I know how you love this place, he says to me, apologetically yet with satisfaction. And I don't tell him that I am not sure now whether I love any place, and that it seems to me it was myself I loved here - some self that I have finished with, and none too soon.
The quote reflects a complex relationship with place and self. The speaker acknowledges the affection someone has for a particular location, but internally grapples with their own feelings of detachment. They realize that their former love for the place may have been tied to a sense of self that no longer exists or resonates with them. This insight comes with a bittersweet recognition of change and the passage of time.
The speaker conveys a sense of loss, indicating that what they once cherished about the place may have been more about their identity at that time rather than the location itself. As they move forward, they seem to embrace the idea that letting go of this past self is both necessary and timely, suggesting a journey of personal growth and transformation.
