When the wounded were screaming, you dreamed of sharing a little house somewhere, of an ordinary life, of a family line, connection. All around him, men were walking silently with their thoughts, reforming their lives, making resolutions. If I ever get out of this lot... They could never be counted, the dreamed-up children, mentally conceived on the walk into Dunkirk, and later made flesh. Ian Mcewan
About This Quote

Walking in silence, walking in the midst of so many, walking in the midst of so many, walking in the midst of… The words are repetitive, but the sentiment is not. The speaker is reminiscing about his time spent at Dunkirk, but what he is really remembering are things that he would have liked to have said to the men around him. He has walked among them for too long without saying what he wanted to say. It’s time the speaker realizes this and speaks up. The wounded were screaming, you dreamed…

Source: Atonement

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  1. When it's gone, you'll know what a gift love was. You'll suffer like this. So go back and fight to keep it.
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