Saying Quote by Richard Siken
““There’s smashed glass glittering everywhere like stars. It’s a Western, Henry. It’s a downright shoot-em-up. We’ve made a graveyard out of the bone white afternoon. It’s another wrong-man-dies scenario, and we keep doing it Henry, keep saying until we get it right … but we always win and we never quit. See, we’ve won again, here we are at the place where I get to beg for it, where I get to say Please, for just one night, will you lie down next to me, we can leave our clothes on, we can stay all buttoned up … But we both know how it goes—I say I want you inside me and you hold my head underwater. I say I want you inside me and you split me open with a knife.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Crush” from the collection “War of the Foxes”, 2004
The poem juxtaposes violent, chaotic imagery with intimate desire, exploring how love and aggression intertwine.
In simple terms: Violence and love are tangled, creating a raw, conflicted yearning.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge the darkness in desire.
Themes
love
violence
desire
conflict
Mood
dark
intense
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- relationships
- artistic expression
- personal struggle
Key Concepts
psychological tension
intimacy
self‑destruction
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the violent imagery reveal about the speaker?
- How can one seek intimacy without self‑harm?
A Different Perspective
Romanticizing harmful dynamics can be dangerous.
