xo Orpheus Quotes

“What is the deepest loss that you have suffered? If drinking is bitter, change yourself to wine. —from Sonnets to Orpheus II, 29 Rainer Maria Rilke”
― Kate Bernheimer, xo Orpheus: Fifty New Myths

“It was as if every other joy in the world existed only to give a distant glimpse of that one.”
― Kate Bernheimer, xo Orpheus: Fifty New Myths

“Ogres bumbled, and erred, but their weaknesses were not hidden and this helped them, in the long run.”
― Kate Bernheimer, xo Orpheus: Fifty New Myths

“Not comforting to see pain and death but just to see what she could not let herself imagine and therefore ruled her.”
― Kate Bernheimer, xo Orpheus: Fifty New Myths

“We, in our less than divine wisdom but apparently quite divine powers, are now transforming the planet like an Olympian might have created an Ice Age, or a Titan might have thrown down an asteroid from the sky to kill off a bunch of dinosaurs.

We are the gods.

Our scientists have said so.”
― Kate Bernheimer, xo Orpheus: Fifty New Myths

“Another gift is Pansy’s love. Bathed in that love, Lyle in turn is gentle with other kids, especially with kids uneasy under their bragging, kids really as frightened as rabbits when a hawk darkens their world. Lyle’s underweight presence steadies them, and he is sought after—but not exactly as a friend. He is more like Anansi the helpful spider of his favorite tales—a quiet ally who prefers his own company but skitters over to join you when you need him.”
― Kate Bernheimer, xo Orpheus: Fifty New Myths