Quotes from Philippe Jaccottet

All words are written in the same ink, 'flower' and 'power,' say, are much the same, and though I might write 'blood, blood, blood' all over the page, the paper would not be stained now would I bleed.

Distances" Swifts turn in the heights of the air; higher still turn the invisible stars. When day withdraws to the ends of the earth their fires shine on a dark expanse of sand. We live in a world of motion and distance. The heart flies from tree to bird, from bird to distant star, from star to love; and love grows in the quiet house, turning and working, servant of thought, a lamp held in one hand.

Desgarra de una vez como un trapo estas sombras, engañoso mendigo, cubierto con harapos, rondador de mortajas: es vergüenza fingir a distancia la muerte, basta con sentir miedo cuando esto sea. Ahora ponte una piel de sol y sal afuera igual que un cazador contra el viento, atraviesa como agua fresca y rápida tu vida".