"Exiles From Their Land, History Their Domicile"
The Still Centre (1939)
Context: The laurelled exiles, kneeling to kiss these sands.
Number there freedom's friends. One who
Within the element of endless summer,
Like leaf in amber, petrified by light,
Studied the root of action. One in a garret
Read books as though he broke up flints.
“To touch is to heal, to hurt is to steal
If you want to kiss the sky, better learn how to kneel.”
Bono (1960) Irish rock musician, singer of U2
"Mysterious Ways"
Lyrics, Achtung Baby (1991)
Context: Johnny, take a dive with your sister in the rain
Let her talk about the things you can't explain
To touch is to heal, to hurt is to steal
If you want to kiss the sky, better learn how to kneel.
On your knees, boy.
“Write in the sand the flaws of your friend.”
Pythagoras (-585–-495 BC) ancient Greek mathematician and philosopher
As quoted in Geary's Guide to the World's Great Aphorists (2007) by James Geary
Bei Dao (1949) contemporary Chinese (PRC) avant garde poet
"Declaration", p. 62
The August Sleepwalker (1990)
George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham (1628–1687) English statesman and poet
Source: Commonplace book, P. 195
Anne Sexton (1928–1974) poet from the United States
"Killing the Love" from The Divorce Papers
45 Mercy Street (1976)
Josephine Bakhita (1868–1947) Italian saint and former slave
Quoted in "St. Josephine Bakhita, Virgin", Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/02/08/st--josephine-bakhita--virgin.html.
Alyson Michalka (1989) American actress and singer
An interview, Pinstripe Magazine, February 7, 2011 http://www.pinstripemag.com/2011/02/alyson-michalka-complex-magazine-interview.html.
