The Little Boy and the Painter Quotes

“why do you paint in the dark'
i ask him
and he looks not at me
but away

'because i cannot bear my own darkness
in the light'
he is quiet for some time
'but inwardly i am told where
there is paint to be
and i paint it there in the dark
so none can see myself truly
burning in the sun”
― Marie Burdett, The Little Boy and the Painter

“i painted it because i dreamed it
because we all dreamed it”
― Marie Burdett, The Little Boy and the Painter

“in case we ever lose each other
always remember this
our sign
and i will find you again
as i go to find my brother'
the painter promises”
― Marie Burdett, The Little Boy and the Painter

“finally he speaks
'if you come into my cave, child
you will not come out again unchanged'
his hands gesture beyond him
trying vainly to describe
something greater than him
'if you come into this deep cave,
down halls few feet have ever trod,
you will not be you again
you will be another you,
a newer you
a blinded yet unblinded being,
footsteps following the footsteps of those
who have painted here before
will you come?”
― Marie Burdett, The Little Boy and the Painter