Quote by Nicole Krauss

Maybe the first time you saw her you were ten. She was standing in the sun scratching her legs. Or tracing letters in the dirt with a stick. Her hair was being pulled. Or she was pulling someone's hair. And a part of you was drawn to her, and a part of you resisted--wanting to ride off on your bicycle, kick a stone, remain uncomplicated. In the same breath you felt the strength of a man, and a self-pity that made you feel small and hurt. Part of you thought: Please don't look at me. If you don't, I can still turn away. And part of you thought: Look at me.

Maybe the first time you saw her you were ten. She was stand

Summary

This quote describes a conflicting mix of emotions that arise when encountering someone for the first time. The observer is initially drawn to the person, possibly due to their youthful innocence or carefree nature. However, there is also a resistance to this attraction, a desire to remain unburdened and avoid emotional complications. The observer experiences conflicting feelings of both strength and vulnerability, wanting to be seen yet also fearful of the potential consequences. Both the impulse to be noticed and the urge to hide are present in this moment of initial connection.

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By Nicole Krauss

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