The understanding of art depends finally upon one's willingness to extend one's humanity. - Ralph Ellison

I ran away into the dark, laughing so hard I feared I might rupture myself.

I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer.

I denounce because though implicated and partially responsible, I have been hurt to the point of abysmal pain, hurt to the point of invisibility. And I defend because in spite of all I find that I love. In order to get some of it down I have to love... too much of your life will be lost, its meaning lost, unless you approach it as much through love as through hate.