The Sudden Appearance of Hope

by Claire North

“Every human grief you will ever experience has been experienced by humans living and humans yet to come. There is no readiness for it, nor no easing of the pain, but ma’am, for what it’s worth, I think you should know that all of humanity that was, is and will be is with you now, by your side.”

Kafka, Franz, b. 1883, d. 1924, unknown in his lifetime, famous after death. “One of the first signs of understanding is the wish to die.”