Clockwork Angels

by Kevin J. Anderson

Optimism is the best fertilizer.

Everyone has to see his own shapes in the clouds, and some people don’t see any at all. That’s just how it is.

In a world where I feel so small I can’t stop thinking big

The best place to start an adventure is with a quiet, perfect life . . . and someone who realizes that it can’t possibly be enough.

Steel wheels rolled along the metal lines, and the engines huffed.

Would he ever see Crown City and the Clockwork Angels? Ever meet the Watchmaker in his tower? Ever sail the Western Sea?

“Nothing in life survives without a few scuffs and dents. It adds character, and it tastes just as good, maybe a little better.”

headlong flight,

anywhere but here.

one little victory,

mean stride

All I know is that sometimes you have to be wary Of a miracle too good to be true

What did I see? Fool that I was A goddess, with wings on her heels All my illusions Projected on her The ideal, that I wanted to see What did I know? Fool that I was Little by little, I learned My friends were dismayed To see me betrayed But they knew they could never tell me

All that you can do is wish them well Spirits turned bitter by the poison of envy Always angry and dissatisfied Even the lost ones, the frightened and mean ones Even the ones with a devil inside Thank your stars you’re not that way Turn your back and walk away Don’t even pause and ask them why Turn around and say goodbye People who judge without a measure of mercy All the victims who will never learn Even the lost ones, you can only give up on Even the ones who make you burn The ones who’ve done you wrong The ones who pretended to be so strong The grudges you’ve held for so long It’s not worth singing that same sad song Even though you’re going through hell Just keep on going Let the demons dwell Just wish them well