--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I haven't been kissed in a long…" description: "\"“When I haven't been kissed in a long time, I walk behind well-dressed women on cold, December mornings and shovel the steamy exhalations pluming from ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33f/jeffrey-mcdaniel-17829_kissed_when-i-haven-t-been-kissed-in-a-long-tim_690391.jpg" --- # When I haven't been kissed in a long time, I walk behind… ![“When I haven't been kissed in a long time, I walk behind well-dressed women on cold, December mornings and shovel the steamy exhalations pluming from their lips down my throat with both hands, hoping a single molecule will cling to my lungs. When I haven't been kissed in a long time, I sneak into…” quote by Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33f/jeffrey-mcdaniel-17829_kissed_when-i-haven-t-been-kissed-in-a-long-tim_690391.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33f/jeffrey-mcdaniel-17829_kissed_when-i-haven-t-been-kissed-in-a-long-tim_690391.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33f/jeffrey-mcdaniel-17829_kissed_when-i-haven-t-been-kissed-in-a-long-tim_690391.jpg) > ““When I haven't been kissed in a long time, I walk behind well-dressed women on cold, December mornings and shovel the steamy exhalations pluming from their lips down my throat with both hands, hoping a single molecule will cling to my lungs. When I haven't been kissed in a long time, I sneak into the ladies room of a fancy restaurant, dig into the trashcan for a napkin where a woman checked her lipstick, then go home, light candles, put on Barry White, and press the napkin all over my body. When I haven't been kissed in a long time, I start thinking leeches are the most romantic creatures, cause all they want to do is kiss. If only someone invented a kinder, gentler leech, I'd paint it bright pink and pretend Winona Ryder's lips crawled off her face, up my thigh, and were sucking on my swollen bicep. When I haven't been kissed in a long time, I create civil disturbances, then insult the cops who show up, till one of them grabs me by the collar and hurls me up against the squad car, so I can remember, at least for a moment, what it's like to be touched.”” [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Desperate longing for intimacy drives extreme, often absurd, behaviors to feel connection. **In simple terms:** Extreme actions stem from deep loneliness. Key Takeaway Seek healthy connections instead of harmful extremes. Themes loneliness desire obsession Mood melancholic introspective Type literary psychological When to use this quote - relationship building - therapy - creative expression - self‑reflection - social interaction Key Concepts psychology human need coping mechanisms Questions to Reflect On - Why do you seek connection in harmful ways? - What healthier ways can you fulfill this need? A Different Perspective Such extremes can damage self‑esteem and relationships. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bright Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bright-pink/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“We live in a modern society. Husbands and wives don't grow on trees, like in the old days. So where does one find love?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/we-live-in-a-modern-society-husbands-and-wives-don-t-grow-on-trees/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [There's a theory about fame: the moment it strikes, it arrests development. Michael Jackson remained suspended in childhood, enjoying sleepovers and funfairs; Winona Ryder,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jemima-khan/there-s-a-theory-about-fame-the-moment-it-strikes-it-arrests/) [Jemima Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jemima-khan/) > [“That's why an Angelina Jolie is always going to win over a Winona Ryder. Fuckups are more interesting.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-demarco/that-s-why-an-angelina-jolie-is-always-going-to-win-over-a-winona/) Kathleen DeMarco > [“Careful analysis of this scene reveals that all of the teenagers behind Halliday are actually extras from various John Hughes teen films who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/careful-analysis-of-this-scene-reveals-that-all-of-the-teenagers/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [They used to say I was a younger Winona Ryder and that always made me laugh because I'm three years older than she is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moira-kelly/they-used-to-say-i-was-a-younger-winona-ryder-and-that-always-made-me/) [Moira Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moira-kelly/) > [Everyone always asks me, 'What advice did they give you on set?' but when you work with amazing actors like Anjelica Huston, Winona Ryder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-schnapp/everyone-always-asks-me-what-advice-did-they-give-you-on-set-but-when/) [Noah Schnapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-schnapp/) > ['Black Swan' was absolutely unbelievable. I had always dreamed of working with Darren Aronofsky, and Natalie Portman, Winona Ryder, Barbara Hershey, Mila Kunis and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-solo/black-swan-was-absolutely-unbelievable-i-had-always-dreamed-of/) [Ksenia Solo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-solo/) > [I've been a huge Winona Ryder fan for a while. I'm one of four girls, so there are four sisters, so we used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-ve-been-a-huge-winona-ryder-fan-for-a-while-i-m-one-of-four-girls/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [Being with Winona Ryder, she's so good at what she does that she makes my job easier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-schnapp/being-with-winona-ryder-she-s-so-good-at-what-she-does-that-she-makes/) [Noah Schnapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-schnapp/) > [I love the nostalgic feel of the '80s and, oh, I love Winona Ryder so much. I was such a huge fan of hers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-love-the-nostalgic-feel-of-the-80s-and-oh-i-love-winona-ryder-so/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [My insane mascara layering is my private homage to Winona Ryder's amazing peepers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barrett-wilbert-weed/my-insane-mascara-layering-is-my-private-homage-to-winona-ryder-s/) [Barrett