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Of course he wasn't dead. He could never be dead until she herself had finished feeling and thinking. The kiss of his memory made pictures of love and light against the wall. Here was peace. She pulled in her horizon like a great fish-net. Pulled it from around the waist of the world and draped it over her shoulder. So much of life in its meshes! She called in her soul to come and see.

Zora Neale Hurston#8

DeathLifeLoveMemory

About this quote

What does it mean?
Love and peace endure in memory after death; the speaker reclaims life from grief.
In plain terms
He lives in memory until she stops feeling; she gathers life like a net.
What can you take from it?
Grief is temporary; life remains to be lived.

Where it applies

  • mourning
  • reflection
  • personal peace

Putting it to work

  • honor memory
  • continue living

Questions to consider

  • Does memory keep people alive?
  • When does grief end?

Another view

This poetic view may not match the reality of prolonged grief.

More from Zora Neale Hurston

  1. There are years that ask questions and years that answer.

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  2. Gods always behave like the people who make them.

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  3. 'Well, Ah see Mouth-Almighty is still sittin' in de same place. And Ah reckon they got me up in they mouth now.' 'Yes indeed. You know if you pass some people …

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