Quotes from Brian Keenan

Once again Chile reduces us to what R. L. Stevenson called 'the virginity of senses' where words cannot match the impressions received.

The accepted view appears to be that Neruda represent the real Chile: a place of poetry, freedom of spirit and international enterprise.

I have that feeling, which I have had often in Chile, that while human beings can make efforts to control, tame and use this place, clearing forests, marking boundaries, their influence here is only transitory.

We both instinctively knew never to share weakness until we understood it. 'Share only strength' was an unspoken motto between us.

Consolation is about sharing loneliness and making it bearable.

There is my father sun! You see now only by his wish; yet try to see into him and he will darken your eyes for ever. With hot burning he pulls up the corn and we will feed. With cold burning he shrinks it and we starve. These are his burning and our life. Do not speak to me of your god. He is nowhere.