Stolid

She got so she received all things
with the stolidness of the earth
which soaks up urine and perfume
with the same indifference.
-- Zora Neale Hurston, "Their Eyes Were Watching God"

Words

Her old thoughts
were going to come in handy now,
but new words
would have to be made and said
to fit them.
-- Zora Neale Hurston, "Their Eyes Were Watching God"

Gods

All gods who receive homage are cruel.
All gods dispense suffering without reason.
Otherwise they would not be worshipped.
Through indiscriminate suffering
men know fear
and fear is the most divine emotion.
It is the stones for altars
and the beginning of wisdom.
Half gods are worshipped
in wine and flowers.
Real gods require blood.
-- Zora Neale Hurston, "Their Eyes Were Watching God"