Defensive Line

Famous quotes containing the words defensive and/or line:

    Stay-at-home mothers, . . . their self-esteem constantly assaulted, . . . are ever more fervently concerned that their offspring turn out better so they won’t have to stoop to say “I told you so.” Working mothers, . . . their self-esteem corroded by guilt, . . . are praying their kids turn out functional so they can stop being defensive and apologetic and instead assert “See? I did do it all.”
    Melinda M. Marshall (20th century)

    This wild night, gathering the washing as if it were flowers
    animal vines twisting over the line and
    slapping my face lightly, soundless merriment
    in the gesticulations of shirtsleeves ...
    Denise Levertov (b. 1923)