There have always been poets who performed. Blake sang his Songs of Innocence and Experience to parties of friends.

Most people ignore most poetry because most poetry ignores most people.

There have always been poets who performed. Blake sang his Songs of Innocence and Experience to parties of friends.

Written poetry is different. Best thing is to see it in performance first, then read it. Performance is more provocative.

I use the language I use to my friends. They wouldn't believe me if I used some high-flown literary language. I want them to believe me.

I use rock and jazz and blues rhythms because I love that music. I hope my poetry has a relationship with good-time rock'n roll.

I want to speak, to sing to total strangers. It's my way of talking to the world.