Quotes by Jeri Smith-Ready

Sorry, she said. I have a psychological disorder that prevents me from keeping thoughts inside my head where they belong.

Go ahead, God, you fat, filthy motherfucker, lightning-bolt my ass into oblivion if youre so tough!

I promise Ill never tell.Dont promise that, he said in an ultraserious voice. If they try to hurt you and the only way to protect yourself is to tell them what you know about me, then you tell them. Straight off, okay?No. Promise me.No!I will possess your heart.Heat flared along the back of my neck. What did you say?My favorite song. I Will Possess Your Heart.By Death Cab for Cutie?He snorted. No, the little known T.I. Hip-hop remix. Yes, Death Cab for Cutie.... Why? Whats wrong with it?Nothing, but it doesnt seem to fit you. Its kind of a sad song. No its pure confident. Its not I want or I need, none of that crap. He slipped his hand over mine. Its I will.A nervous laugh bubbled up. You will, huh?His fingers brushed my cheek, then slid into my hair. I will.

Aura, Im really patient, but Im not a bloody saint.

Beautiful doesnt begin to describe it. A flower is beautiful. But this is beautiful the way that a person is beautiful- terrifying with its jagged edges, yet seductive with its crevices that hide so many secrets.

Im more of a dog person. But I admire cats and their ability to take so much while giving so little.

This time of year, she said, people’s consciences gnaw at them. They give away truckloads of canned goods and quote Dickens and wring their hands over the ‘less fortunate.’ We boarded the Metro and took seats perpendicular to each other. But God forbid anyone should address why they’re poor in the first place, or try to change the structures that keep them poor. Then the ‘less fortunate’ turn into ‘welfare queens’ and ‘derelicts.’ But if I were a lobbyist whoring on behalf of some transnational corporation, I’d never hear the word ‘derelict.’So when it comes to taking care of poor people, I said, if Mother Teresa is the Hallmark card, then you’re the electric bill.

Ignorance is the worlds most curable affliction.

Aura, he whispered, I wish I could wipe away just one of your tears. Then Idfeel like a person again. Like Im something more than a bunch of light.