Because poets feel what we're afraid to feel, venture where we're reluctant to go, we learn from their journeys without taking the same dramatic risks. Diane Ackerman More Quotes by Diane Ackerman More Quotes From Diane Ackerman We evolved as creatures knitted into the fabric of nature, and without its intimate truths, we can find ourselves unraveling. Diane Ackerman unraveling fabric intimate Fear is danger to your body, but disgust is danger to your soul. Diane Ackerman body soul danger What a lonely species we are, searching for signals of life from other galaxies, adopting companion animals, visiting parks and zoos to commune with other beasts. In the process, we discover our shared identity. Diane Ackerman lonely animal zoos Not much is known about alligators. They don't train well. And they're unwieldy and rowdy to work with in laboratories. Diane Ackerman rowdy alligators wells We're losing biodiversity globally at an alarming rate, and we need a cornucopia of different plants and animals, for the planet's health and our own. Diane Ackerman different animal needs We try to exile ourselves more and more from nature - not always consciously: We build houses; we dismiss nature; nature has to be outside, because we're inside. God forbid something like a cockroach comes inside, or some dust. Diane Ackerman dust house trying We're dabbling in eugenics all the time, breeding ideal crops to replace less aesthetic or nutritious or hardy varieties; leveling forests to graze cattle or erect shopping malls and condos; planting groves of a few familiar trees that homeowners and industries prefer. Diane Ackerman eugenics shopping tree An occasion, catalyst, or tripwire?permits the poet to reach into herself and haul up whatever nugget of the human condition distracts her at the moment, something that can't be reached in any other way. Diane Ackerman nuggets moments way Love, like truth, is the unassailable defense. Diane Ackerman truth-is defense love What is erotic? The acrobatic play of the imagination. The sea of memories in which we bathe. The way we caress and worship things with our eyes. Our willingness to be stirred by the sight of the voluptuous. What is erotic is our passion for the liveliness of life. Diane Ackerman passion eye memories Despite not knowing if what he felt from moment to moment would pass or last forever, he entered fully into his shifting states of violent rage, self-pity, longing, heartbreak, cynicism, without losing the ability to think about what was happening to him. That took courage, I thought, living with the suffering in a mindful way, as an artifact of being, neither good nor bad. Diane Ackerman self inspirational thinking What would dawn have been like, had you awakened? It would have sung through your bones. All I can do this morning is let it sing through mine. Diane Ackerman bones dawn morning I'm sure civilizations will still evolve through play, or rather as play, since that seems to be a fundamental mechanism of our humanity. Diane Ackerman humanity play civilization The well of nature is full today. Time to go outside and take a drink. Diane Ackerman drink vices today habit, a particularly insidious thug who chokes passion and smothers love. Habit puts us on autopilot. Diane Ackerman thug passion habit Flight is nothing but an attitude in motion. Diane Ackerman flight flying attitude Adventure is not something you travel to find. It's something you take with you, or you're not going to find it when you arrive. Diane Ackerman adventure travel I hate the fearful trimming of possibilities that age brings. Diane Ackerman possibility hate age If cynicism is inevitable as one ages, so is the yearning for innocence. To children heaven is being an adult, and to adults heaven is being children again. Diane Ackerman age heaven children It's animal by animal that you save a species. Diane Ackerman species animal-rights animal
