Edwidge Danticat, The Farming of Bones

"Old age is not meant to be survived alone," Man Rapadou said, her voice trailing with her own hidden thoughts. "Death should come gently, slowly, like a man's hand approaching your body. There can be joy in impatience if there is time to find the joy."

Edwidge Danticat, The Farming of Bones

"Perhaps there had been joy for them in finding that sugar could be made from blood."

Edwidge Danticat, The Farming of Bones

"I once heard an elder say that the dead who have no use for their words leave them as part of their children's inheritance. Proverbs, teeth suckings, obscenities, even grunts and moans once inserted in special places during conversations, all are passed along to the next heir."

Edwidge Danticat, The Farming of Bones