Richard Derus

“Goodbye,” I said to my parents, as they handed me over to myself.

“Goodbye,” I said, taking possession.”
― Veronica Henriques, Love from a convict.

“Sex can be either play or labor, depending on the participant's role and reasons for taking part, but as we have eliminated the category of play, there is only one option left. Sexual activity can only be defined as a kind of labor, and all participants would do well to strive for the superior work ethic of the slaves who know they must endure it. You won't hear them cursing and fuming and acting out whole other are trying to nap—trouble springs from the perceived masters of the situation, who trust that their ejaculation, under the right circumstances, is for pleasure, and never realize that their urge is but earthly slavery imposed on them.”
― Harald Voetmann, Awake

“To anyone who has ever felt unappreciated, uninvited, or invisible… Your voice is more powerful than you think. You are allowed to exist without explanation. Never let the world convince you that your struggles are invalid.”
― Lola Akinmade Åkerström, In Every Mirror She's Black

“What was love but one long act of forgiveness, of choosing to return, over and over again.”
― Janika Oza, A History of Burning