Wilbert Weed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barrett-wilbert-weed/) > [I've always been fond of Winona Ryder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-slater/i-ve-always-been-fond-of-winona-ryder/) [Christian Slater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-slater/) > [Uma Thurman, Winona Ryder, Michelle Pfeffer,Elizabeth Hurley, Dorothy Hamel? Honey you do know, she only spins like that on ice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-green/uma-thurman-winona-ryder-michelle-pfeffer-elizabeth-hurley-dorothy/) [Rachel Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-green/) > [You know something has really stuck in Tim's head when he's drawn what the character looks like. Weird Girl and Elsa actually switched places,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-august/you-know-something-has-really-stuck-in-tim-s-head-when-he-s-drawn/) [John August](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-august/) > [I was an extreme tomboy. I did competitive gymnastics for over 10 years. I cut my hair like Winona Ryder, with that little pixie cut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serinda-swan/i-was-an-extreme-tomboy-i-did-competitive-gymnastics-for-over-10/) [Serinda Swan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serinda-swan/) ## More by Jeffrey McDaniel > [I swallowed a hand grenade that never stops exploding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/i-swallowed-a-hand-grenade-that-never-stops-exploding/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [Now I'm just like everybody else, and it's so funny, the way monogamy is funny, the way someone falling down in the street is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/now-i-m-just-like-everybody-else-and-it-s-so-funny-the-way-monogamy/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [I've been ignored by prettier women than you, but none who carried the heavy pitchers of silence so far, without spilling a drop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/i-ve-been-ignored-by-prettier-women-than-you-but-none-who-carried-the/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [“Reminiscing in the drizzle of Portland, I notice the ring that’s landed on your finger, a massive insect of glitter, a chandelier shining at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/reminiscing-in-the-drizzle-of-portland-i-notice-the-ring-that-s/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [“Hey you, dragging the halo- how about a holiday in the islands of grief? Tongue is the word I wish to have with you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/hey-you-dragging-the-halo-how-about-a-holiday-in-the-islands-of-grief/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [“Sometimes I hate this language with its false words like sunset. The sun does not set. It doesn't rise either. It just stays there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/sometimes-i-hate-this-language-with-its-false-words-like-sunset-the/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [“Disasterology The Badger is the thirteenth astrological sign. My sign. The one the other signs evicted: unanimously. So what? ! Think I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/disasterology-the-badger-is-the-thirteenth-astrological-sign-my-sign/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [Even when I'm dead, I'll swim through the Earth, like a mermaid of the soil, just to be next to your bones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/even-when-i-m-dead-i-ll-swim-through-the-earth-like-a-mermaid-of-the/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [No rescue boat can save the touches I left bobbing in the wild ocean of your flesh, but if they cut open your heart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/no-rescue-boat-can-save-the-touches-i-left-bobbing-in-the-wild-ocean/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [Once I thought I found love, but then I realized I was just out of cigarettes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/once-i-thought-i-found-love-but-then-i-realized-i-was-just-out-of/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [“I'm sitting opposite you in the bar, waiting for you to uncross your boundaries. I want to rip off your logic and make passionate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/i-m-sitting-opposite-you-in-the-bar-waiting-for-you-to-uncross-your/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [But one kiss levitates above all the others. The intersection of function and desire. The I do kiss. The I’ll love you through a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/but-one-kiss-levitates-above-all-the-others-the-intersection-of/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [“The Quiet World In an effort to get people to look into each other’s eyes more, and also to appease the mutes, the government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/the-quiet-world-in-an-effort-to-get-people-to-look-into-each-other-s/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [I want to rip off your logic and make passionate sense to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/i-want-to-rip-off-your-logic-and-make-passionate-sense-to-you/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [When you were sleeping on the sofa I put my ear to your ear and listened to the echo of your dreams. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/when-you-were-sleeping-on-the-sofa-i-put-my-ear-to-your-ear-and/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) [Explore all 36 Jeffrey McDaniel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) ## More Kissed quotes > [The way we sparked, I felt like love can conqor any limmits and still have a smile on your face. I still love the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaitlynn-theirl/the-way-we-sparked-i-felt-like-love-can-conqor-any-limmits-and-still/) Kaitlynn Theirl > [“Rodrigo tried to draw a deep breath, but his chest was too filled with anguish, rage and guilt. He kissed his ash-coated fingers. