It's so rich as a trope - the whole idea of the road and it being in terms of language, being an active experience.

We need a world-wide Department of Peace.

I'm drawn to the magical efficacies of language as a political act.

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.

I was not ever hitchhiking alone. I've done solo train trips but I've never driven myself alone.

I have students whose fathers are voting for Sarah Palin. It's wild.

Think of the road as a kind of zone and a site of incredible diversity.