I grew up in New York City in Greenwich Village and had parents who were somewhat bohemian so I was always on the nonconformist side of the equation.

If I smashed the traditions it was because I knew no traditions. I'm the girl with the unquenchable thirst.

My mother started taking us to church when I was in seventh or eight grade. That was always a question, Do you believe in God?

I get very upset when money is being cut and people can't visit the Grand Canyon.

I hope I'm not implying role of contemporary poet for myself, although there's a kind of resonant paradigm. It's traditionally a difficult role.

The beat literary movement is strong because of those very challenging and individual relationships and styles and contention and so on. So I just feel blessed by this kind of opportunity that came from it. It was a kind of seed.

I think anything that gets people outside [is good] - I'm a big supporter of public parks and public spaces.