Buried Quote by David Goodis
““He moved on down the alley, his feet walking forward and his brain swimming backward through a sea of time. It was a dark sea, much darker than the alley. The tide was slow and there were no waves, just tiny ripples that murmured very softly. Telling him about yesterday. Telling him that yesterday could never really be discarded, it was always a part of now. There was just no way to get rid of it. No way to push it aside or throw it into an ash can, or dig a hole and bury it. For all buried memories were nothing more than slow-motion boomerangs, taking their own sweet time to come back. This one had taken seven years.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: Unspecified, 1965
He portrays memory as an inescapable, slow‑returning force that lingers like a boomerang, shaping present perception.
In simple terms: Memories return slowly, influencing the present.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and integrate lingering memories rather than suppress them.
Themes
memory
time
inevitability
Mood
somber
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- therapy
- creative writing
- personal reflection
- mindfulness practice
Key Concepts
psychology
nostalgia
Questions to Reflect On
- How do past events shape your current decisions?
- Can you transform lingering memories into growth?
A Different Perspective
Attempting to erase memories can cause deeper psychological distress.