It is true that every love is an angel of the abyss. Every lover is a destroyer. I had to be destroyed to become something else. To become more myself. But this freedom? It is worth it. It is worth everything. If this is what it means to be abandoned, then let me be left. Abandon me.

I was not willing to face what feelings existed in me, my vulnerability to the great influx of this life—its vastness of love and hurt and the infinities of other people.

Writing was the obvious choice. But music was the shortcut.

wanted only the rush of breath from my heart to my mouth.

Books were my obsession, but music more succinctly captured emotion than any combination of words I found.

I did not choose my female body. But I chose every image painted on it.

The Minotaurs we need to rescue are never our half brothers. They are always those monstrous parts of ourselves.

I want the people I love to do not as I would or have done, but whatever will keep them safe. That is, whatever will not break my heart.

Showing anyone anything really amounts to removing the last thin film that prevents their seeing what they are looking at.”