186 Quotes by Sharon Olds

let’s partequals, as we were in every bed, pureequals of the earth

and my job is to eat the whole car of my anger, part by part, some partsground down to steel-dust.

In his gaze,rooms of the dead; halls of loss; fog-emerald; driven, dirty-rice snow:he was in there somewhere, I looked for him,and he gave me the gift, he let me in,knowing he would never once, in this world or inany other, have to do it again,and I saw him, not as he really was, I wasstill without the strength of anger, but Isaw him see me, even nowthat dropping down into trust's affectionin his gaze, and I held it, some seconds, quiet,and I said, Good-bye, and he said Good-bye

and not to have lost him when he loved me, and not to havelost someone who could have loved me for life.

I feel like his victim, and he seems my victim

Sometimes I don't see exactly how to go on doing this.

I guess that's how people go on, without knowing how.

I am so ashamed before my friends—to be known to be leftby the one who supposedly knew me best,each hour is a room of shame, and I amswimming, swimming holding my head up,smiling, joking, ashamed, ashamed,like being naked with the clothed, or beinga child, having to try to behavewhile hating the terms of your life.

the flesh no one seems now to care to touch.