discover that the world can never be larger than the person that is in the world; but it is impossible to foresee this, it is impossible to be warned.
It is only when time has begun spilling through his fingers like water or sand - carrying away with it, forever, dreams, possibilities, challenges, and hopes - that the young man realizes that he will not be young forever...
We were splitting up, and each of us was going for himself. Or, if not precisely for himself, his own way; some of us took to the needle, some returned to the family business, some made loveless marriages, some ceased fleeing and turned to face the demons that had been on the trail so long.
The luckiest among us were these last, for they managed to go to pieces and then put themselves back together with whatever was left. This may take away one's dreams, but it delivers one to onself. Without this coming together, the longed-for love is never possible, for the confused personality can neither give nor take.
james baldwin
Voyagers
discover that the world can never be larger than the person that is in the world; but it is impossible to foresee this, it is impossible to be warned.
It is only when time has begun spilling through his fingers like water or sand - carrying away with it, forever, dreams, possibilities, challenges, and hopes - that the young man realizes that he will not be young forever...
We were splitting up, and each of us was going for himself. Or, if not precisely for himself, his own way; some of us took to the needle, some returned to the family business, some made loveless marriages, some ceased fleeing and turned to face the demons that had been on the trail so long.
The luckiest among us were these last, for they managed to go to pieces and then put themselves back together with whatever was left. This may take away one's dreams, but it delivers one to onself. Without this coming together, the longed-for love is never possible, for the confused personality can neither give nor take.
- from The New Lost Generation by James Baldwin