on the prophets

Jonah himself is a sulking, unwilling prophet, cowardly and petulant. There is no reason why an authentic prophet should be likable: Elijah and Elisha are savage, Jeremiah is a bipolar depressive, Ezekiel a madman.

Harold Bloom, "My Favorite Book in the Bible"

Night is already a thirsty county in Texas,

How long I have listened to you
For news of the opal distances,
Or rain to freshen the morning’s arrival.
What keeps me awake? Nothing
More than a fly’s dysenteric violin.

Averill Curdy, "To the voice of the retired warden of Huntsville Prison (Texas death chamber)"

a marriage