"No, I understand now," Auberon said, calm in the woods -- it was so
simple, really. "I didn't, for a long time, but I do now. You just can't
hold people, you can't own them. I mean it's only natural, a natural process
really. Meet. Love. Part. Life goes on. There was never any reason to
expect her to stay always the same -- I mean `in love,' you know." There were
those doubt-quotes of Smoky's, heavily indicated. "I don't hold a grudge. I
can't."
"You do," Grandfather Trout said. "And you don't understand."
-- Little, Big, "John Crowley"
I hold your hand in mine, dear, I press it to my lip
I take a healthy bite from your dainty fingertips,
My joy would be complete, dear, if you were only here,
But still I keep your hand as a precious souvenir....
