Harvest Moon Quotes

“Three men and they all took something from me: my affection, my promise, and my innocence. What has love given me...? Nothing. Nothing but pain.”
― Jenny Knipfer, Harvest Moon

“God does not desire evil for us. He wants to set our feet upon a sure path. This doesn’t mean we will not face trouble, only that He will be with us to guide us through it.”
― Jenny Knipfer, Harvest Moon

“Maang-ikwe told me one night how I had sprung from a place of desire, anger, and fear. But my mother also told me, “It does not matter how we begin. It matters how we end.” She pointed out, “Pain brings a richer harvest than contentment.”

I think she was right. For as I look around at the people present, I am thankful for the harvest of lives which came birthed from painful places.”
― Jenny Knipfer, Harvest Moon

“I press her small hand between my large ones and linger a moment
before I let her go. I walk back to town somewhat deflated. Nothing was as I had expected, but, then, most of life usually takes one by surprise.”
― Jenny Knipfer, Harvest Moon

“I imagined her taller.

My mother stands in front of me. She leans more of her slight weight
on her right leg. A hide pack rests against her back. The long skirt she wears touches almost to the ground; its fringe brushes the blades of green grass. A plentiful, red, calico blouse adorns the top of her body. It flounces out around her waist and makes her appear smaller, child- like. Her black, shiny braid of hair ropes around her shoulder. One small streak of silver hides in its weave. Her eyes meet mine. I don’t move, and neither does she. She has the blackest eyes I’ve ever seen.

Crow black.”
― Jenny Knipfer, Harvest Moon

“Their softness stuns me. I press my lips to hers, and we test new waters together. A kiss. A tilt and turn of the head. A release. Deeper this time. She captures my eyes once more before we dive into the depths of our mouths, sharing the mutual fire we hold for one another.
We slow, release, and breathe. My air exchanged with hers.

“Come back to me, Niin-mawin, or you will have another woman crying for you.”

“I will,” I promise.

Her words have made me think of a scenario I hadn’t thought of before: Maybe Maang-ikwe didn’t want to give me up.”
― Jenny Knipfer, Harvest Moon

“Just the right rock calls to me. I crouch and finger the worn, smooth spots on its oblong surface. Its weight rests in my hand for a few seconds, before I hurl the cold, blue stone into the lake and turn and walk towards home. My feet catch in the scrubby border of the pebbly shore. Evening approaches over Lake Nipigon, and the sky, the color of a beaver’s tooth, burns at the edge of the horizon in the last rays of the sun.
Why did she not want me? The question shadows every other thought in my mind and wounds my soul.”
― Jenny Knipfer, Harvest Moon

“My mother always said that one day I’d get ripped open by my stubbornness, and she was right. It’s my fool, stubborn heart which led to Ignacio’s banishment and will most likely lead to mine.”
― Jenny Knipfer, Harvest Moon

“What name do I give him? That should be his father’s job, his vision. I think hard. I don’t want to wait for a dream to come. I give him the name he came with.
Niin-mawin—I cry for him.”
― Jenny Knipfer, Harvest Moon