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-valdez/rodrigo-tried-to-draw-a-deep-breath-but-his-chest-was-too-filled-with/) [Lisa Valdez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-valdez/) > [“Being held by him, kissed and mastered, taken under and swept away, enthralled her in a way she—an independent woman if nothing else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-sumner/being-held-by-him-kissed-and-mastered-taken-under-and-swept-away/) [Tracy Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-sumner/) > [Kiss From A Rose There used to be a graying tower alone on the sea. You became the light on the dark side of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seal/kiss-from-a-rose-there-used-to-be-a-graying-tower-alone-on-the-sea/) [Seal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seal/) > [“While Emma pressed the unlock button on her key fob, Aidan started walking away, but then he stopped. He turned back and shook his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-ashley/while-emma-pressed-the-unlock-button-on-her-key-fob-aidan-started/) [Katie Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-ashley/) > [“You are my everything,” Julie said. “You are challenging, and difficult, and guarded. I love those things about you. You are fascinating, and complex,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-park/you-are-my-everything-julie-said-you-are-challenging-and-difficult/) [Jessica Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-park/) > [“He kissed like he was drowning and I was air. It was passionate, and desperate, and like nothing I had ever experienced before. This”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-han/he-kissed-like-he-was-drowning-and-i-was-air-it-was-passionate-and/) [Jenny Han](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-han/) > [The first time I kissed you my knees went weak I literally lost my breath!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/the-first-time-i-kissed-you-my-knees-went-weak-i-literally-lost-my/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [He put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her full on the mouth. His skin was wet with rain. When she didn't pull…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelia-funke/he-put-his-hands-on-her-shoulders-and-kissed-her-full-on-the-mouth/) [Cornelia Funke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelia-funke/) > [“How can you love me if you don’t even know me?” He lifted my arms around his neck and placed his hands on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denyse-cohen/how-can-you-love-me-if-you-don-t-even-know-me-he-lifted-my-arms/) Denyse Cohen > [“Best surprise ever.” I whispered in his face. Then I leaned in and kissed him hard and deep like it was the last kiss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-larsen/best-surprise-ever-i-whispered-in-his-face-then-i-leaned-in-and/) [K. Larsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-larsen/) > [“Taking Mike home is a great idea," Donny said. "See you tomorrow. Thanks for your help." Gabe kissed her hand. "I'll be back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwen-hayes/taking-mike-home-is-a-great-idea-donny-said-see-you-tomorrow-thanks/) [Gwen Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwen-hayes/) > [“He dipped his head and kissed along my jaw. 'I promise, nothing about being inside you will disappoint me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-r-martin/he-dipped-his-head-and-kissed-along-my-jaw-i-promise-nothing-about/) [Kelley R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-r-martin/) > [He decided then that he would love her forever no matter what came to pass. It was not so much a matter of deciding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-guterson/he-decided-then-that-he-would-love-her-forever-no-matter-what-came-to/) [David Guterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-guterson/) > [He kissed me, though not in a sexy way. Gentle. Tender.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-zevin/he-kissed-me-though-not-in-a-sexy-way-gentle-tender/) [Gabrielle Zevin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-zevin/) Browse all 2,545 Kissed quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When I haven't been kissed in a long time, I walk behind well-dressed women on cold, December mornings and shovel the steamy exhalations pluming from their lips down my throat with both hands, hoping a single molecule will cling to my lungs. When I haven't been kissed in a long time, I sneak into the ladies room of a fancy restaurant, dig into the trashcan for a napkin where a woman checked her lipstick, then go home, light candles, put on Barry White, and press the napkin all over my body. When I haven't been kissed in a long time, I start thinking leeches are the most romantic creatures, cause all they want to do is kiss. If only someone invented a kinder, gentler leech, I'd paint it bright pink and pretend Winona Ryder's lips crawled off her face, up my thigh, and were sucking on my swollen bicep. When I haven't been kissed in a long time, I create civil disturbances, then insult the cops who show up, till one of them grabs me by the collar and hurls me up against the squad car, so I can remember, at least for a moment, what it's like to be touched.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jeffrey McDaniel" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/when-i-haven-t-been-kissed-in-a-long-time-i-walk-behind-well-dressed/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Kissed" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/when-i-haven-t-been-kissed-in-a-long-time-i-walk-behind-well-dressed/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33f/jeffrey-mcdaniel-17829_kissed_when-i-haven-t-been-kissed-in-a-long-tim_690391.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33f/jeffrey-mcdaniel-17829_kissed_when-i-haven-t-been-kissed-in-a-long-tim_690391.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33f/jeffrey-mcdaniel-17829_kissed_when-i-haven-t-been-kissed-in-a-long-tim_690391.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I haven't been kissed in a long time, I walk behind well-dressed women on cold, December mornings and…” — Jeffrey McDaniel", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jeffrey McDaniel", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“When I haven't been kissed in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/when-i-haven-t-been-kissed-in-a-long-time-i-walk-behind-well-dressed/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/when-i-haven-t-been-kissed-in-a-long-time-i-walk-behind-well-dressed/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```