Anxiety Quote by Harlan Ellison
““Did you have one of those days today, like a nail in the foot? Did the pterodactyl corpse dropped by the ghost of your mother from the spectral Hindenburg forever circling the Earth come smashing through the lid of your glass coffin? Did the New York strip steak you attacked at dinner suddenly show a mouth filled with needle-sharp teeth, and did it snap off the end of your fork, the last solid-gold fork from the set Anastasia pressed into your hands as they took her away to be shot? Is the slab under your apartment building moaning that it cannot stand the weight on its back a moment longer, and is the building stretching and creaking? Did a good friend betray you today, or did that good friend merely keep silent and fail to come to your aid? Are you holding the razor at your throat this very instant? Take heart, comfort is at hand. This is the hour that stretches. Djan karet. We are the cavalry. We're here. Put away the pills. We'll get you through this bloody night. Next time, it'll be your turn to help us. "Eidolons" (1988)””
About This Quote
Source Book: “Eidolons” (short story collection), 1988
The passage uses surreal, chaotic imagery to convey overwhelming stress and the promise of support during dark times.
In simple terms: Stress feels chaotic but help is near.
Seek support when overwhelmed.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- mental health crisis
- nighttime anxiety
- friend betrayal
- self-harm thoughts
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you cope with overwhelming stress?
- What support systems can you rely on?
May be too intense for some readers, could trigger distress.