Lee watched the thin hands, the beautiful violet eyes, the flush of excitement on the boy's face. An imaginary hand projected with such force it seemed Allerton must feel the touch of ectoplasmic fingers caressing his ear, phantom thumbs smoothing his eyebrows, pushing the hair back from his face. Now Lee's hands were running down his ribs, the stomach. Lee felt the aching pain of desire in his lungs.
William S. Burroughs Queer
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In this excerpt from "Queer" by William S. Burroughs, the narrator, Lee, observes a boy named Allerton with a mix of admiration and desire. Lee is captivated by Allerton’s delicate features and expresses an intense longing, feeling as if he could reach out and physically touch him, even though this is purely imagined. The vivid description of Allerton’s violet eyes and emotional excitement adds depth to Lee’s feelings, showcasing a moment of intimate connection.

As Lee's hands metaphorically explore Allerton's body, the narrative highlights the complexity of desire and the aching longing that comes with it. Lee’s emotions are palpable as he experiences both pleasure and pain in this charged moment. The intertwining of physical attraction and emotional sensitivity reveals the intensity of Lee’s feelings, and Burroughs captures the essence of human desire in a profound way.

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Queer
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William S. Burroughs
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Other quotes in Queer

Anything that can be accomplished chemically can be accomplished in other ways.
William S. Burroughs Queer
Anything that can be accomplished chemically can be accomplished in other ways.
Lee watched the thin hands, the beautiful violet eyes, the flush of excitement on the boy's face. An imaginary hand projected with such force it seemed Allerton must feel the touch of ectoplasmic fingers caressing his ear, phantom thumbs smoothing his eyebrows, pushing the hair back from his face. Now Lee's hands were running down his ribs, the stomach. Lee felt the aching pain of desire in his lungs.
William S. Burroughs Queer
Lee watched the thin hands, the beautiful violet eyes, the flush of excitement on the boy's face. An imaginary hand projected with such force it seemed Allerton must feel the touch of ectoplasmic fingers caressing his ear, phantom thumbs smoothing his eyebrows, pushing the hair back from his face. Now Lee's hands were running down his ribs, the stomach. Lee felt the aching pain of desire in his lungs.
Sit down on your ass, or what's left of it after four years in the navy.
William S. Burroughs Queer
Sit down on your ass, or what's left of it after four years in the navy.
The rudeness of many Americans depressed him, a rudeness based on a solid ignorance of the whole concept of manners, and on the proposition that for social purposes, all people are more or less equal and interchangeable.
William S. Burroughs Queer
The rudeness of many Americans depressed him, a rudeness based on a solid ignorance of the whole concept of manners, and on the proposition that for social purposes, all people are more or less equal and interchangeable.
Like many people who have nothing to do, he was very resentful of any claims on his time.
William S. Burroughs Queer
Like many people who have nothing to do, he was very resentful of any claims on his time.
Death was in every sell of his body. He gave off a faint, greenish steam of decay. Lee imagined he would glow in the dark.
William S. Burroughs Queer
Death was in every sell of his body. He gave off a faint, greenish steam of decay. Lee imagined he would glow in the dark.
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Relationships and marriages are hard enough, but you add war into the mix and small fissures become gaping wounds. No one sees what you're seeing - again that clear-eyed, unbiased thing - except your fellow soldiers. It's like one of those movies where only the hero can see the ghosts and everyone else thinks the hero is crazy.
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Relationships and marriages are hard enough, but you add war into the mix and small fissures become gaping wounds. No one sees what you're seeing - again that clear-eyed, unbiased thing - except your fellow soldiers. It's like one of those movies where only the hero can see the ghosts and everyone else thinks the hero is crazy.
I think I couldn't love him at all if he was the sort of man to make me choose between him and my writing. And
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I think I couldn't love him at all if he was the sort of man to make me choose between him and my writing. And
Sociologists have a theory of the looking - glass self. You become what the most important person in your life {wife, father, boss, etc.} thinks you are. How would my life change if I truly believed the Bible's astounding words about God's love for me, if I looked in the mirror and saw what God sees?
Philip Yancey What's So Amazing About...
Sociologists have a theory of the looking - glass self. You become what the most important person in your life {wife, father, boss, etc.} thinks you are. How would my life change if I truly believed the Bible's astounding words about God's love for me, if I looked in the mirror and saw what God sees?
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