Woke up this morning with a terrific urge to lie in bed all day and read. Fought against it for a minute. Then looked out the window at the rain. And gave over. Put myself entirely in the keep of this rainy morning. Would I live my life over again? Make the same unforgivable mistakes? Yes, given half a chance. Yes.
I loved you so much once. I did. More than anything in the whole wide world. Imagine that. What a laugh that is now. Can you believe it? We were so intimate once upon a time I can't believe it now. The memory of being that intimate with somebody. We were so intimate I could puke. I can't imagine ever being that intimate with somebody else. I haven't been.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on a once-deep romantic intimacy that has faded, invoking both nostalgia and disbelief.
In this poignant quote, Raymond Carver expresses a profound sense of loss and disbelief regarding a past intimate relationship. The speaker acknowledges having loved deeply and shared a significant bond, contrasting it with the current state of disconnection and the inability to replicate such intimacy with anyone else. Through a mix of affection and humor, the quote captures the complexities of love, memory, and the painful realization of how relationships can change over time.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote is perfect for a reflective moment at a wedding, highlighting the evolution of love.
More from Raymond Carver
All quotes →Fiction shows the external effects of internal conditions. Be aware of the tension between internal and external movement.
Every great or even every very good writer makes the world over according to his own specifications.
When I'm writing, I write every day. It's lovely when that's happening. One day dovetailing into the next. Sometimes I don't even know what day of the week it is.
It's strange. You never start out life with the intention of becoming a bankrupt or an alcoholic or a cheat and a thief. Or a liar.
When you're writing fiction or poetry... it really comes down to this: indifference to everything except what you're doing... A young writer could do worse than follow the advice given in those lines.
Similar quotes
Yes, that's right... love should come before logic ... Only then will man come to understand the meaning of life.
However much I might try to expound or explain Love, when I come to Love itself, I am ashamed of my explanations... Love alone can explain the mysteries of love and lovers.
When a man's hand touches the hand of a woman, they both touch the heart of eternity.
Alyosha's heart could not bear uncertainty, for the nature of his love was always active. He could not love passively; once he loved, he immediately also began to help.
Fair tresses man's imperial race ensnare; And beauty draws us with a single hair.
It is the nature of love to love as much as we feel we are loved and to love whatever the one we love loves.