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton