Because I could not stop for death he kindly stopped for me, or paused at least to strike a glancing blow with his sky-blue mouth as he passed.

I believe that the people who survive a cataclysm, rather than those who stand by and analyze it, are nearly always the more credible witnesses to their own history.

The artist deals with what cannot be said in words. The novelist says in words what cannot be said in words.

Every time I step onto an airplane, I turn to the right and take a good, hard stare into the maw of the engine. I don't know what I'm looking for. I just do it.

I don't understand how any good art could fail to be political.

I don't bring expectations to any of my books. I don't tell people what to do. I want to invite them in.

Don't wait for the muse. She has a lousy work ethic. Writers just write.