April 26. I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race.
James Joyce, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Last sentence on the last page. Happy birthday to Joe; enjoy this Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man:
April 27. Old father, old artificer, stand me now and ever in good stead.
“Are you going to put that chair back where it belongs or just leave it there looking like a uterus? (Our balcony is a breezy June balcony.) Are you going to let your face distorted by warring desires pour down on us all through the meal or tidy yourself so we can at least enjoy our dessert? (We weight down the corners of everything on the table with little solid silver laws.) Are you going to nick your throat open on those woodpecker scalps as you do every Sunday night or just sit quietly while Laetitia plays her clarinet for us? (My father, who smokes a brand of cigar called Dimanche Éternel, uses them as ashtrays.)”
Anne Carson | “Short Talk on Sunday Dinner with Father”
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