What was the function of poetry if not to improve the petty, cautious minds of evasive children?

Dullness is a kind of luxury.

I feel empowered to be a different kind of writer. The longer I stay here, the more light filters into my work. I feel very American. I belong.

I am a naturalized U.S. citizen, which means that, unlike native-born citizens, I had to prove to the U.S. government that I merited citizenship.

The traveler feels at home everywhere, because she is never at home anywhere.

What was the function of poetry if not to improve the petty, cautious minds of evasive children?

But, Christ, there's a difference between exotic and foreign, isn't there? Exotic means you know how to use your foreignness, or you make yourself a little foreign in order to appear exotic. Real foreign is a little scary, believe me.