State of Nature Quotes

“Leaves will fall, cold will creep in
A circle of life that ends where it begins
It may take a thousand years and a thousand poems penned
But my hair will someday gray and my back will bend—
Then my shadow will join my body in the earth once again.

I know not the way, or even the when
Or who chooses that day we’re called away to ascend
But you bathed me in your bravery and forgave me my sins
You made a home in your heart for mine to live in—
And in return, my friend, this poem is my oath that a river of love will run through it until the very end.”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature

“You are not defined by whoever happened to give you your DNA, Son. You’re defined by your choices. And the choices you make are yours. All yours.”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature

“Hey, Jimmy.”
“Yeah.”
“You ever think about how long we’re going to live?”
“No,” he says. “Not really.”
“Well, why not?”
“I dunno. Guess I’m too busy livin’ it to think about it.”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature

“You can say no if you dun’ wanna do it,” he finally says, “but I was thinkin’ maybe you could teach me to read.”
“Shit, Jimmy, I just gave away my reading slate to Bill.”
“I know it,” he says, “but I didn’t wanna read none of that stuff anyhow.”
“Then what did you want to read?”
“I wanna read those poems you said you might write.”
I can’t help but smile so wide my cheeks hurt.
“Okay, Jimmy. I’m going to write you a poem for your birthday, and then I’m going to teach you how to read it.”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature

“When a child starts doing what’s right even though they don’t want to, that’s when he or she becomes an adult.”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature

“What is it that makes every man stare into a fire, I wonder. Does each see the same thing?”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature

“Sometimes a gift too good to be true can turn out to be a gift too true to be good.”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature

“I meant it,” he says.
“You meant what?”
“What I said in your apartment.”
“You did?”
He nods.
We drop our cloths on the ground and hug each other. The path and the mountains and the entire world seem to slip away beneath us until only he and I remain. Then the sun rises over the peaks and warms my naked back. Of all the birthday gifts ever given in the history of the world, I can’t imagine one better than an embrace like this from your best friend.”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature

“And what creature can look to the stars from where we all came and contemplate the creation of everything from nothing? A woman can. A man. This planet is beautiful only because there are human minds here to discern that beauty from ugliness. Otherwise what is the difference between fragile Earth and the timeless deserts of Mars? What preference would a mindless universe have for one above the other?”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature

“Are we fated to live a nearly eternal life of sadness like Finn, burying our loved ones and our friends? I wish now I had thought things through a little more before taking that serum. Sometimes a gift too good to be true can turn out to be a gift too true to be good.”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature

“You know, for someone who claimed to hate humankind, he sure did love himself.”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature

“We have good reason to, of course. But doesn’t everyone believe their reasons to be just as valid, just as true?”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature

“paths lead into and out of these piles as if it were a huge hill built for a colony of ants the size of people.”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature

“Sometimes a gift too good to be true, can turn out to be too true to be good..”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature

“Subterrenes and Strange Dreams”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature

“I love you.”
The words come out almost in a panic, as if there’s no time. As if he’s about to walk into Eden again, and I’ve got to say it before he disappears behind the door.
“I love you too.”
Jimmy’ response startles me back to the room, the tobacco tin forgotten in my hand. I close it and set it on the counter, afraid of whatever drug it is inside that has me hallucinating.
“I must be losing my mind,” I say, shaking my head. “I thought I just heard you say that you loved me.”
“I did,” Jimmy replies.
“You did?”
“Of course. You said it to me first. It woulda been rude to leave ya hangin’ there, wouldn’t it?”
― Ryan Winfield, State of Nature