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Gone as usual in the morning, and me left behind and…

“Gone as usual in the morning, and me left behind and naked, inner thighs lightly scaled with the dried spoor of our lovemaking: she liked to stay on top afterward and let the juice run down, and I liked whatever she liked. Imagining in the shower that I could smell her still, the angular scent of…” quote by Kathe Koja
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““Gone as usual in the morning, and me left behind and naked, inner thighs lightly scaled with the dried spoor of our lovemaking: she liked to stay on top afterward and let the juice run down, and I liked whatever she liked. Imagining in the shower that I could smell her still, the angular scent of those secret bones, had she always smelled so fierce and so good? Recalling those gone times, old memories lit by the fire of the new, I did not this time wonder how long it would last; I was too smart for that now. Take what you get, and don’t think. Of course it could never be that easy, but there were moments, like now, that I could successfully pretend that it was, and I had no inclination to try to peer past those moments. I’m not one who wants to know the future: at the best it spoils the present, with longing or dismay, and at the worst, well. Who really wants to find out how tight the sling is, for your own very personal ass, who wants to know how deep the shit will really be? Not you. Not me either. Because it’s rarely bliss saved up, is it, when you finally get there. I’ll take my now, waking with a lover’s scent on me, around me, take my hopes before they’re maybe tragedy; a good morning is still a good morning, even if it leads to apocalypse at night.””

Kathe Koja

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The narrator reflects on fleeting intimacy, savoring present sensations while avoiding future anxieties, embracing the moment despite its impermanence.

In simple terms: Enjoy the present love without overthinking the future.

Key Takeaway

Live fully in the now.

Themes

intimacy ephemerality desire present moment avoidance of future

Mood

melancholic introspective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • romantic encounters
  • personal reflection
  • mindfulness practice

Key Concepts

sensory memory psychological avoidance temporary bliss

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance present pleasure with future planning?
  • What risks arise from ignoring future consequences?
A Different Perspective

The narrative romanticizes avoidance of future worries, which can hinder growth.

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