Epitaph

The world doesn’t need anything from you, but you need to give the world something. That’s why you’re alive. Kill yourself now, and you’re proving the majority right — you’re no different from the billion other skulls under the ground. But give it something, no matter how short- or long-lasting, and you’ve won.

from the novel A CHILD ACROSS THE SKY

Jonathan Carroll is the author of over 20 novels and short story collections. His latest novel “Bathing the Lion” is now available in trade paperback. If you liked this piece, there’s lots more on his monthly newsletter. You can subscribe here