Brushes Quote by Samuel R. Delany
“Now for me, you're the irreplaceable one: I've never see you up so close before, and I do not understand you at all. You say sometimes I act like I don't see you? I don't even know where to look! Living with you around is like is like living with a permanent dazzle. The fact that you even like me, or look at me, or brush by me, or hug me, or hold me, is so surprising that after it's over I have to go back through it a dozen times in my head to savor it and try and figure out what it was like because I was too busy being astounded while it was happening.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany, 1975
The speaker is overwhelmed by an intense, almost blinding attraction to someone they cannot fully comprehend, feeling both astonished and confused by the experience.
In simple terms: Intense attraction that feels bewildering and dazzling.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the wonder, even if you don’t fully understand.
Themes
love
confusion
wonder
intimacy
Mood
awed
conflicted
hopeful
Type
personal
romantic
When to use this quote
- first encounter
- romantic infatuation
- personal reflection
- emotional overload
Key Concepts
psychological awe
human connection
unrequited feeling
Questions to Reflect On
- What draws you to someone you can’t understand?
- How do you balance awe with self‑knowledge?
A Different Perspective
The feeling may be fleeting or one‑sided, limiting lasting fulfillment.
